Austria–Moldova relations
Encyclopedia
Austrian-Moldovan relations are foreign relations between Austria
and Moldova
. Both countries established the diplomatic relations on March 25, 1992. Austria is represented in Moldova through its embassy in Bucharest
(Romania
) and through an honorary consulate in Chişinău
. Moldova has an embassy in Vienna
and an honorary consulate in Innsbruck
.
, visited Austria. In 1997, Petru Lucinschi
, President of Moldova, participated in Salzburg
at the Economical Summit of central and eastern Europe. In 1999, Petru Lucinschi met with Benita Ferrero-Waldner
, State Secretary to the Austrian Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said that there were bright prospects for Moldova and Austria to expand their bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation, and spoke up for more active Austrian investment in privatized Moldovan enterprises and for creating the legal framework to broaden the bilateral interaction.
In 2003 Vladimir Voronin
, President of Moldova, participated at the 10th meeting of the heads of states from Central Europe in in Salzburg
, Austria, at a meeting that gave leaders from countries across the continent the chance to exchange ideas on an equal footing. In July 2007, Austrian State Secretary Hans Winkler met the Moldovan Deputy Foreign Minister, and stated that Moldova's course of reform was also in Austria's Interest.
In January 2008, Vladimir Voronin met the director general for external economic relations at the Austrian Federal Economy and Labour Ministry Johann Sachs on a visit to Moldova. They discussed the recent successful meeting of the Moldovan-Austrian intergovernmental commission, and possibilities of developing Moldovan-Austrian trade and cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture and tourism. They noted that official data show that Moldova's exports to Austria went up by 50% and Austria's exports to Moldova by 80% in the first nine months of 2007.
In July 2000, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, minister of foreign affairs of Austria, expressed optimism about negotiations to define the Transnistrian legal status based on political stability in Moldova and its territorial integrity. In April 2006, Ursula Plassnik, foreign minister of Austria, said that Moldova is a neighbour and a partner of the community of E.U. values. Austria saluted progress in strengthening the macroeconomic situation, improving human rights and reducing corruption. Although recognizing Moldova's aspirations for entry into the E.U., she noted that this would take time. In October 2008, at the signing of an Austro-Moldovan agreement on development cooperation, Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik
said "Austria is a reliable friend and partner of Moldova." The intergovernmental agreement is designed for Moldova’s long-term social, ecological and economic development and the establishment of cooperation and development relations with Austria.
, Raiffeisen Zentralbank, which advised the Moldovan government on privatization of Moldtelecom
and the GRAWE insurance
company, one of the leading insurance companies in Moldova.
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
and Moldova
Moldova
Moldova , officially the Republic of Moldova is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East and South. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the preceding Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, as part...
. Both countries established the diplomatic relations on March 25, 1992. Austria is represented in Moldova through its embassy in Bucharest
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital municipality, cultural, industrial, and financial centre of Romania. It is the largest city in Romania, located in the southeast of the country, at , and lies on the banks of the Dâmbovița River....
(Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
) and through an honorary consulate in Chişinău
Chisinau
Chișinău is the capital and largest municipality of Moldova. It is also its main industrial and commercial centre and is located in the middle of the country, on the river Bîc...
. Moldova has an embassy in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and an honorary consulate in Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
.
Senior Official Meetings
In 1996, the President of Moldova, Mircea SnegurMircea Snegur
Mircea Ion Snegur was the first President of Moldova 1990-1996. Before that he was Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet 1989-1990 and Chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 27 April to 3 September 1990...
, visited Austria. In 1997, Petru Lucinschi
Petru Lucinschi
Petru Chiril Lucinschi was Moldova's second President .- Biography :Petru Chiril Lucinschi was born on January 27, 1940 in Rădulenii Vechi village, Soroca County, Romania...
, President of Moldova, participated in Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
at the Economical Summit of central and eastern Europe. In 1999, Petru Lucinschi met with Benita Ferrero-Waldner
Benita Ferrero-Waldner
Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner is an Austrian diplomat and politician, and a member of the conservative Austrian People's Party . Ferrero-Waldner served as the Foreign Minister of Austria 2000–2004 and was the candidate of the Austrian People's Party in the Austrian presidential election, 2004, which...
, State Secretary to the Austrian Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said that there were bright prospects for Moldova and Austria to expand their bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation, and spoke up for more active Austrian investment in privatized Moldovan enterprises and for creating the legal framework to broaden the bilateral interaction.
In 2003 Vladimir Voronin
Vladimir Voronin
Vladimir Nicolaevici Voronin is a Moldovan politician. He was the third President of Moldova from 2001 until 2009 and has been the First Secretary of the Party of Communists of the Republic of Moldova since 1994...
, President of Moldova, participated at the 10th meeting of the heads of states from Central Europe in in Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
, Austria, at a meeting that gave leaders from countries across the continent the chance to exchange ideas on an equal footing. In July 2007, Austrian State Secretary Hans Winkler met the Moldovan Deputy Foreign Minister, and stated that Moldova's course of reform was also in Austria's Interest.
In January 2008, Vladimir Voronin met the director general for external economic relations at the Austrian Federal Economy and Labour Ministry Johann Sachs on a visit to Moldova. They discussed the recent successful meeting of the Moldovan-Austrian intergovernmental commission, and possibilities of developing Moldovan-Austrian trade and cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture and tourism. They noted that official data show that Moldova's exports to Austria went up by 50% and Austria's exports to Moldova by 80% in the first nine months of 2007.
Treaties and policy statements
Austria and Moldova have agreed on various treaties covering subject such as bilateral foreign trade relations, transport, promotion and protection of Investments and avoidance of double taxation.In July 2000, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, minister of foreign affairs of Austria, expressed optimism about negotiations to define the Transnistrian legal status based on political stability in Moldova and its territorial integrity. In April 2006, Ursula Plassnik, foreign minister of Austria, said that Moldova is a neighbour and a partner of the community of E.U. values. Austria saluted progress in strengthening the macroeconomic situation, improving human rights and reducing corruption. Although recognizing Moldova's aspirations for entry into the E.U., she noted that this would take time. In October 2008, at the signing of an Austro-Moldovan agreement on development cooperation, Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik
Ursula Plassnik
Ursula Plassnik is an Austrian diplomat and politician. She was Foreign Minister of Austria between October 2004 and December 2008.-Early life and career:...
said "Austria is a reliable friend and partner of Moldova." The intergovernmental agreement is designed for Moldova’s long-term social, ecological and economic development and the establishment of cooperation and development relations with Austria.
Trade and investment
In 2005 the total volume of the trade with Austria was US$33.56 million, growing steadily. Austrian companies active in Moldova include Austrian AirlinesAustrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Austria, headquartered in Office Park 2 on the grounds of Vienna International Airport in Schwechat, Wien-Umgebung and a subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Together with regional subsidiary Tyrolean Airways and charter arm Lauda Air, it operates...
, Raiffeisen Zentralbank, which advised the Moldovan government on privatization of Moldtelecom
Moldtelecom
Moldtelecom is a national telecommunications operator in Moldova. Created on April 1, 1993 as part of the national telecommunications restructuring, Moldtelecom was a state company. On January 5, 1999 Moldtelecom was reorganized and became a Joint Stock Company with the State being the unique...
and the GRAWE insurance
GRAWE insurance
Grazer Wechselseitige Versicherung or Graz Mutual Insurance Company is one of the largest Central European insurance companies. Its headquarters are located in Graz, Austria.-History:...
company, one of the leading insurance companies in Moldova.