Joint statement on the occasion of the visit of the Chancellor of the Republic of Austria to the United Arab Emirates

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, met with the Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Christian Stocker, during a working visit to the United Arab Emirates. The two sides held discussions and exchanged views on international developments and developments, regional security, and ways to enhance political, economic, humanitarian and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides stressed that relations between the UAE and the Republic of Austria have witnessed remarkable development in recent years, which are based on the foundations of trust, mutual respect, common interests, and a firm commitment to ensuring sustainable development and prosperity for the peoples of the two friendly countries.

This common goal stems from the firm belief of the two countries, as reliable and strategic partners, and an emphasis on the importance of strengthening the foundations of security, stability and prosperity in the two regions.

The two sides agreed to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed in 2021, in order to keep pace with developments and emerging fields, including artificial intelligence.
The two countries also renewed their commitment to creating a digital bridge, expanding exchange in the field of artificial intelligence and other vital and emerging technologies, and strengthening related industries in both countries, within the framework of the principle of equality, mutual respect and common benefit, and the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence concluded between the two countries in 2024.

Cooperation includes enhancing coordination in policies related to artificial intelligence, supporting possible areas of cooperation, such as developing data centers and research partnerships, enabling talent exchange and capacity building through education and training programs, and enhancing partnerships and investments between the private sector in artificial intelligence and other vital and advanced technologies.

The two sides discussed ways to enhance mutual investments and deepen economic cooperation, based on the two countries’ position as regional centers and strategic hubs to promising markets with strong growth potential. They pointed out the importance of creating appropriate conditions to enhance the attractiveness of the business environment in the two countries, with the aim of preserving and accelerating investments in a way that supports sustainable development and common prosperity. They also renewed their commitment to strengthening trade ties and exchanges between small, medium and large companies in the two countries through regular high-level meetings with representatives of the business community from both sides.

The two sides welcomed continued cooperation, including through the upcoming Joint Economic Committee, which will be held on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Economic, Industrial and Technical Cooperation Agreement.

The two sides also discussed the possibility of establishing the UAE-Austria Business Council to be a supportive platform for strengthening bilateral economic relations. They expressed their support for the progress made in the negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and the European Union, noting that the agreement will allow deepening economic and trade cooperation between the two sides.

The two sides noted the close cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector, emphasized the opportunities offered by developments in the field of renewable energy, and expressed their intention to continue strengthening cooperation within the framework of the Strategic Energy Security Partnership and Industrial Cooperation, and related initiatives, such as the Hydrogen Coalition, which was established in March 2022.

They also highlighted the role of private sector partnerships, including those involving ADNOC, Mubadala, OMV and Borealis, to enhance cooperation across value chains related to the energy sector, including financing, research and development of new technologies, as well as export and trade.

They also stressed the importance of enhancing industrial cooperation as a fundamental pillar of bilateral relations, and highlighted the potential of the Borouge International Group as a strategic platform to support long-term growth based on mutual benefit, including by expanding cooperation in the fields of petrochemicals, advanced materials, and integrated industrial value chains.

The two sides also exchanged views on enhancing cultural cooperation, highlighting cooperation in the field of classical music and museums, and affirmed their intention to explore new horizons to enhance bilateral relations through cultural partnerships. They stressed the importance of enhancing exchange between peoples, consolidating mutual understanding, and supporting initiatives that are linked to the growing cultural agenda of the UAE and the ancient legacy of Austria in the fields of music, opera and the arts. In this context, they expressed their aspiration for the Abu Dhabi Festival to participate as an artistic partner in the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra’s summer concert at Schönbrunn Palace on June 19, 2026.

They stressed the importance of water as a vital resource that supports sustainable development, the ability to confront climate change, and promote economic growth, and renewed their joint commitment to confronting global challenges related to water.

The two sides stressed the need to strengthen international cooperation, pointing to the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, hosted by the UAE and Senegal, as a pivotal opportunity to advance global efforts related to water. They also stressed the importance of investing in water technologies and innovations to expand the scope of solutions to water scarcity, such as the “Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative” and the launch of the “Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform.” The two sides exchanged views on the most prominent regional and international developments.

We condemned in the strongest terms the brutal and unjustified Iranian attacks on the UAE, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Jordan and other countries in the region, which are a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of these countries, and a flagrant violation of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.

We also condemned the systematic Iranian attacks that deliberately and indiscriminately targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure, including residential and commercial areas, airports, ports, energy infrastructure, and service facilities, which resulted in loss of life, civilian injuries, and material damage, and negatively affected millions of civilians across the region. They also affirmed the well-established right to self-defense in response to the unlawful armed attacks launched by Iran, in accordance with international law, as stipulated in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

Based on Security Council Resolution No. 2817 of 2026, the two sides condemned Iranian actions and threats aimed at closing, obstructing, or interfering in international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and threatening maritime security in Bab al-Mandeb, stressing that any attempts to obstruct legitimate transit traffic or freedom of navigation in these international waterways represent a serious threat to international peace and security.

The two sides stressed the joint responsibility of the international community to protect vital maritime straits, and rejected Iran’s attempts to use these corridors as tools for pressure or to threaten the global economy and energy security through unilateral and illegal measures. They also reaffirmed the need to respect navigational rights and freedoms, including the right of transit passage, in accordance with international law, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and also in line with the International Maritime Organization Council’s decision issued on March 19, 2026. They stressed the need for the Strait of Hormuz to remain open to international navigation without fees or other obstacles.

The two sides reaffirmed the joint statement of the European Union and Gulf Cooperation Council summit issued in October 2024, and the joint ministerial statement between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council issued in October 2025, calling on Iran to end its occupation of the three UAE islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, which constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of the UAE and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

The two sides expressed deep concern about the lack of progress on resolving the dispute between the UAE and Iran over the three islands: Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa. They also renewed their support for reaching a peaceful settlement of this dispute through bilateral negotiations or referring the case to the International Court of Justice in accordance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

They reaffirmed their joint commitment to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, in order to achieve the establishment of an independent, sovereign and viable Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace and security, on the basis of the borders of June 4, 1967, and in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.

The two sides praised the leadership of US President Donald Trump, and stressed the importance of advancing the implementation of Security Council Resolution No. 2803 of 2025, as it is a pivotal tool for implementing the comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza, and charting a path towards self-determination for the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

They also renewed their commitment to supporting a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, including respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. They welcomed the recent UAE mediation to exchange prisoners between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, which brings the total number of prisoners exchanged to 6,691 since the beginning of the war. They also discussed ways of cooperation in supporting Ukraine’s recovery.

The two sides condemned the attacks against civilians, humanitarian workers and humanitarian convoys in Sudan by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, noting that the main responsibility for ending the civil war lies with the two warring parties.

They stressed the need to ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law. The two sides also called for rapid, safe, unimpeded and sustainable access of humanitarian aid throughout Sudan.

They renewed their call for an immediate and unconditional humanitarian truce, a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire, and a peaceful settlement of the war that reflects the aspirations of the Sudanese people to form a civilian-led government that is inclusive and representative of all components of the Sudanese people, and completely independent of the warring parties and extremist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood.