EU's neutral members cannot back Ukraine safety guarantees - Austrian chancellor

BRUSSELS. June 29 (Interfax) - Giving Ukraine safety guarantees runs counter to the principles of the policy of neutral states, of which Austria is one, its Chancellor Karl Nehammer said.

"For us neutral states it is clear that we cannot give such safety guarantees. Austria, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus have made their objections clear," Nehammer told reporters before an EU summit on Ukraine in Brussels on Thursday.

The EU has to consider the views of its neutral member states that are against providing Ukraine with direct safety assurances, he said.

"The role of states should be strictly taken into account. We will definitely discuss it and find phrasings that will be acceptable for us as well," Nehammer said.