Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer said in Vienna on Sunday social market economy has great significance in today's world economy in the face of the ongoing global financial crisis.
He told an extraordinary meeting of Austrian Ministerial Council that many people are reluctant to hear this word "social", but now they have to see that market economy would play its role only when social coordination is carried out at the same time.
Gusenbauer noted that the idea of a market economy without control is only a fantasy. A market economy with no rules will, instead of being successful, "harm itself."
He also spoke highly of EU's role in the financial crisis. He said EU serves as a certain shelter in the worldwide financial crisis. Euro, the strongest currency in the market, is the only currency that is not involved in speculation, and is now playing the role as a stabilization-anchor.
Austria should not be criticized for completely following EU's policies, he added, "I cannot imagine, how it would be like now if we don't have euros."
Gusenbauer also clearly stated in Sunday's speech that Austria's neutrality is not only for maintaining the country's sovereignty and independence, but also determines Austria's status in the international community.
Austria's neutrality doesn't mean to stand aside or keep out, but to take part in international cooperation by other means. According to Gusenbauer, Austrian army's participation in the peace-keeping operations in Kosovo, Chad, Golan Heights, and Afghanistan also shows its adherence to neutrality.
Source: Xinhua
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