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Austria–United Kingdom relations

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Foreign relations exist between Austria and the United Kingdom, and have been positive and friendly since Austrian independence in 1955. Both nations are members of the Council of Europe. The two nations share close economic and technological ties, and cooperate in a variety of fields, particularly when the UK was a member of the European Union and also more recently in condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.[1] They have also agreed to cooperate on mutual interests over matters involving security in the Balkans, including regarding Kosovo, Albania and Serbia and furthermore to work together on countering subversive Russian activity in the region.[2]

Austrian–British relations
Map indicating locations of Austria and United Kingdom

Austria
United Kingdom
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Austria, LondonEmbassy of the United Kingdom, Vienna

History

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Relations between the Duchy of Austria and the Kingdom of England were established in the Middle Ages through interactions of their respective rulers. A notable example is Duke Leopold V's imprisonment of King Richard I in 1193. From 1731 to 1756, Great Britain was closely aligned with the Austrian Habsburg monarchy in the Anglo-Austrian Alliance. Both countries were more loosely aligned as part of a broad anti-French coalition during the Napoleonic Wars. Formal relations began only in 1799.[citation needed] The Austrian Empire established a diplomatic mission in London in 1816.[3][4]

The two nations were enemies during the First World War and the Second World War. During WWII, British prisoners of war were among Allied POWs held in the Stalag XVII-A, Stalag XVII-B, Stalag XVIII-A, Stalag XVIII-B, Stalag 317/XVIII-C, Stalag 398 and Oflag XVIII-A German POW camps and forced labour subcamps operated in German-annexed Austria.[5]

The President of Austria, Franz Jonas, paid a state visit to the United Kingdom in May 1966.[6] In May 1969, HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom paid a state visit to Austria.[7]

According to the 2001 UK Census, some 20,000 Austrian born people were living in the UK, which is actually a drop of around 5% from 1991, despite this there are also large but unknown numbers of British born people of Austrian descent.[8]

Economic relations

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Following Brexit, Trade between the United Kingdom and Austria is governed by the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement since 1 January 2021.[9][10]

Diplomacy

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The Austrian ambassador to the United Kingdom is Bernhard Wrabetz in succession to Michael Zimmermann, he took up his post in August 2018.[11] The British ambassador to Austria is Lindsay Skoll who took up her post in September 2021.[12]

Resident diplomatic missions

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  •  
    Embassy of Austria in London - The only embassy building of Imperial Austria still used today as an Austrian embassy.[13]
  •  
    Embassy of the United Kingdom in Vienna

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Austria and the UK - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  2. ^ "Austria: Readout of the Foreign Secretary's meeting with Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  3. ^ Agstner, Rudolf (1997). "Von Chandos House zum Belgrave Square. Österreichs Botschaft in London 1815–1997". Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs. 45: 1–58.
  4. ^ Österreich, Außenministerium der Republik. "History of the Austrian Embassy". www.bmeia.gv.at. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  5. ^ Megargee, Geoffrey P.; Overmans, Rüdiger; Vogt, Wolfgang (2022). The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos 1933–1945. Volume IV. Indiana University Press, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. pp. 275–276, 307, 386, 484–487, 490, 492. ISBN 978-0-253-06089-1.
  6. ^ "Ceremonies: State visits". Official web site of the British Monarchy. Archived from the original on 2008-11-06. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
  7. ^ "OUTWARD STATE VISITS MADE BY THE QUEEN SINCE 1952". Official web site of the British Monarchy. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
  8. ^ "BBC Born Abroad, Austria". BBC News. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  9. ^ "UK and EU agree Brexit trade deal". GOV.UK. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Brexit: Landmark UK-EU trade deal to be signed". BBC News. 29 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  11. ^ "The Ambassador – Österreichische Botschaft London". Austrian Embassy UK. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  12. ^ "Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna: Lindsay Skoll". Foreign & Commonwealth Office. 2021-01-20.
  13. ^ Österreich, Außenministerium der Republik. "History of the Austrian Embassy". www.bmeia.gv.at. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
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