Austria's Middle East Connection: Exploring The Unexpected Link

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It is not in the Middle East, which comprises Israel and its neighbours: the Palestinians, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. However, Austria's foreign policy has long focused on the Middle East, and the country has a tradition of actively supporting the peace process in the region. Austria has good relations with Israel and the Arab countries and is committed to a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also supports various countries in the region through development cooperation and humanitarian aid.

Austria is not in the Middle East, it's in Central Europe

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous city and state. Austria is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The country occupies an area of 83,879 sq km (32,386 sq mi) and has a population of around 9 million.

Austria is not in the Middle East. It is in Central Europe.

The native name for Austria, Österreich, derives from the Old High German Ostarrîchi, which meant "eastern realm". The name Austria is a Latinisation of the German name and was first recorded in the 12th century. At the time, the Danube basin of Austria (Upper and Lower Austria) was the easternmost extent of Bavaria.

Austria was a prefecture of Bavaria created in 976. The word "Austria" first appeared in the "Ostarrîchi document" of 996. This word is probably a translation of Medieval Latin Marchia orientalis into a local (Bavarian) dialect.

Austria was a major imperial power in Central Europe for centuries in various state guises, until the fall of its Habsburg dynasty after World War One. However, its position at the geographical heart of Europe, and its neutral status during the Cold War between NATO and the Soviet bloc, maintained the much-reduced country's strategic significance.

Austria is now a member of the European Union, though not NATO, and an enduring legacy of its decades of post-war neutrality can be seen in the large number of international organisations that call its capital Vienna their home. These include the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and OPEC, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Austria has a long tradition of supporting the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP)

Austria has maintained a close partnership with Israel since establishing diplomatic relations in 1956. In 2022, the two countries concluded a Strategic Partnership to deepen their bilateral relations. Austria also has a history of supporting Israel's peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan.

Austria has also established early relations with the Palestinians. In 1980, the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) mission to the international organisations in Vienna was accredited bilaterally to Austria. In 1998, Austria opened a Representative Office in Ramallah. While Austria does not recognise Palestine as a state bilaterally, it supports a negotiated two-state solution in the MEPP.

Austria maintains an intensive development cooperation program with the Palestinian government and other development organisations in the fields of health, water management, and the environment, as well as in building sustainable and effective institutions. In 2012, Austria supported the recognition of Palestine as a non-member observer state by the UN General Assembly.

Austria is also a contributor of troops to the UN mission in southern Lebanon, which supports Israel and Lebanon in determining and marking the ceasefire line.

Austria has a history of active involvement in the UN, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE (international organisations)

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is not in the Middle East. The country has a history of active involvement in the UN, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE (international organisations).

Austria joined the United Nations Organisation (UN) on 14 December 1955 as its 70th member. As one of four UN headquarters worldwide, Austria is a strong advocate for effective multilateralism, international dialogue, and a UN that is fit for the 21st century. The country has been elected thrice to the Security Council and twice to the UN Human Rights Council.

Austria has been a member of the Council of Europe since 1955. The country has a Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. In 2024, the Council of Europe celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Austria is also a member of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and hosts the organisation's headquarters.

In addition to its involvement in the UN, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE, Austria is a founding member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Interpol. It is also a member of the European Union and has signed the Schengen Agreement.

Austria's foreign policy is focused on good relations with Israel, Arab countries, and Iran

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It is not part of the Middle East. However, Austria's foreign policy is focused on maintaining good relations with Israel, Arab countries, and Iran.

Austria has a long tradition of actively supporting the peace process in the Middle East. The country aims to achieve and implement a two-state solution in a peaceful Israeli-Palestinian neighbourhood within secure and mutually recognized borders. Normalization of relations between Israel and all Arab countries, as well as between Israel and Iran, is seen as crucial. A number of Arab countries have already established diplomatic ties with Israel following the Abraham Accords.

Austria recognizes the rich cultural heritage it shares with its European neighbours on the shores of the Mediterranean. The country has a history of bridge-building with Eastern Europe and the states of the former Soviet Union, increasing contacts at all levels, including business, investment, trade, political leaders, students, cultural groups, and tourism.

Austria has also been an active participant in UN-led peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. It attaches great importance to its participation in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and other international economic organizations. Vienna, the capital, hosts the Secretariat of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the headquarters of several other international organizations.

Austria's relations with Israel are influenced by the fact that many Israelis are descendants of Austrian Jews, and that Adolf Hitler and other perpetrators of the Holocaust came from Austria. After recognizing the Jewish state of Israel in 1949, Austria established official diplomatic relations in 1956. Relations have been strained at times, particularly during the Waldheim affair in the 1980s and when the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) joined the coalition government in 2000, leading Israel to recall its ambassador. However, relations have improved in recent years, with both countries becoming close allies and forming a strategic partnership in 2022.

Austria has an embassy in Tehran and enjoys diplomatic relations with Iran. However, in 2018, Austria revoked the diplomatic immunity of an Iranian diplomat in Vienna due to his alleged role in a French bomb plot.

Austria has a history of relations with many Arab countries, including those in North Africa. The country is an observer state of the League of Arab States and holds regular ministerial meetings with the organization. Austria has also been active in supporting democratic transition processes in the region, such as the so-called "Arab Spring" in 2011, and providing humanitarian aid and development cooperation.

Austria is a member of the European Union and has held the Presidency of the Council of the EU three times

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is not in the Middle East. It is a member of the European Union, having joined in 1995. Austria has held the Presidency of the Council of the EU three times: in 1998, 2006, and 2018.

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is responsible for the functioning of the Council of the European Union, which is the co-legislator of the EU legislature alongside the European Parliament. The presidency rotates among the member states of the EU every six months. The position is held by a national government, not an individual. The presidency's function is to chair meetings of the council, determine its agendas, set a work program, and facilitate dialogue both at Council meetings and with other EU institutions.

Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with a chancellor who is the head of government and a president who is the head of state. The country consists of nine states (Bundesländer). Both regional and federal governments exercise executive power. The federal Parliament has two chambers: the directly elected Lower House (Nationalrat) and the Upper House (Bundesrat) which is elected by regional parliaments.

Austria ranks fifth in the European Union in terms of GDP per capita, with €46,200, well above the EU average of €37,600. It accounts for 2.8% of the EU's total GDP. Austria has 20 representatives in the European Parliament and 12 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee.

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