In an interview with Hans Bürger today, Austria’s Federal Chancellor commented for the first time on the events, both in his role as Chancellor and as EU Presidency:
Chancellor Schüssel: We have called a meeting of the political directors of the EU Member States this afternoon and we shall take this line – restraint, moderation – to the Arab world and to Iran, for every country has the obligation to give protection to the institutions and citizens of other States, to diplomats and installations. We insist on that.
ORF: Will protest notes alone be enough in this volatile situation, where violence has already broken out?
Chancellor Schüssel: The important thing now is for the voice of reason to be more audible and it does exist. I should like to mention that, today, the head of the Turkish government Erdogan published a joint declaration together with the Spanish Prime Minister. The Secretary-General of the Islamic Conference has called for moderation, declaring that violence cannot be a solution in a discussion which pitches religious freedom, the protection of religious sentiment, against the right to freedom of expression. Popular sentiment cannot win the day in this case. It is necessary to proceed with the appropriate judicial means.
ORF: So attempts to use diplomacy will continue, sanctions are not being considered?
Chancellor Schüssel: To be frank, do we really want to reply in kind? No! I think that boycotting European goods or storming European facilities cannot be an answer in the 21st century. The voices of moderation and reason are called for, and I very much hope they will also be heard more loudly in the Islamic world. We are ready to play our part. We also clearly and unequivocally condemn any deviation from this path.
ORF: One last question. Will there be a special summit and what did you discuss with Commission President Barroso on the phone?
Chancellor Schüssel: As a result of these discussions we called a meeting of the political directors this afternoon, where a common line was agreed.
ORF: But no special summit?
Chancellor Schüssel: The meeting of political directors was a special meeting, and it took place on our authority. The foreign ministers are also engaged in this process, just as I am.
"A call for respect and calm" by Recep Tayyip Erdogan and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, International Herald Tribune
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