EU ambassador summoned for criticising Austria’s Russian gas dependence
www.euractiv.com
Austria’s Foreign Ministry has summoned the head of the EU Commission’s representation in Austria, Martin Selmayr, over his comments highlighting the country’s continued dependence on Russian gas flows and its role in financing the war in Ukraine.

"Oh my God, 55% of Austria’s gas continues to come from Russia,” Martin Selmayr lamented in Vienna. Paying for continued Russian supplies was tantamount to helping finance its war against Ukraine, and no one protested, he added.

  • Yurnero91@feddit.deEnglish
    722·
    10 months ago

    I’m from Austria and I applaud him for saying the truth.

    It’s embarrassing how many austrian politicians are defending the russian gas imports.

    • 0x815@feddit.deOPEnglish
      273·
      10 months ago

      It’s embarrassing how many austrian politicians are defending the russian gas imports.

      Sadly true.

      Why One Country Is Struggling to Break Away From Russian Gas (July 2023)

      Germany, which got 55 percent of its supply from Russia before the war, now imports zero. Poland, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic have halted or are close to halting flows. And Italy has been steadily trimming imports, and pledges to be free of Russian natural gas by the end of this year.

      By contrast, Austria, which received nearly 80 percent of its gas from Russia before the invasion, still got more than half its total from Russia in May. And in March, when demand was higher, the figure reached 74 percent. As long as Russia is selling gas, Austria will buy it, the chief executive of the Austrian energy company OMV Group said this month.

      The government’s difficulties in weaning itself off Russian gas, which it has pledged to do, have drawn complaints from critics who say Austria’s gas payments are helping to finance Moscow’s war machine.

    • gajustempus@feddit.deEnglish
      212·
      10 months ago

      to be fair - Austria has the FPÖ and most of the country doesn’t have any problem with those far-right nuts. So the bar of being embarassed by stuff like that is pretty high already to begin with if you’re in Austria.

    • Microw@lemm.eeEnglish
      3·
      10 months ago

      He absolutely is right.

      But it absolutely dumb to say this at an Event where you are invited to in your representative role, when the EU Commission you are representing doesnt agree with that statement.

      • Quokka@quokk.auEnglish
        6·
        10 months ago

        Nah it’s dumb to remain silent in fear.

        It’s smart to use your platform to push for progress

        • Microw@lemm.eeEnglish
          1·
          10 months ago

          There is diplomatic protocol. If he has the “go” from the commission to criticize Austria, he absolutely should do so. But if he doesnt have that backing, he is actively creating a diplomatic crisis.

          • Quokka@quokk.auEnglish
            1·
            10 months ago

            Oh no, a diplomatic crisis. How horrible. That sounds as bad as the children being killed in Ukraine by Russia.