Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis visits Vienna: signing of memorandum of understanding on new strategic partnership between Switzerland and Austria

Press releases, 10.06.2021

Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will travel to Austria on 11 June. In Vienna, together with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg, he will sign a memorandum of understanding on the strategic partnership between the two countries. The following day, Mr Cassis will take part in the Europa-Forum Wachau and meet with Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

Bilateral relations between Switzerland and Austria are close and wide-ranging. The strength and significance of these ties were demonstrated once more in their joint efforts to deal with the pandemic. It is therefore in the interest of both countries to further consolidate this relationship. To this end, Mr Cassis and his counterpart Mr Schallenberg will sign a memorandum of understanding on the strategic partnership between Switzerland and Austria. The Federal Council already approved this memorandum on 24 February 2021.

It is a non-binding instrument designed to expand cooperation in selected areas such as reinforcement when representing interests and mutual assistance in third countries. Citizens of both countries will benefit from this further development of consular cooperation.

Europa-Forum Wachau
On 12 June, Cassis will attend the Europa-Forum Wachau, presenting Switzerland's viewpoints as set out in the Federal Council's decision of 26 May 2021. Chancellor Kurz, Lithuania's Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė and EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn will also speak on the occasion of the Forum's 25th anniversary, which is themed Heading for New Horizons. Following the Forum, Cassis will meet with Kurz.


Further information:

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Austria


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Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs