Brussels, 23/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - At the conclusion of Monday's General Affairs Council, Italian Foreign Minister Dini told the press that a "strategy" needs to be presented at the Feira summit with a view to the possible waiving of the bilateral sanctions against Austria (he also wondered whether there would be enough time to come to agreement). During the Council, Austrian Minister Ferrero-Waldner said the European Commission should be asked to prepare a report for the Feira Summit, so that the sanctions can be waived.
Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel announced, after a meeting in Brussels with SPÖ leader Mr Gusenbauer and Mr Koch, leader of the Austrian Liberal Forum (both in the opposition), that he would be visiting Austria soon at the invitation of the latter to clarify the EU's position. Mr Van der Bellen, spokesman for the Austrian Greens, also in the opposition, did not take part in the meeting with Mr Michel, saying "bilateral contacts will not be of much use". "We suggest that the other 13 EU Foreign Ministers give Mr Michel a negotiating brief to make possible a broad dialogue capable of resulting in concrete solutions", he stated.