Austria criticized for granting Russians visas for OSCE meeting

AP News reported the information.

In early February, parliamentarians called on Austria to prevent Russian delegates from attending a meeting of the world's largest security body, which will be held in Vienna on February 23 and 24. High-ranking officials from 20 countries wrote a letter to the Austrian Chancellor calling for a ban on the participation of Russians under sanctions.

"It is important to remember that Russian parliamentarians are an integral part of the power system and complicit in the crimes Russia commits every day in Ukraine. They have no place in an institution tasked with promoting sincere dialogue and opposition to the war," the letter reads.

Austrian officials did not comment on the letter.

The news agency notes that Austria is trying to "delicately balance" in an effort to maintain its longstanding position of neutrality during the war in Ukraine. The Austrian government condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine almost a year ago, but also emphasized the need to maintain diplomatic relations with Russia.

Austrian officials insist that since the OSCE is headquartered in Vienna, the ministry has the legal right to issue visas to representatives of member states wishing to attend meetings of this international organization.

AP News reminds that Austria, which was annexed by Nazi Germany in the run-up to  World War II, declared neutrality after the war under pressure from the Western Allies and the Soviet Union.

"With the end of the Cold War and Austria’s accession to the EU, Austrian neutrality has “lost its function. As a NATO member, Austria would be in a better position to shape European security policy and will gain greater security," said Werner Fasslabend, a former Austrian defense minister from the conservative People’s Party.

• Last November, the Russian delegation was denied visas to participate in the OSCE PA session in the Polish capital.

• At a meeting on February 6, Ukraine’s parliament adopted an appeal to the OSCE PA to terminate the powers of the Russian and Belarusian delegates. Russia plans to send delegates to the February meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, including 15 Russian MPs who are under EU sanctions.