Humanity at the crossroads: Autonomous weapons systems will soon fill the world’s battlefields. We have to take action & agree on int‘l rules to ensure that decisions over life or death are never taken by machines!

➡️ Kicking off #AWS2024Vienna with 900+ guests from 142 states

When humanity is at the crossroads, we need to take the right turn❗️

Today MFA Austria hosts representatives from 140+ States, int‘l organisations & civil society for the first int’l conference on #AutonomousWeaponsSystems .

Join #AWS2024Vienna live ➡️ bmeia.gv.at/en/european-fo…

1 day to go until #AWS2024Vienna

Really excited to see the last preparations.

Beautiful spring weather in #Vienna

More than 140 states + 900 delegates will talk about a profound issue of our time - a Crossroads for Humanity !

👉 AWS2024.at

#humancontrol

#Iraq ’s legislation criminalising same-sex relations is deeply disturbing. We call on Iraqi parliament to rescind this decision which violates #HumanRights .

Russia: Disregarding international law & rules, 🇷🇺continues to take measures against EU companies.

Subsidiaries of Italian & German companies were put under 'temporary external management' by a RU firm.

The EU calls on Russia to reverse these measures
eeas.europa.eu/eeas/russia-st…

Today I welcomed Foreign Minister of #CostaRica Arnoldo Andre Tinoco to Vienna, in the run-up to the #AWS2024Vienna conference on autonomous weapons systems.

We focused on our shared priority of disarmament but also on trade affairs and regional developments. 🇦🇹🤝🇨🇷

Österreich und die Schweiz verbindet eine enge Strategische Partnerschaft & Freundschaft:

🔹 der militärischen #Neutralität verpflichtet
🔹 Sitz der Vereinten Nationen 🇺🇳
🔹 aktiv im Dialog 🇦🇹🤝🇨🇭

Danke, lieber @IgnazioCassis für den herzlichen Empfang in meiner Geburtsstadt!

Full agenda at today’s #FAC 🇪🇺 in #Luxembourg :

➡️ Unequivocal #EU response to #Iran ’s unacceptable escalation
➡️ Exchange with colleagues from the Gulf
➡️ Discussion on the forgotten crisis in #Sudan and 🇦🇹 support

Israel/Palestine: 🇪🇺 imposes sanctions on violent extremist 🇮🇱 #settlers and their organisations, responsible for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians in the #WestBank , incl. torture & and for the violation of right to property. consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press…

BiH: latest legislative initiatives in Rep Srpska assembly would undermine the constitutional order, fundamental freedoms & 🇪🇺 path of 🇧🇦. The RS leadership should stop them. Any action against basic principles of BiH will have serious consequences. europa.eu/!xfmqCn

Less than two weeks left until #AWS2024 kicks off in Vienna.
 
Take a look at the conference programme, tackling crucial topics from regulatory challenges to ethical implications of AI in weaponry ⬇️

bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user…

Spoke to FM Bou Habib in light of dangerous developments in the Middle East. Underlined our strong support for #Lebanon ‘s stability and the need to avoid a regional escalation. Reiterated our commitment to @UNIFIL - it is imperative to ensure the peacekeepers’ safety.

Called FM ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz to assure him of our strong support in light of the unprecedented and unacceptable Iranian attack. Austria is fully committed to #Israel ’s security.

Underlined the need to prevent a conflagration in the Middle East.

Held a phone call with Iranian FM H.Amirabdollahian امیرعبداللهیان this morning.
Condemned the attack on #Israel in the strongest possible terms and urged to contribute to de-escalation. We cannot afford another front in the Middle East.
Also discussed bilateral consular issues.

Iran: Statement by the High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles on behalf of the EU on the Iranian drone and missile attacks against Israel europa.eu/!yRQD7n

Extremely alarmed by reported drone attacks from #Iran against #Israel !

This is a new level of escalation in a situation which is already highly dangerous. Call on Iran and its proxies to stop adding fuel to the fire and to urgently reverse course.

Welcome to 200 Austrian #HonoraryConsuls from over 90 countries in Vienna.

Honorary Consuls are often the first point of contact for Austrians abroad. Without them, our 🇦🇹 network would not be complete.

Dear Honorary Consuls, we thank you for your valuable work!

Excellent news from Brussels for all Friends of the #WesternBalkans : 🇪🇺 member states just confirmed the new Reform & Growth Facility for the region. We have long pressed for this € 6bn financial booster to support our partners’ reforms & gradual integration into the #EU .

I condem the violation of the premises of the Mexican Embassy in Quito, in a clear breach of the Vienna Convention of 1961.

I call for respect of diplomatic international law.

Six dreadful months since #Hamas terrorists attacked  #Israel , causing intolerable human suffering for Israeli and Palestinian civilians.

It's high time for a humanitarian pause!

❗️Hamas must release all hostages
❗️More aid must reach  #Gaza
❗️Humanitarian law is non-negotiable