The winner in the Austrian presidential race, Alexander Van der Bellen, has said in a statement to Tanjug that, in his capacity as the head of state, he will work on supporting the region of the Western Balkans along the path toward the EU. Van der Bellen gave this statement to Tanjug ahead of Sunday's election in which he won the highest number of votes.

The former leader of the Green Party noted on the occasion that no other country had so close economic and historical relations with the Western Balkans as Austria.
In the mid-run, the perspective of EU membership for countries in this region is indisputable for all observers. Talks have been held for a long time. There are different opinions about the EU road and many issues are yet to be opened, he said. As the president, I will discuss with the chancellor and foreign minister ways in which Austria could help the region along the EU path, Der Bellen said ahead of the election.

As for the Serb community in Austria, he believes it is under-represented in political parties.