Osmani in Alpbach: Expansion of EU and European values a test of courage for Europe

For a "bold Europe", which is the motto of this year's European Forum Alpbach, a confident approach is needed in terms of expanding the EU, defending its own values, and ensuring peace, according to the participants of tonight's discussion, among whom was the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, the Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria Alexander Schallenberg.

The countries of the Western Balkans could "contribute to a stable and green Europe", as well as stability, for example through the sharing of European values, Osmani said.

She reminded that Kosovo had applied for membership in the European Union last December.

"A bold Europe is an expanded Europe," Osmani said.

At the same time, she added, there was a certain fatigue among the countries that were currently negotiating with the EU, such as Montenegro and North Macedonia, which was caused by the long duration of the process.

Osmani emphasized that bearing in mind the strengthening of autocratic forces in Europe, courage was needed for principled decisions and a clear commitment to the rule of law and democracy, as well as the partnership with the USA - an important partner in efforts to ensure peace.

"Despite the fact that it is a long and tiring road, European integration is the only way for Kosovo. The Euro-Atlantic family is our family," Osmani said.

Europe "is not brave enough", the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria said regarding the expansion of the EU to the Western Balkans and Ukraine.

Schallenberg called for the abandonment of "binary thinking" in EU member and non-member countries and encouraged "gradual integration".

During the opening speech, Andreas Treichl, President of the Alpbach Forum, appealed for more courage and the use of the "European project as a peace project".

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna also underlined the importance of unity in a video message, especially in relation to Russian aggression against her country.

According to her, the victory of Ukraine would bring peace and unity to Europe.

She expressed her belief that Ukraine could start negotiations on EU accession by the end of the year, adding that this was the goal of Kyiv.

Russia had declared war on Europe, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Ukrainian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate said.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to present European values as false values. Ideas have no geographical borders, values like democracy, the rule of law and human rights must be defended with sovereignty," she said, demanding the establishment of a special tribunal against Putin and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko.

"Freedom is like the air you breathe. If you lose it, it's hard to get it back," said Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

Tsikhanouskaya called for the isolation of the regime, including Lukashenko, and that the Belarusian population, in particular, must be shown "that the doors of Europe are open".

German Green Party MP Reinhard Butikofer called on Europe not to focus too much on itself, but to take a global view.

"It is necessary to see the role of Europe in the international system more," he believes.

The former Minister of Education of Nigeria and former Vice President of the World Bank, Obiageli Ezekwesili, emphasized intergenerational dialogue as a necessity in order to find sustainable solutions for the future.

He said that Africa should no longer be seen as a "humanitarian case" and a generator of migration.

"Instead, African countries should be seen as equal business partners: Europe should "build business relations with African countries based on partnership," he said.