The UAE and Austria have nurtured a long-standing and mutually beneficial alliance that is poised to reach new heights through collaboration across various sectors, as stated by a senior diplomat in Abu Dhabi. The UAE Government has consistently been a steadfast partner to Austria, and this commitment continues under the auspices of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with a focus on advancing bilateral trade and investments," said Etienne Berchtold, the Ambassador of Austria to the UAE.
"The dedication of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed and other ministers to this relationship is truly remarkable," the ambassador emphasized in an interview at the Austrian Embassy, coinciding with the celebration of Austrian National Day on October 26. Berchtold underscored the solid and multifaceted relationship between the two nations, encompassing various domains, from people-to-people exchanges to political, economic, and cultural ties. This enduring bilateral connection traces its roots back to the time of the UAE's late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the then Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, who initially met in 1973, formalizing their diplomatic relations on March 10, 1974.
"Austria views the UAE not only as a strategic partner but also as a close friend. We take great pride in this relationship, united in our pursuit of shared objectives such as the promotion of multiculturalism, tolerance, and global peace," Berchtold affirmed.
In the past year, the UAE and Austria solidified their partnership through a Strategic Energy Security and Industrial Cooperation (SESIC) agreement, focusing on collaborative projects in refined products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), renewables, and hydrogen and its derivatives. Berchtold noted that the UAE's willingness to supply Austria with LNG to address current geopolitical challenges signifies the strength of their partnership, which extends to discussions on cooperation in hydrogen, renewables, and other areas. He expressed optimism that this relationship will continue to flourish.
A significant milestone was the recent visit of an Abu Dhabi delegation to Vienna to explore Austria's advancements in smart cities, smart grids, waste management, and sustainability. Austria boasts well-established companies that offer tailored solutions in sustainability, waste management, and decarbonization, and Austrian participation in projects like Etihad Rail holds substantial promise.
Over 200 Austrian companies have established a presence in the UAE, including notable ones such as OMV, Borealis, ALPLA, Doka, and Unger Steel. Furthermore, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) acquired a 24.9% stake in OMV from Mubadala in the previous year, a testament to the success of these partnerships. Berchtold referred to these collaborations as the backbone of bilateral relationships, emphasizing Austria's interest in fostering and expanding the trade relationship, with the trade volume expected to reach approximately $1 billion.
Berchtold also highlighted Austria's full support for COP28, underscoring the UAE's leadership in the fight against climate change and expressing optimism about achieving ambitious outcomes under the guidance of Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate and UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. Austria intends to participate in COP28 with a high-level delegation comprising ministers, business leaders, civil servants, and more.
Tourism, education, and cultural exchange are other vital areas of cooperation, with close to 400,000 overnight stays by UAE visitors in Austria recorded this year. Simultaneously, more Austrians are discovering the beauty of the Emirates, fostering a flourishing people-to-people exchange. The presence of direct daily flights further enhances these ties, with strong interest in cooperation in tertiary education and discussions with institutions like Khalifa University and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) to establish collaboration in artificial intelligence.
Berchtold proudly mentioned that over 2,500 Austrians have chosen the UAE as their home, enjoying the high quality of life the Emirates offer. He concluded by expressing his honor in serving as an ambassador and witnessing the dynamic and innovative nature of the country, underlining its promising future.