The following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Austria on the occasion of the U.S.–Austria Strategic Dialogue.
The Governments of the United States and Austria held the annual U.S.–Austria Strategic Dialogue in Washington on June 17, 2024. The Strategic Dialogue was hosted by Ambassador James C. O’Brien, Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs. Austria was represented by Ambassador Gregor W. Kössler, the Austrian Foreign Ministry’s Political Director. The meeting also featured senior representatives from the Austrian Foreign Ministry and the U.S. Department of State.
Topics discussed during the Strategic Dialogue included global and regional security, including crisis management efforts; foreign information manipulation and malign influence; cybersecurity and ransomware, including the recent Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) regional workshop hosted by Austria; energy security and sanctions enforcement in light of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; relations with the Middle East; shared challenges related to China (PRC); shared concerns regarding racism, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim hatred; protection of human rights in light of new technologies; disarmament and non-proliferation policies; and support for European integration of the Western Balkans through programs like “Speak Up!” aimed at engaging young leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The United States and Austria expressed unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Both nations are determined to continue providing Ukraine with necessary political, financial, economic, humanitarian, and diplomatic support as long as needed. They also discussed Middle East issues, reaffirming their commitment to a peace settlement in Gaza while emphasizing Israel's security needs, calling for all remaining hostages held by Hamas to be returned, addressing humanitarian crises, securing aid access, and protecting civilians.
The dialogue highlighted shared interests and values with a commitment to increased cooperation across various areas such as the State Partnership Program between Austria and Vermont, implementing a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on apprenticeship cooperation signed in 2022, countering foreign information manipulation. Enhanced people-to-people exchanges were celebrated through initiatives like a Memorandum of Understanding on Professional Development and Cultural Exchange and a U.S.-Austria Citizen Dialogue on Global Challenges. Economic relations between Austria and the United States were noted as strong.
As part of their strategic partnership, both sides emphasized transatlantic cooperation's importance in addressing geopolitical issues while highlighting contributions from organizations like the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe towards regional security. Both countries committed to strengthening their transatlantic relationship based on shared democratic values.
Both parties expressed strong interest in continuing their bilateral strategic partnership with plans to hold the next session of this dialogue in Vienna in 2025.
