AUSTRIA, July 13 - On 14 July 2022, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg welcomed Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to Vienna for a working visit. The main topics under discussion were bilateral issues as well as the impact of the Russian war of aggression on the Central European neighbourhood and the Western Balkans. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó also discussed European energy security. In light of the construction of a new reactor in Hungary, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg reiterated that nuclear energy was not an acceptable energy source for Austria.

The two foreign ministers discussed the impact of the Russian war of aggression on the Central European neighbourhood. Important issues were the energy crisis and the provision of care for Ukrainian refugees. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó thanked Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg for Austria’s commitment to providing essential services for Ukrainian refugees. In addition, the two foreign ministers also debated the geopolitical consequences of the Russian attack for the Western Balkan states. In this context, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg warned that an anti-Western way of life could prevail in the Western Balkans, and that Russia could have a destabilising effect there if no progress was made in moving closer to the EU.

Austria and Hungary agree that we cannot afford to have geostrategic tunnel vision when it comes to the Western Balkans. Expansion is the best geopolitical tool we have – it is either our way of life or another one,

said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

Bilateral issues were also on the agenda of their meeting. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg particularly emphasised Austria’s strong economic relations with its neighbour Hungary. More than 1,400 Austrian companies are active in Hungary, creating more than 70,000 jobs. They help make Austria one of the largest investors in Hungary. Conversely, Hungary is Austria’s seventh-largest export partner. Following a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, trade relations picked up steam again in the past year.

The trade relations between Austria and Hungary were once again in full swing last year. Our exports to Hungary increased by 24%, and imports from Hungary increased by 22%. These are clear signs of a strong trade relationship,

said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

Before their working meeting, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó took part in the official presentation of the new Ringturm tower wrapping. The work located in the heart of Vienna, titled “With each other”, was designed by Hungarian artist Dóra Maurer and is a highly visible sign of the bond between the two countries.