Security Hotspots in Focus: Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg Visits U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken in Washington

As a sign of the strong transatlantic partnership, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met with his counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in Washington, D.C. on February 7, 2023. The main topics discussed at the first bilateral meeting between the two foreign ministers were fourfold: cooperation on the Russian war of aggression, the situation in the Western Balkans, the expansion of the Strategic Partnership between Austria and the United States, and the earthquake disaster in Turkey. During the two-day trip, Foreign Minister Schallenberg also met with White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, and CIA Director William Burns. He also held discussions with students, Austrians living abroad in the USA, and the executives of Austrian companies in the USA.

The major focus of the trip to the U.S. as well as the conversation with Secretary Antony Blinken was increasing cooperation to address multiple crises. Austria is a strong and highly valued partner for the United States, as U.S. Secretary of State Blinken emphasized at the very beginning of the talks. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has demonstrated in particular how important the transatlantic partnership remains and how well it continues to function. The reason for this strong partnership is not merely the strong foundation of values on which it is based. Beyond this shared fundament of values, our focus is now on how we as transatlantic partners can better protect and promote these values, such as the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. Austria and the United States also want to work together to provide Ukraine with the best possible support.

Also discussed were the consequences of Russia's war of aggression on the European and international security architecture, as well as the joint efforts of Austria and the United States for the security and stability of the countries of the Western Balkans. Due to Austria's expertise and experience in the region, good cooperation on equal footing has developed over the past several years. At the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken praised Austria's unique leadership role Western Balkan issues. The goal is to prevent violence from spilling over into the region and to continue to support stability, the rule of law, democracy, and reform. In fact, both the U.S. and Austria want to cooperate more closely on other security hot spots in the Caucasus, the Indo-Pacific, and Iran.

Ahead of the meeting with Secretary Antony Blinken, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met with security experts, including White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, and CIA Director William Burns. During the talks, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg praised the good cooperation between the intelligence agencies and underscored Austria's efforts to promote stability and security.

In addition to cooperation on foreign policy issues, the partnership between Austria and the United States is being strengthened in other areas as well. The basis for this growth is the Strategic Partnership concluded in 2019. After three years of pandemic-related restrictions on contact and travel, it is now particularly important to promote "people-to-people" contact again. Foreign Minister Schallenberg, for example, suggested new initiatives in the fields of science, research, and the arts. Other initiatives such as a "work and travel" program and an exchange program for media professionals are planned and will soon be implemented.

In terms of economic activity, Austrian-American relations are currently experiencing a boom. Austrian exports to the United States are higher than ever before. In addition, there is close cooperation to establish dual education programs in the United States, modeled after Austrian apprenticeships practices, in order to counter the shortage of skilled workers. On the topics of economic cooperation and the opportunities and hurdles of the U.S. market, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met with several executives of U.S. subsidiaries of Austrian companies at a ReFocus Austria event on Monday, February 6.

Immediately after his arrival in Washington, D.C., the Foreign Minister attended an event with Austrians living abroad in the U.S. For Austrians abroad, the Foreign Ministry and its embassies are not only service points, but also links to home. Maintaining this connection is of particular importance to him, said the Foreign Minister at the event in the Embassy. In addition, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg held discussions with master's students from the renowned School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University as part of his trip to Washington.

Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Washington, DC © BMEIA / Michael GRUBER