Central Europe

Central Europe comprises Austria and her neighbouring countries Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary, as well as the “cultural neighbour” Poland. The term Central Europe is not only a reference to the geographic proximity of these countries, but is even more defined by the deep rooted historic and cultural links that bind the region together.

With the end of the division of the European continent and the increasing European integration of the former communist countries of Eastern and Central Europe these close historic links gained in relevance again during the last two decades.

During the 1990s the bilateral ties between Austria and the other Central European countries strongly increased and intensified. Since the enlargement of 2004 all countries of the region are members of the European Union and partners of Austria on the European level. In addition, in 2001 the Regional Partnership was created as a forum to address common matters, but also differences, in a constructive way, which further intensified cooperation amongst its six member states.

Economic relations in Central Europe have seen a steady increase during the last decade. As of 2000, Austrian exports to the region increased by almost 50% and ran up to more than 12 billion Euros in 2009. The trade volume amounted to a total of 25 billion Euros in 2009. Austria is number one investor in Slovenia and ranks number three in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. In 2007 Austria’s direct investments in the region were close to 25 billion Euros. Only during the crisis years of 2008 and 2009 regional economic activity decreased slightly.

Cultural and scientific exchange is a major pillar of cooperation in Central Europe. In her neighbouring countries Austria maintains a network of 20 Austria Libraries. In 2001 the “Platform Culture-Central Europe” was founded within the framework of the Regional Partnership to serve as a basis for bilateral and multilateral cultural dialogue. Scientific cooperation is promoted through the Central European Exchange Program for University Studies (CEEPUS), to which all Central European States are party and which, in the university year 2009/10, provided 6300 students the opportunity to study at universities all across Central Europe.