Strengthening the strategic relationship between Switzerland and Austria was the focus of today’s talks between Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and his counterpart Ignacio Cassis. The two ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
In August 2020, Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced the conclusion of strategic partnership agreements with other innovative countries, in order to strengthen exchanges also beyond the European Union. Switzerland is the first of several countries that Austria has enteredinto such a partnership with. Countries like Norway, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Uruguay, Ethiopia, Costa Rica and the United Arab Emirates are to follow. The aim is to promote tailor-made concepts of economic or scientific cooperation.
The cooperation with Switzerland has already been excellent. But every long-standing partnership needs an update every now and then, a makeover, so to speak. This Strategic Partnership will be a political impulse for the future of our cooperation,
emphasises Alexander Schallenberg.
As host states of numerous international organisations, Switzerland and Austria pursue similar foreign policy goals and invoke the same values.
Especially concerning global and European challenges, exchange and close coordination with neighbours and friends is essential. Not only do we face the same challenges, but we also share the same values and life models. As strong, smaller countries in the heart of Europe, “intensive neighbourhood” has long been a proven and lived best practice between Austria and Switzerland,
said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the signing ceremony.
The aim of the partnership is to develop exchanges in essential areas beyond the COVID-19 crisis into a longer-term asset. These include peacebuilding, prosperity and sustainability, combating pandemics, research and youth exchange.
The signature of the two foreign ministers is also the starting signal for concrete implementation: Talks are already taking place at ambassadorial and expert level to deepen cooperation, for example on the issue of border controls in the Lake Constance region or in the area of trade.
Switzerland is Austria’s fourth largest trading partner and second-most important consumer of services. In addition, over 9,000 Austrian cross-border commuters and five million overnight stays by Swiss guests each year result in a lively human exchange.
The new Strategic Partnership with Switzerland is part of our strategy for the future and a step on the way out of the crisis,
concludes Foreign Minister Schallenberg.
