First Austrian Embassy will open in Georgia
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Austria will open its first Embassy in Georgia in the second half of 2018.
As part of cost cutting measures, plans were in place for the country to close its Embassies in the Baltic States and Malta and to open diplomatic representations in other "strategically important countries”, including Georgia, Moldova and Belarus.
This decision was announced by Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, Baltic media reported.
"I think that the Russian threat to Georgia is much more grave,” Kurz said.
"We focus on the countries that have particularly tense relationships with Russia."
Closing existing Austrian Embassies in Baltic States would not be a negative thing, said the Minister.
He stressed Baltic nations were already represented in the European Union and NATO and for this reason Austria was already "well represented” in the Baltic States in terms of consular assistance and economic cooperation.
Meanwhile the decision to close several Embassies and open others in new countries, including Georgia, would help the country save €36 million, believed the Austrian Foreign Minister.
Georgia believes the president of Austria's visit to Tbilisi is a "clear demonstration of support” in the run-up to the Riga Eastern Partnership (EaP) Summit.
Two business forums are being held today in Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, being attended by official delegations from Austria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Georgia and Austria are intensifying their relations in all fields, especially in agriculture and environment protection. The presidents of the two countries met and discussed bilateral collaboration issues in Tbilisi today.
President of Austria Heinz Fischer is coming to Tbilisi today. An official welcoming ceremony for the Austrian President and First Lady will take place at Giorgi Margvelashvili’s presidential residence in Avlabari, Tbilisi.
A second country is wanting to learn more about Georgia's unique cash management system, which helps the country's financial sector operate as effectively as possible.
Developing the level of agricultural cooperation between Georgia and Austria was the focus of a meeting between representatives of the two countries today.
Parliament of Austria is rejecting the new alliance between Russia and Georgia’s breakaway Abkhazia region and says it would continue to be a strong supporter of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.
Austrian Federal Minister of Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz is in Tbilisi and holding talks with Georgian leadership in Tbilisi today and tomorrow.
For the first time in Georgia’s recent history of independence, Austria is being represented with an Ambassador in Georgia.
The stable and calm pre-election environment that is present in Georgia prior to upcoming important elections is clearly visible,” the second President of the National Council of Austria Karlheinz Kopf told Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili at a meeting in Tbilisi.