Interview
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, speaks to journalists during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, on February 29, 2024. Photo: AP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are “important trade and business” hubs for Austria, highlighted Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, while noting that bilateral trade between Vienna and Baghdad is the highest in over a decade.
“For the first time since 2013, our bilateral trade volume with Iraq has exceeded the 100 Mio. threshold, with significant contributions from trading activities with the Kurdistan Region,” Schallenberg told Rudaw in an interview on Wednesday.
This comes a day after Schallenberg received Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in an official visit in Vienna.
The exchange between the two leaders “aimed to explore collaborative opportunities with the Kurdistan Region in sectors like security, migration, economic development, and energy initiatives,” the minister said.
Austria is a member of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition that continues to support Iraqi and Kurdish fighters against ISIS remnants in Iraq.
“We also discussed broader regional developments, including the current situation in the Middle East,” he added.
Schallenberg said that Vienna is “committed to fostering robust relationships with both Baghdad and Erbil.”
For his part, Barzani “praised Austria’s enduring ties with the Kurdistan Region and expressed gratitude for Austria’s assistance and support during challenging times,” according to a statement released by his office.
“The meeting also addressed topics such as the refugee situation in the Kurdistan Region, the ISIS threat, migration, and other mutual concerns. The Iraqi Ambassador and the Kurdistan Regional Government Representative in Austria were present at the meeting,” the statement added.
The following is the transcript of the interview with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg:
Rudaw: What did Austria discuss with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani?
Alexander Schallenberg: Our exchange aimed to explore collaborative opportunities with the Kurdistan Region in sectors like security, migration, economic development, and energy initiatives. We also discussed broader regional developments, including the current situation in the Middle East.
The Kurdistan Region President has strong relations with Baghdad, as well as with parties within the Kurdistan Region and neighboring countries. Is this important for Austria in its relations with the Kurdistan Region?
We are committed to fostering robust relationships with both Baghdad and Erbil. In this context, we highly value President Barzani's high political profile and his strong personal connections, both with Prime Minister Sudani, within the Iraqi political landscape and throughout the region as a whole.
Last month, a migrant ship sank off the coast of Italy, and most of the passengers were Kurds. What policy does Austria want to adopt towards immigrants from the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in general?
We deeply regret this tragedy, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families. Together with partners from Iraq and the Iraqi-Kurdistan Region, we are dedicated to combating illegal migration. Austria is committed to improve migration management and cooperation. This is part of a comprehensive approach to security cooperation, including in internal security and police matters, with a focus combating smuggling of migrants and human trafficking. We cooperate harmoniously with both Bagdad and Erbil in this regard.
Austria has had extensive trade relations with Iraq in the past. How does Austria plan to strengthen its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region?
The Kurdistan Region as well as Iraq as a whole, is an important trade and business hub. I reopened the Austrian Embassy in Baghdad in September 2023 which enhanced trade and investment potential between Austria and Iraq including the Kurdistan Region. During my visit to Erbil in September last year, I opened a very well-attended bilateral economic forum in Erbil. Austrian companies engaged with potential business partners through tailored B2B meetings. Following this visit economic relations have intensified. For the first time since 2013, our bilateral trade volume with Iraq has exceeded the 100 Mio. threshold, with significant contributions from trading activities with the Kurdistan Region. Austria has a lot to offer when it comes to environmentally friendly technology, sustainable industrial products, telecommunications infrastructure, as well as crisis management and fire fighting vehicles and equipment. We are very interested in contributing to the sustainability agenda of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Why doesn't Austria open a consulate in the Kurdistan Region?
Austria highly values its relationship with the Kurdistan Region and continuously evaluates the best ways to enhance cooperation. In this spirit, the issue of an Austrian representation in Erbil was discussed and will be jointly explored further. Both sides remain committed to finding a tailored solution that satisfies both parties as soon as possible.
“For the first time since 2013, our bilateral trade volume with Iraq has exceeded the 100 Mio. threshold, with significant contributions from trading activities with the Kurdistan Region,” Schallenberg told Rudaw in an interview on Wednesday.
This comes a day after Schallenberg received Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in an official visit in Vienna.
The exchange between the two leaders “aimed to explore collaborative opportunities with the Kurdistan Region in sectors like security, migration, economic development, and energy initiatives,” the minister said.
Austria is a member of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition that continues to support Iraqi and Kurdish fighters against ISIS remnants in Iraq.
“We also discussed broader regional developments, including the current situation in the Middle East,” he added.
Schallenberg said that Vienna is “committed to fostering robust relationships with both Baghdad and Erbil.”
For his part, Barzani “praised Austria’s enduring ties with the Kurdistan Region and expressed gratitude for Austria’s assistance and support during challenging times,” according to a statement released by his office.
“The meeting also addressed topics such as the refugee situation in the Kurdistan Region, the ISIS threat, migration, and other mutual concerns. The Iraqi Ambassador and the Kurdistan Regional Government Representative in Austria were present at the meeting,” the statement added.
The following is the transcript of the interview with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg:
Rudaw: What did Austria discuss with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani?
Alexander Schallenberg: Our exchange aimed to explore collaborative opportunities with the Kurdistan Region in sectors like security, migration, economic development, and energy initiatives. We also discussed broader regional developments, including the current situation in the Middle East.
The Kurdistan Region President has strong relations with Baghdad, as well as with parties within the Kurdistan Region and neighboring countries. Is this important for Austria in its relations with the Kurdistan Region?
We are committed to fostering robust relationships with both Baghdad and Erbil. In this context, we highly value President Barzani's high political profile and his strong personal connections, both with Prime Minister Sudani, within the Iraqi political landscape and throughout the region as a whole.
Last month, a migrant ship sank off the coast of Italy, and most of the passengers were Kurds. What policy does Austria want to adopt towards immigrants from the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in general?
We deeply regret this tragedy, and our thoughts are with the victims and their families. Together with partners from Iraq and the Iraqi-Kurdistan Region, we are dedicated to combating illegal migration. Austria is committed to improve migration management and cooperation. This is part of a comprehensive approach to security cooperation, including in internal security and police matters, with a focus combating smuggling of migrants and human trafficking. We cooperate harmoniously with both Bagdad and Erbil in this regard.
Austria has had extensive trade relations with Iraq in the past. How does Austria plan to strengthen its relations with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region?
The Kurdistan Region as well as Iraq as a whole, is an important trade and business hub. I reopened the Austrian Embassy in Baghdad in September 2023 which enhanced trade and investment potential between Austria and Iraq including the Kurdistan Region. During my visit to Erbil in September last year, I opened a very well-attended bilateral economic forum in Erbil. Austrian companies engaged with potential business partners through tailored B2B meetings. Following this visit economic relations have intensified. For the first time since 2013, our bilateral trade volume with Iraq has exceeded the 100 Mio. threshold, with significant contributions from trading activities with the Kurdistan Region. Austria has a lot to offer when it comes to environmentally friendly technology, sustainable industrial products, telecommunications infrastructure, as well as crisis management and fire fighting vehicles and equipment. We are very interested in contributing to the sustainability agenda of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Why doesn't Austria open a consulate in the Kurdistan Region?
Austria highly values its relationship with the Kurdistan Region and continuously evaluates the best ways to enhance cooperation. In this spirit, the issue of an Austrian representation in Erbil was discussed and will be jointly explored further. Both sides remain committed to finding a tailored solution that satisfies both parties as soon as possible.
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