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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Austria's ambassador to Iraq hailed his country's relations with Baghdad as 'excellent,' saying Vienna is committed to strengthening ties between Baghdad and Erbil while praising Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani's profile and connections with Iraqi officials.
'We are committed to fostering robust relations 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 [Mohammed Shia' al-] Sudani, within the Iraqi political landscape and throughout the region as a whole,' Andrea Nasi told Rudaw.
Describing Vienna's relations with Baghdad as 'excellent,' Nasi said that 'Iraq considers Austria an important partner in the EU and Austria considers Iraq as an important partner in the region.'
'We have strengthened our partnership through agreements on security, political dialogue, air transport, and cooperation between our Chambers of Commerce,' he explained.
Austria closed its embassy in Baghdad in 1991 over security concerns. The country had a representation in the Iraqi capital since 2022, and reopened its embassy in September. It does not have a consulate in Erbil but has had a commercial office in the Kurdish capital since 2006.
Nasi said that 42 Austrian companies work in Iraq, reporting a 20 percent increase in exports to the country in 2024 for a total volume of €123.5 million, primarily in the dairy, optical equipment, mechanical equipment, and steel and iron sectors.
'Austria's current engagement in Iraq, including in the Kurdistan Region, is primarily characterized by targeted loans and contractual agreements, rather than large-scale equity investments,' he added.
Regarding the Kurdistan Region, the ambassador said that Vienna aims to explore opportunities with Erbil in the security, migration, economic development, and energy initiatives sectors, with nine Austrian companies operating in the Region.
'Austria has a lot to offer when it comes to environmentally friendly technology, sustainable industrial products, telecommunications infrastructure, friendly technology, sustainable industrial products, telecommunications infrastructure, as well as crisis management and fire fighting vehicles and equipment,' Nasi said.
In July of last year, President Barzani visited Austria and met with top officials, including Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and then-Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, to highlight opportunities and avenues to strengthen Vienna's ties with Erbil and Baghdad.
During his visit, Barzani said that Erbil has a 'very long-lasting relationship' with Vienna, and requested the opening of Austria's consulate in Erbil.
Niyaz Mustafa contributed to this report.
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