Premier Armin Laschet and President of Austria, Alexander van der Bellen – Picture by Land NRW, Nadine Zilliges.
Thursday, 3 June 2021, Berlin, Germany: North Rhine-Westphalia’s Premier Armin Laschet received the Federal President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, for bilateral discussions.
The meeting took place at the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the German Federation in Berlin. The two officials spoke about the relations between the two countries, Europe’s way out of the Corona virus pandemic and the fight against climate change.
Premier Armin Laschet: “I thank the Austrian Federal President for this constructive exchange. We have discussed intensively and in doing so have also found many commonalities on the central issues of our time. Austria and North Rhine-Westphalia have chosen innovative ways to combat the pandemic. Austria and North Rhine-Westphalia are also equally guided by the comprehensive consideration and careful weighing of all consequences of the Corona virus policy.”
“Germany and Austria also have in common that we want to combine ecological transformation with economic success. We want and we need more climate protection in Europe and we are aware that this can only be achieved if we use the potential that lies in our companies,” said Premier Laschet as per statement below in the German language.
“The Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen has repeatedly pointed out in the past that ‘more courage for climate protection’ is needed worldwide and that a signal for this must also come from Europe. I have therefore promoted the idea of appointing a European climate envoy to champion this cause internationally.”
President Van der Bellen was likewise received at Bellevue Palace by Federal President Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier as well as by Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel at the Federal Chancellor’s Office. He was accompanied to all meetings by Austrian Ambassador in Germany, Dr. Peter Huber.
For further information:
Government of NRW: https://mbei.nrw/de/ministerpraesident-armin-laschet-empfaengt-den-bundespraesidenten-der-republik-oesterreich-alexander
Embassy of Austria in Germany: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-berlin/veranstaltungen/detail/article/arbeitsbesuch-von-bundespraesident-van-der-bellen/
