UAE FM meets Austrian ministers, visits OMV

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Foreign Minister, and Michael Spindelegger, Austrian Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for European '&' International Affairs, met here today to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral relations between the UAE and Austria, in trade and investment in particular. They also explored the key opportunities and incentives made available by the governments of the two countries to attract investments, expand trade and enhance cooperation between their private sectors. The two also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East, as well as regional and international matters of common interest relating to security in the Middle East and Europe. Later, Sheikh Abdullah and the Austrian Federal Minister of Economics, Family, '&' Youth, Dr. Reinhold Mitterlehner, discussed ways to enhance relations in spheres such as culture, youth, sports, as well as the possibility of opening new avenues for cooperation in the future. Sheikh Abdullah expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the UAE-Austrian Joint Committee which concluded its meeting today in Vienna, to further bilateral relations between the two counties in all spheres, to reinforce their cooperation and serve the interests of the two friendly peoples. He emphasised the importance of further meetings to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries, and of implementing the recommendations of the joint committee. He expressed confidence that the successful outcome of the meeting will serve the interests of the two countries and the progress and prosperity of their peoples. For his part, the Austrian Federal Minister of Economics, Family, '&' Youth, Dr. Reinhold Mitterlehner, hailed the outstanding stature the UAE has achieved in different fields as a result of its modernisation strategy. He also expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of cooperation between the two countries, and emphasised the importance of exchanging visits at all levels. Sheikh Abdullah also visited Austria's OMV company, in which Abu Dhabi's International Petroleum Investment Company, IPIC, has a 24.9 per cent stake, and met its chief executive officer, Gerhard Roiss. They discussed cooperation between the UAE and Austria and ways to promote them in the field of energy and related industries. Sheikh Abdullah said the UAE has a steadily growing economy and promising investment opportunities as the openness of its markets had enabled it to promote its economic and trade relations, in renewable energy sector in particular, to serve the common interests of both countries. For his part, Roiss expressed his country's interest in taking advantage of the investment opportunities available in both countries, in the field of energy in particular.