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The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Austria on the occasion of the 2023 U.S. – Austria Strategic Dialogue.
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The Governments of Austria and the United States held the annual U.S. – Austria Strategic Dialogue in Vienna on December 4, 2023. The Strategic Dialogue was hosted by the Austrian Foreign Ministry's Political Director, Ambassador Gregor W. Kssler. The United States was represented by Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Ambassador James C. O'Brien. 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 issues; the importance of upholding the international rules-based order; Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine; issues concerning the Middle East and the PRC; defending and advancing human rights and democracy; the fight against racism, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim hatred; support for Holocaust survivors; disarmament and non-proliferation; and the Western Balkans. In this regard, both sides fully supported the prospective EU accession of the Western Balkans countries.
Austria and the United States expressed unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, discussed the situation in the Middle East, and reaffirmed their joint commitment to and solidarity with Israel in light of the Hamas terror attacks on October 7. They reiterated their concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need for unhindered humanitarian access and the protection of civilians.
The Strategic Dialogue in Vienna focused on shared interests and values and the commitment to increased cooperation on a broad range of issues, such as the State Partnership Program between Austria and Vermont, apprenticeships, foreign information manipulation and other forms of malign foreign influence, and enhanced people-to-people exchanges, including professional development and cultural exchanges. The two sides noted economic relations between Austria and the United States continue to be strong, robust, and flourishing.
As part of the Austria-U.S. Strategic Partnership, both sides emphasized the importance of transatlantic cooperation in addressing geopolitical issues and stressed the significance and contributions of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe to regional security. Austria, also in its capacity as a member of the European Union, and the United States are dedicated to strengthening their transatlantic relationship and reaffirmed their commitment to their shared values of promoting democracy and human rights.
Both sides expressed a strong interest in continuing and deepening the bilateral strategic partnership. The parties plan to hold the next meeting in Washington in 2024.
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