Egypt and Austria held the first round of political consultations in Vienna on Wednesday, as Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati met his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation and coordinate on regional and international issues.
The consultations were launched under a mechanism agreed during Meinl-Reisinger’s visit to Cairo in June 2025.
Minister Abdel Aati expressed Egypt’s commitment to strengthening political, economic, technical and cultural ties, while enhancing coordination with Austria ahead of its non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council for the 2027–2029 term.
He called for reactivating the Egyptian-Austrian Joint Committee to advance economic cooperation.
He also proposed closer collaboration on legal seasonal and migrant labour through a bilateral agreement that would support regulated labour mobility and help combat irregular migration.
The minister also called for stronger trade and investment ties, encouraging Austrian companies to explore opportunities in Egypt, particularly in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, renewable energy and green hydrogen projects.
The two sides discussed regional issues, with Minister Abdel Aati stressing the need to complete the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan to ensure full humanitarian access and create conditions for early recovery and reconstruction.
He underscored the importance of enabling the Palestinian Authority to assume its responsibilities in both Gaza and the West Bank. He also condemned the continued Israeli violations in the occupied West Bank.
The two ministers also exchanged views on developments across the Middle East, including Syria, Lebanon and Sudan.
Minister Abdel Aati reaffirmed Egypt’s support for political and diplomatic solutions, respect for state sovereignty and efforts to reduce regional tensions.
On the sidelines of the visit, Abdel Aati signed an air services agreement between Egypt and Austria to strengthen travel, tourism and trade.
He also attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Vienna’s Museum of Art History and Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities to promote cooperation and the exchange of expertise in museum and heritage management.
