The Embassy

Dear Fellow Countrymen, dear Friends of Austria,

Welcome to the website of the Austrian Embassy! Here you will find information about politics, culture, economics and consular events; for news about foreign policy, cultural events abroad, joint international projects and current events, you may consult the website of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs.

In a country that is more than a hundred times as big as Austria, it is a formidable task indeed to promote the interests of our homeland and at the same time to see to the needs of Austrians now living in Canada. We like to see ourselves as a kind of central service centre receiving support from the branch offices in charge of foreign trade in Montreal and Toronto, and from the honorary consulates also. We are constantly seeking ways to strengthen the Austrian presence in Canada, in order to be a an even better partner for Canada in various joint ventures, and to extend a helping hand to our fellow Austrians who are now living in this beautiful country.

Bilateral relations between Austria and Canada date back to the year 1855/56. Since then many forms of cooperation have taken place, particulary within the United Nations, in the areas of Peacekeeping, Human Rights and Rule of Law as well as within the Human Security Network, of which both countries are members. New fields and possiblities for cooperation will arise from the election of Austria as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the period 2009/2010. Canada has kindly supported the Austrian candidacy and offered its cooperation in this regard.
Austria itself will support a possible Canadian candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council for the period 2011/2012.

Canada is Austria's fourth-largest trading partner overseas. Approximately 80 Austrian companies have representations in Canada, similary there are important Canadian investments in Austria. One of the modern tasks of an Embassy is to create favourable conditions for trade relations, a task carried out in cooperation with the trade commissions. Other fields of cooperation are in the areas of renewable energy and environment technology.

Given the importance of Canada and our bilateral relations, a Cultural Forum has been established at the Austrian Embassy in Ottawa. Music, culture and way of life are areas in which we have much in common with our Canadian friends. The expansion of cultural, artistic, scientific and also interpersonal relations is a task to which I as Ambassador will pay much attention. This includes sports, a topic which will be of great importance in view of the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and Whistler.

Austrians have made a very real contribution to making Canada the country it is today, namely one of the best countries in the world in which to live. We want to build on this success and discover new ways for our two countries to work together.

Your suggestions, comments and questions are always most welcome. Please send us an e-mail (see quicklinks).

Mag. Werner Brandstetter
Austrian Ambassador to Canada