Austrian Foreign Minister honors fallen soldiers in Odesa

Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger arrived in Odesa on an official visit. She honored the memory of the fallen soldiers and continued negotiations on cooperation.

This was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiga.

Today, August 20, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger arrived in Odesa on an official visit.

PHOTO: Natalia Dovbysh/Intent

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, this is the third visit of the Austrian diplomat to Ukraine since March, when she took office.

"I really appreciate Beate's personal commitment, which complements the intense dynamics of Ukrainian-Austrian relations," Sibiga said.

The ministers are continuing the work started during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Vienna in June. The meeting began with a commemoration of Ukrainian soldiers who gave their lives for the freedom of Europe.

PHOTO: Natalia Dovbysh/Intent

In July 2022, the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the missile attack on the Odesa Commercial Sea Port. In a statement, the ministry emphasized that the attack, which took place less than a day after agreements on grain exports, was outrageous and showed Russia's disregard for the millions of people around the world suffering from the food crisis.

In early June, the Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit was held in Odesa with the participation of Ukrainian officials and leaders of the Balkan region. The countries reaffirmed their support for Ukraine: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic offered assistance in reconstruction, Romanian President Nicușor Dan condemned disinformation about the war, and Moldovan President Maia Sandu emphasized the joint fight against Russian hybrid aggression.

PHOTO: Natalia Dovbysh/Intent

In May, Odesa hosted the international Black Sea Security Forum, the largest geopolitical event in southern Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war. More than 500 delegates from more than 20 countries attended the forum, and Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development Andriy Kashuba said that the losses of the Ukrainian port industry from Russian attacks exceeded 1 billion euros.

Анна Бальчінос