Vienna, 8 June 2022 (TDI): Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy of Saudi Arabia, Fahad Abualnasr met with the Director-General for International Cultural Relations of Austria, Dr. Teresa Indjein in Vienna.
The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Georg Pöstinger.
During the meeting, they discussed cultural issues of common interest and ways of developing them to serve the interests of the two countries.
The main objective of the meeting is an intense cultural exchange between Austria and Saudi Arabia that would be an important aspect of the bilateral relations between the two countries in the future.
The objective of these cultural activities between the two countries Austria and Saudi Arabia as a modern and contemporary cultural nations, as well as actively promote the dialogue between cultures and intercultural awareness through artistic means.
These efforts focus on giving appropriate support to the latest cultural opening of both the countries and laying the foundation for a sustained mutual cultural exchange in the future.
Saudi-Austrian Relations
Saudi Arabia traditionally is Austria’s main export destination and trading partner in the Middle East. Moreover, Austrian companies active in Saudi Arabia have gained a reputation for specializing in certain fields in the Saudi market.
Also, in light of the recent political and economic developments within the comprehensive reform agenda “Saudi Vision 2030”, the Saudi market offers many new opportunities to Austrian companies.
On the other hand, intense cultural exchange between Austria and Saudi Arabia is another important aspect of bilateral relations e.g.
- The Embassy of Austria participated in March 2019 in the Festival of the French-speaking countries with the suspense-laden movie “Mount St. Elias” which documents the longest ski descent ever undertaken from the peak of the mountain of the same name.
- On the occasion of the Austrian National Day, the Austrian Embassy presented on its premises the exhibition “40 years United Nations in Vienna”.
- The Embassy of Austria helped establish a European EUNIC culture cluster and contributed to a mapping exercise that identified current Saudi artists and cultural institutions in the pandemic.
