Written question asked by Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 16 July 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 July 2025. It was answered by Stephen Doughty (Labour) on Thursday, 24 July 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Austria: Foreign Relations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help improve the UK’s relationship with Austria.

Answer: The UK maintains strong and enduring ties with Austria. A Joint Vision Statement was signed in 2023 to deepen cooperation across foreign and security policy, on economic issues and in encouraging people-to-people links. Consultations between the UK and Austria on the Vision Statement are held annually, with the last such meeting held in June 2025. Cooperation on migration and security has also been formalised over the last two years, including following up on the Joint Statement on tackling illegal migration in May 2024. The Prime Minister wrote to his opposite Chancellor Stocker on his appointment in March 2025, the Foreign Secretary spoke to Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger in March and I engaged Europe Minister Plakolm in May.

Secondary information