Foreign relations of Austria

The 1955 Austrian State Treaty ended the four-power occupation and recognized Austria as an independent and sovereign state. In October 1955, the Federal Assembly passed a constitutional law in which "Austria declares of her own free will her perpetual neutrality." The second section of this law stated that "in all future times Austria will not join any military alliances and will not permit the establishment of any foreign military bases on her territory." Since then, Austria has shaped its foreign policy on the basis of neutrality.

In recent years, however, Austria has begun to reassess its definition of neutrality, granting overflight rights for the UN-sanctioned action against Iraq in 1991, and, since 1995, contemplating participation in the EU's evolving security structure. Also in 1995, it joined the Partnership for Peace, and subsequently participated in peacekeeping missions in Bosnia. Discussion of possible Austrian NATO membership intensified during 1996. ÖVP and the Team Stronach aim at moving closer to NATO or a European defense arrangement. SPÖ and FPÖ, in turn, believe continued neutrality is the cornerstone of Austria's foreign policy, and a majority of the population generally supports this stance.

In February 2000, Austria's foreign relations cooled down when the ÖVP formed a coalition with the FPÖ after the 1999 election. European governments imposed diplomatic sanctions, and the United States called home its ambassador. The diplomatic sanctions were lifted in September 2000, after a three-member panel assessed human rights and political life in Austria. In November 2000, the United States and Austria normalized their relations.

Austrian leaders emphasize the unique role the country plays as an East-West hub and as a moderator between industrialized and developing countries. Austria is active in the United Nations and experienced in UN peacekeeping efforts. It attaches great importance to participation in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and other international economic organizations, and it has played an active role in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Vienna hosts the Secretariat of the OSCE and the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and the United Nations Drug Control Programme. Other international organizations based in Vienna include the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Organization for International Economic Relations (OiER) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis. Recently, Vienna added the preparatory commission for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization and the Wassenaar Arrangement (a technology-transfer control agency) to the list of international organizations it hosts.

Austria traditionally has been active in "bridge-building to the east," increasing contacts at all levels with Eastern Europe and the states of the former Soviet Union. Austrians maintain a constant exchange of business representatives, political leaders, students, cultural groups, and tourists with the countries of central and eastern Europe. Austrian companies are active in investing and trading with the countries of central and eastern Europe. In addition, the Austrian Government and various Austrian organizations provide assistance and training to support the changes underway in the region.

Bilateral relationships

Austria maintains significant bilateral relations with several countries.

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Albania	1912	Austria-Hungary supported Albanian Declaration of Independence in 1912. Albania has an embassy in Vienna. Austria has an embassy in Tirana.
Argentina	1870-10-27	Argentina has an embassy in Vienna. Austria has an embassy in Buenos Aires and 3 honorary consulates (in Córdoba, Posadas, and San Carlos de Bariloche). Argentina Ministry of Foreign Relations: list of bilateral treaties with Austria (in Spanish only) Austrian embassy in Buenos Aires (in German and Spanish) Austrian Trade Office in Buenos Aires (in Spanish)
Australia	1948	Australia has an embassy in Vienna. Austria has an embassy in Canberra, and 7 honorary consulates (in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney). Almost 50,000 persons of Austrian heritage live in Australia today, including 17,930 Austria-born persons (2006 census). Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade about the relation with Austria
Belarus	1992-02	Austria recognized Belarus in December 1991. Austria is represented in Belarus through its embassy in Moscow (Russia). Since March 1993, Belarus has an embassy in Vienna and an honorary consulate in Bregenz. Austria Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties (in German only)
Belgium	1833	Austria has an embassy in Brussels and 6 honorary consulates (in Antwerp, Eupen, Ghent, Liège, Namur and Ostend). Belgium has an embassy in Vienna and 4 honorary consulates (in Graz, Innsbruck, Linz and Salzburg). Both countries are full members of the European Union. List of bilateral treaties between both countries: Austria Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in German only) In 1790 there existed a confederation named United States of Belgium, which had about the same extent as contemporary Belgium. This confederation revolted against the Habsburg (Austrian) Emperor.
Bulgaria	1878	Both countries fought together during World War I. Austria has an embassy in Sofia. Bulgaria has an embassy in Vienna and an honorary consulate in Salzburg. Both countries are full members of the European Union. In April 2005, the President of Bulgaria Georgi Parvanov paid a state visit to Austria. Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Bulgaria (in German only)
Canada	1929	See Austria–Canada relations Permanent embassies were exchanged in 1958. Austria has an embassy in Ottawa and seven honorary consulates (in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Regina, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg). Canada has an embassy in Vienna. Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Canada (in German only) Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade about relations with Austria
Chile	1846	See Austria–Chile relations Austria has an embassy in Santiago de Chile and 3 honorary consulates (in Arica, Valdivia and Valparaíso). Chile has an embassy in Vienna and 3 honorary consulates (in Linz, Klagenfurt and Salzburg). Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Chile (in German only)
Colombia	1920	see Austria–Colombia relations Austrian honorary consulates already existed in Bogota and Barranquilla since about 1870. Austria has an embassy in Bogota and 5 honorary consulates (in Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, Medellin and San Andrés). Colombia has an embassy in Vienna. Austria Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties (in German only)
Croatia	1992-01-15	See Austria–Croatia relations Austria has an embassy in Zagreb and 4 honorary consulates (in Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka and Split). Croatia has an embassy in Vienna and 2 honorary consulates (in Graz and Innsbruck). Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Croatia (in German only) Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration: list of bilateral treaties with Austria
Cyprus	1960	Austria has an embassy in Nicosia and 2 honorary consulates. Cyprus has an embassy in Vienna. Both countries are full members of the European Union. Austria was one of the first countries that participated in the United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus Austria actively supports Republic of Cyprus over the Turkish occupation of the island. Austria Ministry of Foreign Affairs: List of bilateral treaties between both countries (in German only) Cyprus Foreign Affairs: List of bilateral treaties with Austria
Czech Republic	1920-01-20	See Austria – Czech Republic relations Austria has an embassy in Prague and two honorary consulates (in Brno and České Budějovice). The Czech Republic has an embassy in Vienna and five honorary consulates (in Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz, and Salzburg). Both countries are full members of the European Union. They share 362 km of common border, which can be crossed anywhere without border control due to the Schengen Agreement.
Denmark	1925-12-19	See Austria-Denmark relations Austria has an embassy in Copenhagen and 3 honorary consulates (in Aabenraa, Aarhus and Odense). Denmark has an embassy in Vienna and 4 honorary consulates (in Graz, Innsbruck, Linz and Salzburg). Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and of the European Union. Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Denmark (in German only)
Egypt	1929	Austria has an embassy in Cairo and an honorary consulate in Alexandria. Egypt has an embassy in Vienna. In 2006, President Mubarak of Egypt visited Austria and met with Austrian President Heinz Fischer. Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Egypt (in German only)
Estonia	1921-06-26	After the Soviet occupation, Austria re-recognised Estonia on August 28, 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on January 8, 1992. Austria has an embassy in Tallinn. Estonia has an embassy in Vienna and an honorary consulate in Salzburg. Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Estonia (in German only) Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Austria
Finland	1918-07-19	Austria recognised Finland on January 13, 1918. Austria has an embassy in Helsinki and 6 honorary consulates (in Kajaani, Ristiina, Oulu, Tampere, Turku and Vaasa). Finland has an embassy in Vienna and 8 honorary consulates (in Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, and Vorarlberg). Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Finland (in German only) Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Austria
France	1535	See Austria–France relations Both countries have diplomatic relations since the Middle Ages. Austria has an embassy in Paris, a general consulate in Strassburg and 7 honorary consulates (in Ajaccio, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Papeete and Toulouse). France has an embassy in Vienna and 6 honorary consulates (in Bregenz, Groß Sankt Florian, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz and Salzburg). Both countries are full members of the European Union. Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with France (in German only) French Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Austria
Georgia	1992	See Austria–Georgia relations Georgia opened its Embassy in Vienna in 1996. Austria is represented in Georgia through a non resident ambassador based in Vienna, and through an honorary consulate in Tbilissi. Georgia has an embassy in Vienna and an honorary consulate in Graz. Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Georgia (in German only) Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Austria
Germany		See Austria–Germany relations Due to German being the common language of these two neighboring European countries relations between them are close.
Hungary	1921	See Austria–Hungary relations Both countries have a long common history since the ruling dynasty of Austria, the Habsburgs, inherited the Hungarian throne in the 16th century. Both were part of the now-defunct Austro-Hungarian Monarchy from 1867 to 1918. Austria has an embassy in Budapest. Hungary has an embassy in Vienna. Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Hungary (in German only)
Iceland	1928	Austria is represented in Iceland through its embassy in Copenhagen and an honorary consulate in Reykjavík. Iceland has an embassy in Vienna and 2 honorary consulates (in Salzburg and Vienna). Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Iceland (in German only)
India	1949	See Austria–India relations Austria has an embassy in New Delhi, as well as Honorary Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Goa. India has an embassy in Vienna.
Iran		See Austria–Iran relations Austria has an embassy in Tehran. Iran has an embassy in Vienna.
Ireland	1951	Austria has an embassy in Dublin. Ireland has an embassy in Vienna. Both countries are full members of the European Union. In 1986, the President of Ireland Patrick Hillery paid a state visit to Austria. In July 2006, the President of Ireland Mary McAleese paid a state visit to Austria. Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Ireland (in German only)
Israel	1949	See Austria–Israel relations Austria recognized Israel on March 5, 1949. Austria has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 3 honorary consulates (in Eilat, Haifa and Jerusalem). Israel has an embassy in Vienna. Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean. Austria Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Israel (in German only) See also History of the Jews in Austria.
Italy		See Austria–Italy relations Austria has an embassy in Rome, a general consulate in Milan and 10 honorary consulates (in Bari, Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Trieste, Turin, Venice and Verona). Italy has an embassy in Vienna, a consulate in Innsbruck, and 4 honorary consulates (in Graz, Klagenfurt, Linz and Salzburg). Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Italy (in German only)
Japan	1869-10	See Austria–Japan relations Austria has an embassy in Tokyo and 4 honorary consulates (in Hiroshima, Nagoya, Osaka and Sapporo). Japan has an embassy in Vienna and an honorary consulate in Salzburg. Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Japan (in German only) Japanese Foreign Affairs Ministry about the relation with Austria
Kosovo	2008	Austria recognized Kosovo on 28 February 2008. Austria has an embassy in Pristina since 20 March 2008. Kosovo has an embassy in Vienna since February 2009.
Latvia	1921-02-17	Austria has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Riga. Latvia has an embassy in Vienna and 3 honorary consulate (in Graz, Linz and Salzburg). Both countries are full members of the European Union. Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Latvia (in German only) Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Austria
Lithuania	1991	Austria has an embassy in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Vienna. Both countries are full members of the European Union. Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Austria (in Lithuanian only)
Malaysia	1962-08-06	See Austria–Malaysia relations Austria has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia has an embassy in Vienna. Malaysia is one of Austria's most important trading partners in Southeast Asia.
Malta		Austria has an embassy in Ta' Xbiex. Malta has an embassy in Vienna and 4 honorary consulates (in Innsbruck, Linz, Salzburg and Vienna). Both countries are full members of the European Union. Austria Ministry of Foreign Affairs: List of bilateral treaties between both countries (in German only)
Mexico	1842	See Austria–Mexico relations During the French intervention in Mexico between 1864 and 1867, with French backing Maximilian I of Mexico, member of Austria's Imperial Habsburg-Lorraine family was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico. As of 2005, Mexico was Austria's second most important trade partner in Latin America. The same year, the President of Austria Heinz Fischer visited Mexico and Brazil, the first ever state visit of an Austrian President to countries in Latin America. Austria has an embassy in Mexico City. Mexico has an embassy in Vienna.
Moldova	1992-03-25	See Austria–Moldova relations Austria is represented in Moldova through its embassy in Bucharest (Romania) and through an honorary consulate in Chişinău. Moldova has an embassy in Vienna and an honorary consulate in Innsbruck. Austria announced to later open a resident embassy in Chişinău.
Montenegro	2006-07-12	Austria recognized Montenegro on June 12, 2006. Austria has an embassy in Podgorica and an honorary consulate in Budva. Montenegro has an embassy in Vienna. Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Montenegro (in German only)
Netherlands		Austria has an embassy in The Hague and 2 honorary consulates (in Amsterdam and Rotterdam). The Netherlands have an embassy in Vienna and 6 honorary consulates (in Bludenz, Innsbruck, Graz, Klagenfurt, Salzburg and Linz). Both countries are full members of the European Union. List of bilateral treaties between both countries: Austria Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in German only) Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Austria (in Dutch only)
Pakistan	1956	See Austria–Pakistan relations Relations between the two countries are generally friendly. The diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Austria were established in 1956 when Pakistan formally recognized Austria. Pakistan maintains an embassy in Vienna and a consulate in Innsbruck Austria also has an embassy in Islamabad and consulates in Lahore and Karachi
People's Republic of China	1971-05-28	Austria has an embassy in Beijing and 3 general consulates (in Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai). China has an embassy in Vienna. Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with China (in German only) Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the relation with Austria
Philippines	1946-10-17	Main article: Austria–Philippines relations Austria has an embassy in Manila The Philippines has an embassy in Vienna. As of 2014, there are about 35,000 Filipinos in Austria, most of them involved in the health and service sector.
Poland	1921	Austria has an embassy in Warsaw, a consulate-general in Kraków and 3 honorary consulates (in Wrocław, Gdańsk, and Łódź). Poland has an embassy in Vienna and 4 honorary consulates (in Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt and Salzburg). Both countries are full members of the European Union. Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Poland (in German only)
Romania	1878-09-22	In 1918, Romania obtained the Bucovina, Transylvania and Partium from the former Austro-Hungarian Empire now dissolved. Austria has an embassy in Bucharest and an honorary consulate in Timişoara. Romania has an embassy in Vienna and 3 honorary consulates (in Eisenstadt, Linz and Salzburg). Both countries are full members of the European Union. Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Romania (in German only) Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Austria
Russia		See Austria–Russia relations See Embassy of Austria in Moscow See Embassy of Russia in Vienna See Russians in Austria
Saudi Arabia	1957-09-10	See Austria – Saudi Arabia relations Both countries had diplomatic contact since July 7, 1880, with the opening of an Austrian consulate in Jeddah (then under Ottoman occupation). Austria has an embassy in Riyadh Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Vienna.
Serbia	1874	See Austria–Serbia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1874. Austria has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Vienna and a general consulate in Salzburg.
Slovakia		See Austria–Slovakia relations Austria has an embassy in Bratislava. Slovakia has an embassy in Vienna and 3 honorary consulates (in Innsbruck, Linz and Salzburg). Both countries are full members of the European Union. Both countries share 91 km of common borders. There are around 25,000 people of Slovak descent living in Austria.
North Korea	1974	See Foreign relations of North Korea
South Korea	1892 As Chosun Dynasty/1963-05-22	See Austria – South Korea relations The establishment of diplomatic relations between Austria and South Korea began on 22 May 1963 and 1892 as Chosun Dynasty. Austria has an embassy in Seoul and an honorary consulate in Busan. South Korea has an embassy in Vienna and 4 honorary consulates in Graz, Klagenfurt, Linz and Salzburg. In April 2007 the President of Austria Heinz Fischer paid a state visit to South Korea. It was the first ever state visit of an Austrian President to South Korea. Austria has a Working Holiday Program Agreement with South Korea. Foreign relations of South Korea Foreign relations of the Republic of Korea.
Turkey		See Austrian–Turkish relations
Ukraine	1992	See Austria–Ukraine relations Ukraine has many territory (sometime passing by Poland or Czechoslovakia before 1939) that were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire: Lviv Oblast, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, Ternopil Oblast, most of the Chernivtsi Oblast and the Zakarpattia Oblast. Austria has an embassy in Kiev and 3 honorary consulates (in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lviv). Ukraine has an embassy in Vienna and 2 honorary consulates (in Klagenfurt and Salzburg). Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with Ukraine (in German only)
United Kingdom	1799	See Austria – United Kingdom relations Austria has an embassy in London and 4 honorary consulates (in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) and Hamilton (Bermuda)). The United Kingdom has an embassy in Vienna and 4 honorary consulates (in Graz, Innsbruck, Lauterach and Salzburg). Austrian Foreign Ministry: list of bilateral treaties with the United Kingdom (in German only) British Foreign and Commonwealth Office about relations with Austria
United States	1921	See Austria – United States relations The U.S. Embassy in Austria is located in Vienna. The Austrian Embassy in the U.S. is located in Washington, D.C..

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Austria
• List of diplomatic missions of Austria
• Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (Austria)
• Visa requirements for Austrian citizens

External links

• International − Austrian magazine on foreign policy
•  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the CIA World Factbook.
•  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of State (Background Notes).