On the Day of Remembrance of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes, February 20, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, held bilateral negotiations in Kyiv with his Austrian counterpart, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, who conducted her fourth visit to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression.
The Austrian delegation also included the Government Coordinator for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, Wolfgang Anzengruber, and Austrian parliamentarians.
Andrii Sybiha personally met his foreign colleague in the morning at the Kyiv railway station. The Ministers visited the National Memorial of National Memory at Maidan Nezalezhnosti, honoring those who fell for Ukraine in the Russian-Ukrainian war, and placed lamps at the Memorial to the Heavenly Hundred Heroes.
During the negotiations at the MFA of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha briefed his colleague on the situation on the battlefield and the damage to the Ukrainian energy system resulting from Russian strikes. The Minister also shared the results of the meeting in Geneva and the Ukrainian vision for further perspectives on peace efforts.
“We have active bilateral cooperation. I am especially grateful to Austria for its assistance in overcoming the consequences of Russian winter terror. We feel this sincere solidarity at all levels: from the Austrian government, federal states, communities, and all Austrians. Austria has provided 3.5 million euros through the mechanisms of the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, the ICRC, UNICEF, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees,” he noted.
According to Andrii Sybiha, the parties discussed the transfer of energy equipment to Ukraine from two decommissioned Austrian power plants in Vienna and Upper Austria.
“Our specialists are already inspecting them, determining the list of technically compatible equipment and the delivery logistics. Austria is also ready to transfer 9 powerful transformers from the state of Salzburg to Ukraine, as well as gas equipment for ‘Ukrtransgaz’ from the RAG company,” Andrii Sybiha stated.
The head of the Ukrainian diplomatic mission noted numerous public initiatives regarding energy assistance to our state, which demonstrate the solidarity of Austrian society. He also thanked Austria for its support of Ukrainian children.
“This winter, the Austrian states of Tyrol and Burgenland invited Ukrainian children for recreation. We also value Austria’s contribution to the return of Ukrainian children, particularly within the framework of the relevant International Coalition,” the Minister remarked.
Andrii Sybiha noted that Austria funds projects amounting to 14.1 million euros in the field of humanitarian demining.
The Minister particularly welcomed the interest of Austrian business in operating in Ukraine even during the war.
“We will continue to facilitate the work of Austrian companies in Ukraine. We want them to be able to utilize their potential in the reconstruction process, particularly in the sectors of construction, railway infrastructure, and energy,” he noted.
The Head of the MFA reported on Austria’s significant role in restoring kindergartens, building shelters, and treating the severely wounded civilians. Furthermore, the Minister called the financial support by the Austrian government for the “Food from Ukraine” initiative important and stated that there are positive signals regarding Austria’s accession to the Cultural Resilience Alliance in the near future.
The diplomat thanked the Government of Austria for special decisions regarding risk insurance, which promote investment activity in Ukraine, and called this an example for other states.
“We are preparing to host the Austrian Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism in two weeks, along with a large business delegation. We look forward to new agreements and the attraction of new investments. Austria proves that neutrality is not indifference,” Andrii Sybiha declared.