Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed's visit to Austria welcomed by UAE ambassador

Ibrahim Salim Al Musharrakh expresses his delight at visit by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi

The visit to Austria by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has been welcomed by the UAE’s ambassador to Austria.

Ibrahim Salim Al Musharrakh said he was delighted by the visit and described it as a “crowning milestone of the two countries' historical and distinguished bilateral relations".

Sheikh Mohamed arrived at Vienna Airport on Thursday, where he was greeted by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

Mr Al Musharrakh said the UAE’s vision and efforts had earned it the respect and trust of countries around the world, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation said.

“The UAE ambassador explained that the agreement to take bilateral relations with Austria to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership will create broader avenues of collaboration across fields, and strengthen the countries' co-operation in economic sectors, in addition to enhancing co-ordination on political matters, especially with regard to regional and global issues, for the good of both countries,” the ministry said.

According to the ministry, Mr Al Musharrakh said that “the UAE-Austria economic and trade relations will grow stronger in the near future, especially in the fields of technology, artificial intelligence, innovation and future technologies, renewable and clean energy, and the digital economy”.

On Thursday, Sheikh Mohamed described Vienna as a beautiful city and Mr Kurz as his friend.

“Building on our historic ties we discussed further areas of co-operation. These talks herald a new era of strategic relations intended to benefit our two nations,” Sheikh Mohamed said.

Mr Kurz said it was a great honour to welcome Sheikh Mohamed on his first official visit to Austria.

During the visit, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, signed a strategic partnership with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the Foreign Ministry in Vienna.

The agreement sets out a pathway to greater prosperity and development and calls on the two countries to work together more closely to achieve their goals.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Kurz, as well as Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon, chairman of the board of directors of Abu Dhabi Airports, Mohammed Al Mazrouei, under secretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, Ibrahim Al Musharreh, UAE ambassador to Austria, plus Gernot Blumel, Austrian Minister of Finance, and Margarete Schrambock, Minister of the Economy and several other officials.