Mohamed Bin Zayed meets Chancellor Sebastian, discusses bilateral relations in Vienna
- 29 Jul 2021
Gulf Today Report
Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived on Thursday in Vienna on an official visit to Austrian. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed was welcomed by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz at Vienna International Airport.
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed and Sebastian held a meeting in Vienna and discussed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing the strategic partnership between their countries in various fields.
The two sides discussed bolstering their cooperation to serve their mutual interests, and reviewed the latest developments regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Chancellor Sebastian underlined the visit's importance in driving the growth of the relations between their countries and enhancing cooperation efforts. During an official reception ceremony, where the guard of honour saluted Sheikh Mohamed while a band played the national anthems of the two countries.
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and UAE Minister of State for Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Jaber attended the signing ceremony of a strategic partnership agreement in the presence of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed and Sebastian Kurz at the Foreign Ministry in Vienna.
The UAE is the key economic partner of Austria in the Arab world. The Austrian companies are increasing their presence in the UAE to benefit from the opportunities provided to investors by the Emirati markets, especially in the heavy machinery and service sectors.
In an exclusive interview with WAM, Chancellor Sebastian said that the UAE is one of our most important and economic partners in the Arab region.
The chancellor pointed out that the Austrian direct investments in the UAE exceeded €7 billion, noting that, "boosting the relations to a strategic partnership is a logical thing that will bring benefits to both Austria and UAE."
The UAE and Austria are also advancing their economic partnership and several coordination meetings were held to promote mutual trade and investment. Their main areas of economic cooperation include the digital economy, innovation, information and communication technology, renewable energy, water, logistical services and aviation.
The two countries have a solid parliamentary relationship, and a friendship committee between their parliaments was established to exchange expertise and knowledge and coordinate their views and stances at international parliamentary events.
Vienna aims to benefit from Expo 2020 Dubai and reinforce the presence of Austrian firms in the UAE and the region's markets by showcasing technologies and sustainability, smart cities and renewable energy efforts.
The bilateral relations between the UAE and Austria date back to the era of the founding father late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and then Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, who first met in 1973. Their bilateral ties were established on March 10, 1974.
The delegation accompanying Sheikh Mohamed included Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports; Dr Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Jaber; Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, and Ibrahim Salem Al Musharakh, UAE Ambassador to Austria.
The UAE delegation was also received by Alexander Schallenberg, Austria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mag. Gernot Blumel, Austria's Minister of Finance, and Dr Margarete Schramb?ck, Minister for Digital and Economic Affairs.