During her official visit to Austria ahead of the European elections of 6-9 June 2024, EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl NEHAMMER. This news item shows extracts from the arrival, meeting and from the press conference.

meeting

press conference

official visit

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

EU - Austria (T)

Austria

Vienna

president's agenda

NEHAMMER, Karl

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Vienna (Austria): arrival, meeting with Karl NEHAMMER, Austrian Federal Chancellor and extracts from the press conference

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/75599504/1710942374149_I254528Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

Title: Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Vienna (Austria): arrival, meeting with Karl NEHAMMER, Austrian Federal Chancellor and extracts from the press conference (EbS) 

Exterior views of the Austrian Federal Chancellery (3 shots)

Arrival of Roberta METSOLA, EP President, welcomed by Karl NEHAMMER, Austrian Federal Chancellor (1 shot)

T&ecirc;te-&agrave;-t&ecirc;te between Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Karl NEHAMMER, Austrian Federal Chancellor (4 shots)

Introduction to the press conference (1 shot)

SOUNDBITE (German), Karl NEHAMMER, Austrian Federal Chancellor, Ladies and gentlemen, dear Roberta, it's really nice that you're here with us today in Austria. Thank you also very much that we've had the opportunity to get together with you and have a detailed discussion. You've brought along a very significant message that I would like to underline, which is that Europe really is of significance and that every vote counts.

SOUNDBITE (German), Karl NEHAMMER, Austrian Federal Chancellor, 30 years ago, Austria completed its accession, negotiation, which is indeed a very important year for us. So, this is really our anniversary that we are celebrating. We have benefited a lot from the accession to the European Union. From my perspective, it's really been one of the best decisions that Austria has ever taken and therefore a large majority of Austrians decided to accede to the European Union. And therefore it's really a big challenge to talk about the challenges that lie ahead and in some cases, really we need reforms.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Since it is a super election year, not only around the world but also in Austria. I am currently visiting Member States of the European Union to increase awareness about the European Parliament elections and to encourage people, particularly young people, to vote. I am here to listen to the concerns and expectations of the Austrian people to explain better what the challenges for Europe are and how best we can address them.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, In Austria 16-year-olds will be able to vote, and this will be an opportunity for us to bring Europe to a new generation. Also, in another three countries where 16-year-olds vote.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, With the Chancellor, as we've just discussed also the priorities for the next term, including Europe's competitiveness, our single market, and how to make Europe an attractive destination for investments. We need to support our competitiveness and our industries. Europe's single market must be improved and strengthened, and in this campaign as well, we must remind people of its benefits.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, This year marks 30 years since the accession negotiations between Austria and the European Union were concluded, and I hope that in this symbolic year, through their choice to vote in the EU elections, Austrian citizens reconfirm their trust in the European project.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, EP President, A migration pact will be voted on in April in the European Parliament. It is a set of 9 legislative measures which bring together the reinforcement of external borders, the solidarity aspect, asylum and making sure that traffickers are not the ones who decide who enters, who enters the European Union. And from this I will link it to the Prime Minister's and the Chancellor's point on on Egypt with our partners on the African continent, that we do not only talk to those countries about migration, but we also talk to them about investment.