Bilateral relations

Austria and Ireland know traditionally a very friendly and supportive relationship: In common they have a pro-European attitude, the commitment to neutrality, the UN-engagement,  specially  peace-keeping operations, the refusal of nuclear power, the fight for global human rights and they share as well  the interests of small and medium countries within the EU.

When possible a coordination of common interests is looked after. Ireland and Austria have e.g. worked sucessfully together in order to reach a final agreement on the „Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions“ in May 2008. Another common aim: Austria and Ireland participate together in peace-keeping missions , such as in Kosovo or the last one in Chad and are both represeted in the Human Security Network.

Austria engages Irish interests as tourism destination and has gained a lot of sympathy with regard to historic relations (Irish Mission, Irish soldiers  - the so-called "Wild Geese" in the service of the former Empire) and Austrian (mostly classic) culture. Vice versa Austrians increasingly come tothe "green island" in order to meet the fantastic landscape, nature and the Irish people.