'Iranian nuclear plan must be stopped'
Austrian chancellor visits Israel for first time in decade, tells Olmert: ‘Sanctions on Iran not enough’
The sanctions imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council are not enough, according to Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer.
The chancellor expressed his thoughts on the issue during a meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem on Monday.
“We are very concerned over the Iranian nuclear plan. Iran must comply and prove that it is not only slowing down processes for the production of a nuclear core, but stopping them completely. That is the demand of the entire international community,” he said.
Olmert shared the chancellor’s concerns over the Iranian nuclear plan and said, “This is an issue of the utmost importance. The issue of the Iranian nuclear plan threatens the Middle East and the entire world.
“We hope that Austria will continue to play a deciding role in the expansion of economic sanctions on that country. Also, regarding relations with the Palestinian Authority, we hope Austria continues to contribute to the issue and avoid all contact with terror organizations,” the prime minister said.
Gusenbauer too commented on Israel’s relationship with the Palestinian Authority, and pledged his support achieving peace in the region.
“We want to speak to the Palestinian partner today as well, because there is a window of opportunity here and we want to see how the process moves forward,” the chancellor said.
“We are interested in practical results. We want to ensure security for the people of the region, first and foremost for Israel and its citizens. Austria’s chancellor has come here as a true friend of Israel,” he added.
Gusenbauer was the first Austrian chancellor to visit Israel in 10 years. The relationship between the two nations has seen ups and downs through the years, particularly during Bruno Kreisky’s term as Austrian chancellor from 1970 to 1983.
Nowadays, Israel and Austria maintain friendly relations, including trade relations amounting to some $300 million per annum.
