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Time Online: You have recently visited Libya, first EU Commissioner ever. Why so late? Libya is of central importance to Europe.
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is a politician of Austrian ÖVP and since 2014 EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and enlargement negotiations. Previously, he has been EU Commissioner for regional policy since 2010.
Johannes Hahn: Frankly, trip was associated with considerable risks. No sooner was I gone, shooting started at airport. But this trip was very important to me. As a neighbourhood Commissioner for EU, I wanted to signal Libyans that we are understanding Libya as our neighbour and not just as a patch of earth that only worries us Europeans. For example, we would like to see Libya have a million internal refugees. In addition to approximately 300,000 refugees from or African countries.
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It is also important that we Europeans act uniformly, support efforts of UN envoy Ghassan Salamé and help to advance political solutions. We need to look at Libya as a state to build. The anarchy re must be ended, orwise human smugglers will not be able to lay craft.
Time Online: How do Libyans perceive Europe?
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Hahn: The Libyans are disappointed because Europeans have a rar selfish view of ir country. It is understandable and legitimate for Europeans to pursue ir interests. But a sustainable solution will only exist if we help Libyans to rebuild state. This requires a comprehensive approach.
Time Online: Where are mistakes of Europeans?
Hahn: It is important that major European countries that have interests re are closed.
Time Online: Is re no coherence?
Hahn: No, not one hundred percent.
Time Online: So individual European countries compete in Libya?
Hahn: There are different views of country. Italy sees Libya, of course, mainly in a migration policy aspect. That is more than understandable. You can’t blame Italians. Libya also has large oil and gas reserves. Different countries are interested in this. That too is understandable. But at end of day only one thing counts: peace in Libya. This is fundamental, regardless of wher migration or resources of country are important to me.
Time Online: What could be improved in concrete terms, apart from sharpening attention for Libya as a neighbour of Europe?
Hahn: We could look at frozen assets of Libyans, some of which are under UN administration.
