Trump Denies Climate Change: This is What Chancellor Stocker Says

"I assume that we should adhere to science," said Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP). It is "quite clear that climate change exists" and "there is a human-made component to it." UN events like the "high-level week" are meant to discuss different positions.

Stocker Against Playing Off Climate Change and Economic Development

Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen expressed a similar view on the climate issue. At a press conference with Stocker and Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS), he responded to Trump's views succinctly: "I am convinced of the opposite." Stocker added to the APA: "I would also not play off competitiveness and economic development against the fight against climate change." Both actually belong together, "because technology, innovation, and research also help to effectively address climate change."

However, Stocker was not surprised by Trump's statements. The fact that the US President mentioned in connection with the topic of "illegal migration" that 53 percent of prison inmates in Austria are not Austrians did not further irritate the Chancellor. The figures are fundamentally correct, commented Stocker. However, among the "slightly more than 50 percent of inmates in our correctional facilities who do not have Austrian citizenship" are also EU citizens (almost 20 percent of the total).

Trump Reception for Stocker "Uncomplicated and Relaxed Event"

Stocker represented Austria on Tuesday evening at a reception hosted by US President Donald Trump for around 150 heads of state and government gathered for the general debate at the "Lotte Palace" hotel in Manhattan, also because Federal President Van der Bellen had politely declined. Stocker viewed the evening positively. It was an "uncomplicated and relaxed event."

Stocker participated for the first time in the "High Level Week" of the "General Assembly" of the United Nations in New York. The fact that the UN is experiencing difficult times due to crisis hotspots like the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the Middle East conflict or the drastic financial cuts by the US administration under Trump is somewhat of an incentive for him: "I believe the times we live in justify every effort." After all, 193 heads of state and government came together in New York "to talk to each other," emphasized the Chancellor. This is necessary if one "wants to come to solutions."

Stocker sees UN as indispensable in "challenging times"

Especially in the "challenging times" of the present, the UN is "indispensable," argued Stocker. Moreover, it is "the responsibility of the member states" to give the United Nations its significance. "Despite all that can be criticized," there must be UN weeks "where everyone comes together to talk to each other." Even if the viewpoints are sometimes "very different." For example, when Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu generally dismisses criticism from the UN as "anti-Semitic." "I don't see it that way," Stocker explained in response to a related APA inquiry.

The Chancellor also held bilateral meetings in New York with smaller states, such as those from Africa or the Caribbean. These meetings were related to Austria's candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2027/28 period. "Every country in the UN has a voice. The small ones as well as the big ones," argued Stocker. Austria is a medium-sized country in Europe. "In the world, rather a small one." The goal is therefore to give a voice in the Security Council to other countries of this dimension as well. "Therefore, we have held talks with these nations and have seen that Austria is not only respected but also heard."

The Security Council is a body "that discusses exactly these conflicts that are now pressing on us," Stocker explained why the time- and cost-intensive candidacy is worthwhile. It is about "taking responsibility and contributing to security and peace in the world." Austria has "a good tradition of balancing different viewpoints" and "building bridges." Moreover, Vienna is also a UN headquarters. "We are very proud of that." Stocker and Van der Bellen returned to Vienna on Wednesday evening (local time). Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger will stay until Friday. She was scheduled to give a speech before the UN General Assembly on Thursday evening.

"Foreign policy is to a good extent domestic policy"

Returning to domestic political agendas is not difficult for him, Stocker said in response to a related APA question. After all, "foreign policy is to a good extent domestic policy," the head of government cited the migration issue as an example. "What happens at the borders not only immediately but also a little further away will have an impact on us sooner or later." This also applies to economic developments, such as through Trump's tariff policy. To "remain competitive, expand the internal market, and strengthen the capital market," "joint solutions through the European Union" are needed.

(The conversation was conducted by Edgar Schütz/APA in New York)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.