Pakistan and Austria agreed to deepen bilateral ties Monday, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded the first visit by a Pakistani premier to Vienna in over three decades.
The visit, which began Sunday, saw Sharif meet with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker for both restricted and delegation-level talks at the Federal Chancellery, according to a press release from Pakistan’s Press Information Department (PID). Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch comprised the Pakistani delegation.
Both leaders affirmed the historical strength of their countries’ relationship and expressed a commitment to increased cooperation in areas including economic cooperation, trade, investment, tourism, education, information technology, healthcare, and workforce development. They agreed to expedite the finalization of existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) related to these sectors, the PID statement read.
Sharif and Stocker too discussed regional and global developments, emphasizing the central role of the United Nations in addressing issues of peace, security, dispute resolution, sustainable development, climate action, and human rights. They reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and mutual support within the UN system, according to the PID.
“The Prime Minister thanked the Chancellor for the meaningful and productive meetings, which he said would lend fresh impetus to bilateral ties,” the PID statement continued. Sharif extended an invitation to Stocker to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
A meeting of chief executive officers from leading Austrian and Pakistani companies was co-chaired by Sharif and Stocker. Participants agreed to enhance government-to-government (G2G), government-to-business (G2B), and business-to-business (B2B) engagement through existing platforms. Sharif invited Austrian businesses to participate in the EU-Pakistan Business Forum scheduled for Islamabad in April, according to the PID.
An MoU between Pakistani and Austrian companies was signed during the visit, witnessed by Sharif and Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Vice President Carmen Goby.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Sharif highlighted the significance of the visit, noting it coincided with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Pakistan-Austria diplomatic relations. He described the meeting with Stocker as “most warm and productive,” reiterating the commitment to closer collaboration.
Alongside discussions on economic ties, Sharif also addressed the issue of illegal migration. Speaking at the Pakistan-Austria High-Level Business Roundtable in Vienna, he stated that Pakistan is collaborating with European partners, including Austria, France, and Germany, to combat illegal immigration. He assured Austria that Pakistan would meet its demand for skilled labor, adhering to international certification standards. A 2023 study by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union (EU) found that 24,000 Pakistanis entered EU countries illegally over the past three years.
Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s potential in agriculture, suggesting Austrian expertise and technology could enhance value-addition in areas like citrus fruit processing and export. He also noted that 60 percent of Pakistan’s population is young and requires modern training in areas like artificial intelligence and information technology.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar delivered opening remarks at the roundtable, emphasizing the need to expand cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and innovation. He highlighted Pakistan’s economic reforms and efforts to improve the ease of doing business, noting the “natural complementarities” between Austria’s technological strengths and Pakistan’s market and workforce.
Upon arrival at the Austrian Chancellery, Sharif was welcomed by Stocker and received a guard of honour. National anthems of both countries were played, and the leaders introduced their respective delegations before proceeding with formal talks.
