VIENNA — Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz held a meeting here on Thursday. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries in various fields, the UAE's official news agency WAM reported. The two sides discussed bolstering their cooperation to serve their mutual interests and reviewed the latest developments regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern. The Austrian chancellor underlined the visit's importance in driving the growth of the relations between their countries and enhancing cooperation efforts. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed said that the relations between the UAE and Austria are strong and getting stronger and solid since they were established in 1974, at all levels, especially in the economic, investment, political, cultural and other fields. He pointed out that the friendly relations between UAE and Austria date back to the era of the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the late Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, when they first met in 1973. The crown prince of Abu Dhabi said, "I have great confidence that there are many opportunities available to leverage cooperation between the two countries in various fields,'' noting the importance of cooperation in the area of the university and academic education and scientific research. Sheikh Mohamed stressed the prominent role Austria can play in consolidating the foundations of stability and peace in the region. He affirmed the UAE's keenness to exchange views and consult with its friends, especially Austria, reiterating that the UAE's position and vision towards these developments stem from its longstanding principles and values in support of everything that achieves peace, stability and cooperation in the region. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed said that the two countries are adopting a clear strategy in countering extremism and terrorism in all its manifestations and forms and drying up their sources of financing, which aim at the security and stability of states, the capabilities of their peoples and the fragmentation of their societies. He praised the steps recently taken by the Austrian government and parliament, which were reinforced with a package of laws, to combat extremism and terrorism and eradicate them from their roots. For his part, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said: "It is a great honor to welcome Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on his first official visit to Austria." "The UAE is our main trading partner in the Arab world, and a close ally in promoting innovation and green technologies and effective pluralism,'' he added. Kurz stressed, "Strong international partnerships are more important than ever before... I am pleased that we were able to strengthen our close bilateral relations today by entering into a strategic partnership." He explained that the UAE and Austria will work closely together in vital areas such as renewable energy, hydrogen, youth exchanges, business and research. Later in the evening, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi left Vienna after a day-long visit to Austria. The Austrian chancellor led an entourage of senior Austrian officials to see off Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed at the Vienna International Airport.
