Bilateral Meeting of Austrian Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger with Secretary Rubio in Washington
Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Photo: BMEIA/Alina Steiner
In preparation for Austria’s forthcoming membership of the United Nations Security Council in 2027/2028, Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger is intensifying foreign policy dialogue with key international partners. Six weeks after her working visit to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, she met with U.S. Foreign Minister and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio in Washington DC to discuss joint responses to global security challenges, transatlantic cooperation and current geopolitical developments.
“We had an excellent and very open discussion. Austria and the United States share a close partnership, particularly in the areas of security and the economy, which we want to further strengthen. This very closeness also allows us to openly address areas where we have differing views, for example on tariffs. Unpredictable and protectionist trade policies harm our companies and weaken the U.S. economy,” Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger said following the meeting.
The United States values Austria’s active diplomacy. On the U.S. side, particular emphasis was placed on Austria’s important role as a place for dialogue and mediation, as well as on Austria’s expertise regarding the Western Balkans. As an active advocate for the Western Balkans’ integration into the EU, Austria regards close cooperation between the EU and the U.S. as a key contribution to the region’s stability. Both countries are also important troop-contributing nations to the NATO-led KFOR mission in Kosovo.
The war in the Middle East and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine were discussed at length. Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger welcomed U.S. initiatives aimed at ending Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, while stressing that a stable European security order can only be achieved through close transatlantic coordination. The war involving Iran has shown in recent weeks how quickly a fragile ceasefire can once again turn into open conflict.
Meinl-Reisinger stressed that, in such circumstances, there is a need for places and actors that can keep channels of communication open when positions have become entrenched. Austria stands ready to serve as a venue for technical talks and negotiations aimed at resolving international conflicts.
“Especially in the run-up to our membership of the UN Security Council, we want to work closely with the United States to contribute jointly to global security and stability. This includes the current conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. In both conflicts, only diplomacy can provide a way out of the spiral of escalation. Europe and the United States must work together to achieve this. Vienna stands ready whenever there is a need to come to the negotiating table,” Meinl-Reisinger said.
Contact:
Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs
Press Department
Tel: +43 (0) 50 11 50 - 3320
Fax: +43 (0) 50 11 50 - 213
Email: abti3@bmeia.gv.at