Austria Wants Next UN AOC Forum to Assess its Previous Achievements

Doha, December 12 (QNA) - Austria's State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Dr. Wolfgang Waldner said that his country, which will host the 5th UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum in early 2013, proposed that that the 5th Forum should focus on its achievements since its launch and should determine precisely the alliance's future activities. Addressing a session of the ongoing 4th UN Alliance of Civilization Forum in Doha, the Austrian Minister said the 5th Forum will address a number of pressing issues including immigration, economic development and strengthening leadership responsibility in addition to religious diversity, dialogue between cultures and freedom of the press as well as the role of e-media and the global changes. He stressed that his country plans to launch a tangible initiative within the UN Human Rights Council to consolidate the framework of the protection granted to journalists. The initiate will focus on the fight against impunity and the crimes committed against journalists, he said, underscoring that those crimes committed against journalists have been condemned as violations of the rule of law and freedom of the press. Waldner pointed out that the initiative stems from Austria's conviction which deems the provision of protection for journalists as necessary in order to ensure the freedom of the press. The Austrian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs stressed that his country has long recognized the importance of dialogue between religions and civilizations, and has been active in this area as it has recognized Islam as a religion in Austria since 1912. "We are going to mark the centennial anniversary of the recognition of Islam as a component of Austria next year," he added. He said that this official recognition of Islam as a religion in Austria was the result of some of the soldiers who served in the ranks of the Austrian army. Since then Austria has been manifesting this in its activities locally and internationally to show respect to this pluralism and diversity in the Muslim and Western societies, Waldner added. (QNA)