Austria, Republic of
Consular Section
Chronology of Diplomatic Relations
Diplomatic relations between Georgia and the Republic of Austria were established on 25 March 1992.
In 1993 the Embassy of Georgia to the Republic of Austria was opened.
Embassy of the Republic of Austria in Tbilisi was launched in September 2016.
Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Austria in Tbilisi was launched on 15 March 2019.
Fields of Cooperation
Georgia and the Republic of Austria enjoy close partner relations in the fields of politics, trade, economy, inter-parliamentary, energy, agriculture and environment, law enforcement, culture and education. Of paramount importance is Georgia’s development cooperation with Austria implemented via the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), which has been operating in Georgia since 2013. Priority areas of cooperation include tourism, agriculture, forestry and regional development. Austria is Georgia’s active partner in terms of implementing Twining projects as well. The two countries closely cooperate within the framework of international organizations.
11 Agreements have been signed between Georgia and the Republic of Austria encompassing the cooperation in economy, air transport, promotion and protection of investments, avoidance of double taxation on income and capital and other areas.
The visits of high- and highest-level parliamentary and government delegations are regularly exchanged between Georgia and Austria. Among others, the Federal President, Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, high-ranking representatives of the National Council (Parliament) of Austria visited Georgia in the course of recent years. The Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other line ministers also paid their visits to Austria.
The inter-parliamentary cooperation is intensive. The Group of Friendship with Austria runs in the Parliament of Georgia whereas the Austria-Georgia Friendship Group operates in the Parliament of Austria.
With due regard for the increasing level of relations between both countries in various fields, the Embassy of the Republic of Austria was opened in Tbilisi in September 2016 upon the decision of the Austrian Government.
The Georgian-Austrian economic cooperation continues to vividly develop with Austrian companies increasingly interested in Georgia’s economic and investment potential. With Austrian funds and participation of Austrian companies, significant investment projects have been implemented and are underway in logistics, energy, tourism and other fields (“Gebrüder Weiss”, “Aragvihesi”, “Mestiatchala”, “Doppelmayer” etc.). With a view to deepening the partnership, joint business forums are regularly held and the Georgian-Austrian Joint Economic Commission meets every second year to discuss the issues of cooperation in the jointly identified priority areas.
The cooperation is also active in the fields of education, science and culture and steps are taken towards increasing the awareness on Georgia and the Georgian culture across Austria. This partnership is bolstered by multiple events as well as the implemented and ongoing projects (exhibitions, cooperation between high music schools, teaching the Georgian language, public reading of the works of Georgian authors, presentation of translated works, etc.). Special note should be taken of the Niko Pirosmani exhibition „Wanderer zwischen den Welten" (“Wanderer between the worlds“) held at the Albertina Museum, Vienna, from 25 October 2018 to 27 January 2019. The exhibition displayed the painter’s 29 works from the collection of the Georgian National Museum. The Austrian Library has been functioning in Georgia since 2000. Furthermore, the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna annually grants scholarships to Georgian public officials. Tbilisi and Innsbruck have been twinned since 1982.
Yet another example of historical friendship between the nations of the two countries is provided by Bertha von Suttner, the Austrian writer and pacifist, and the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, whose life was closely connected to Georgia where she, together with her husband, spent many years of her life. In 2019, the youth group in cooperation with the Zugdidi City Council and the Austrian Embassy to Georgia launched Bertha von Suttner Prize. Bertha von Suttner was commemorated on the postage stamp, which was put into circulation on 21 April 2020, as a tribute to fruitful cooperation between the two countries.
Useful Links
Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria
President of the Republic of Austria
Parliament of the Republic of Austria
