“We are all severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the position of the Austrian authorities at the moment is that citizens should be encouraged to be vaccinated, because vaccinating as many people as possible is the right way,” said Austrian Minister for European and International Cooperation Michael Linhart in an interview. for MIA.
– The situation is constantly changing. The numbers of infected citizens in Austria are rising again, and here is the vaccination where we are within the European average. At the moment we think we need to encourage people to get vaccinated. “We now have measures through which people who are not vaccinated do not have as much freedom as those who have been vaccinated, and we have seen that this results in people being willing to be vaccinated,” Linhart said.
He pointed out that after the new restrictive measures in Austria for people who were not vaccinated, last week alone there were about 130,000 people who were vaccinated.
– I think this is the incentive we need. We also see that those vaccinated are less affected by the infection and do not burden intensive care units in hospitals. Therefore, encouraging the vaccination of as many people as possible is the right path and we are directing our efforts in that direction, adds the Austrian Foreign Minister.
In an interview with MIA, Linhart also spoke about the European perspective and the process of accession of the country and the region to the EU, pointing out that Austria cultivates great friendship with Northern Macedonia and that the two countries have a long common history.
– We know the situation in the Western Balkans very well. Herein lies our contribution to this whole process. There are many situations where we can explain the Western Balkans, but also support the countries of the Western Balkans in their explanations of Europe. This is especially important and we are trying to bring more from Europe to the Western Balkans and not just through the accession process. This is very important, especially for young people, to explain to them what Europe is, what its values are and what that common home is. “We need to explain these things to these countries,” Linhart said.
According to him, Austria is convinced that Northern Macedonia is ready for the process of negotiations for membership in the European Union.
– Northern Macedonia is part of Europe and the goal is for Northern Macedonia to become a member of the European Union. Northern Macedonia must be a member of the EU, this is our conviction and I am sure that together we will achieve this goal. “Both sides need to make an effort, certainly with our full support,” Linhart said.
Source: MIA
