Austrian Embassy Opens in Tbilisi

TBILISI - Austria's diplomatic mission in Georgia officially opened its Embassy in the capital Tbilisi on September 22 as part of the official visit of Michael Linhart, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria to Georgia.

“It’s a historic day for both of our countries,” said Gigi Gigiadze, Deputy to the Foreign Minister of Georgia, noting the importance of the 24-year bilateral partnership between the two countries, through which the Austrian government has continuously supported Georgia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and European integration.

Gigiadze also said the first official visit to Georgia by Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz is set for 2017. The visit will coincide with the resumption of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) chairmanship by the Austrian government.

The opening of the Austrian embassy will both strengthen and widen bilateral relations between the two countries.

“The implementation of the Association Agreement is very important for us. The Eastern Partnership and Eastern policy of the EU, we can contribute to the implementation of the agreement. The OSCE chairmanship is a big challenge for us and we need Georgia as a key strategic partner,” Linchart said. Austro-Georgian relations, and the establishment of the Austrian Development Agency in 2013 which began cooperation in the sectors of infrastructure, food and agriculture.

Austro-Georgian relations have recently included the establishment of the Austrian Development Agency in 2013. The agency handles cooperation in the infrastructure, food and agriculture sectors.

Nino Gugunishvili