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Austria–Iraq relations

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Austria–Iraq relations

Austria
Iraq

Austria–Iraq relations are the bilateral relations between Austria and Iraq. Austria closed its embassy in Baghdad in 1991 during the Gulf War and did not maintain a diplomatic presence in Iraq for over three decades.[1] The embassy was officially reopened on 12 September 2023 by Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.[2] Iraq maintains an embassy in Vienna.[3]

History

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Early relations

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Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky visited Iraq on 16 March 1976, reflecting Austria's active engagement with the Middle East during the Cold War.[4] Since the 1970s, Austria has also been a partner of the Kurdish population in Iraq, with bilateral relations continuously enhanced through visits and humanitarian cooperation.[5]

1990 Waldheim visit

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On 25 August 1990, Austrian President Kurt Waldheim visited Baghdad, becoming the first Western head of state to travel to Iraq following its invasion of Kuwait on 2 August.[6] Waldheim described the trip as a "humanitarian mission" and stated that he asked Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to release Western hostages held in Iraq.[7] The European Community criticized the visit as a breach of solidarity among Western nations.[8]

1991 embassy closure

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In 1991, during the Gulf War, Austria closed its embassy in Baghdad for security reasons.[1] From that point, the Austrian embassy in Amman, Jordan, handled affairs related to Iraq.[1] Austria maintained only a trade mission in Baghdad during the period of closure.[9]

2023 embassy reopening

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In August 2022, the Austrian government decided to reopen its embassy in Baghdad.[10] On 12 September 2023, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg officially reopened the embassy during a two-day visit to Iraq.[2] Schallenberg held meetings with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein.[11] He was accompanied by representatives of ten Austrian companies active in healthcare, telecommunications, and transportation.[2] Schallenberg also traveled to Erbil, where he opened a bilateral economic forum and met with the leadership of the Kurdistan Region.[2]

At a joint press conference, Schallenberg stated: "Iraq plays an important role in the region's stability. When this country faces instability, it has repercussions for Austria as well."[12]

2024–2025 diplomatic developments

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On 21 January 2024, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein visited Vienna, where he and Schallenberg signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations between the two countries.[13] The two ministers also discussed cooperation in combating illegal migration and internal security.[14]

In October 2025, Iraq and Austria held a round of political consultations in Vienna. Iraqi Ambassador Mohammed Hussein Mohammed Bahr al-Uloom outlined Iraq's recent political progress, and the two sides discussed bilateral, regional, and international issues of common interest.[15]

Anti-ISIS coalition and security cooperation

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Austria has been a member of the Global Coalition against Daesh since its inception in 2014.[16] Austria's contribution has focused on humanitarian assistance, stabilization of areas liberated from ISIS, and actions against foreign terrorist fighters.[17] Austria is also a partner contributor to NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), the alliance's non-combat advisory mission in Iraq.[18]

Since the beginning of 2024, a police attaché has been stationed at the Austrian Embassy in Baghdad. A declaration of intent on police cooperation was signed in September 2023 by the police chiefs of both countries in the presence of Foreign Minister Schallenberg.[19]

Humanitarian aid and stabilization

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Since 2012, Austria has provided over €20 million in humanitarian assistance to Iraq.[20] In 2023 alone, Austria contributed €1.5 million in humanitarian aid.[21]

During the ISIS crisis, Austria provided €1 million in emergency humanitarian aid for up to 100,000 people in northern Iraq.[22] The Austrian government also delivered eight tons of medical supplies to the Kurdistan Region, enough to provide medical care for 100,000 internally displaced persons for approximately three months.[23]

Austria has made multiple contributions to the UNDP Funding Facility for Stabilization in Iraq, supporting the rehabilitation of schools and infrastructure in areas liberated from ISIS.[24]

Trade and economic relations

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In 2024, Austrian exports to Iraq were valued at approximately US$133 million, while Iraqi exports to Austria totaled US$145 million.[25] The top Austrian exports to Iraq were cheese (US$19.6 million), iron pipes (US$14 million), and orthopedic appliances (US$11.7 million).[26] According to the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Austrian exports to Iraq amounted to €94.5 million in 2022, an increase of 25% over the previous year.[27]

Erste Group loan

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In September 2024, Iraq's Ministry of Finance signed a €262 million (US$291 million) loan agreement with Austria's Erste Group Bank.[28] The agreement was signed by Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami Mohammed and the Austrian Ambassador to Baghdad.[29] The funds are directed toward an irrigation systems project aimed at enhancing Iraq's agricultural infrastructure and alleviating the impact of water scarcity.[30] The Austrian company Bauer is providing technical and advisory support for the project.[31]

TÜV Austria

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Iraq's Ministry of Planning signed a contract with the Austrian company TÜV Austria, granting it a license to conduct inspections and issue certificates of conformity for goods exported to Iraq.[32]

Migration cooperation

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Austria and Iraq cooperate on combating illegal migration, with Austria focusing on return and reintegration assistance as well as awareness-raising measures about the risks of irregular migration.[33] Austria has signed cooperation agreements with Iraq on irregular migration, return, and readmission.[34] An EU-funded project in Iraq actively warns potential migrants of the dangers of illegal entry and human smuggling.[35]

Iraqi diaspora in Austria

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There are an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 people of Iraqi origin living in Austria, concentrated primarily in Vienna.[36] Iraq has been among the most common countries of origin for asylum seekers in Austria, particularly during the 2015 European migrant crisis.[37]

Resident diplomatic missions

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  • Iraq has an embassy in Vienna, located at Johannesgasse 26, 1010 Vienna.[38]
  • Austria has an embassy in Baghdad, reopened in September 2023.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 "Austria reopens embassy in Baghdad after 30 years". RFI. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in Iraq: "Opening a New Chapter in Relations"". Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Vienna". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "List of diplomatic visits to Iraq". Wikipedia. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Bilateral Relations". Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in Austria. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "Waldheim: Iraq visit 'worth the risk'". UPI. 24 August 1990. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "Waldheim, Despite Hostage Trip, Gets No Respect on Return". Los Angeles Times. 19 September 1990. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "Waldheim Trip to Iraq Faulted by E.C. As Breach in Solidarity". JTA. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Austria reopens its embassy in Iraq". Kurdistan24. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "Austria reopens its embassy in Iraq". Kurdistan24. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "Austria Reopens Baghdad Embassy After Over 30 Years, Cites Importance of Iraq's Stability". The Media Line. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "Austria Reopens Baghdad Embassy After Over 30 Years, Cites Importance of Iraq's Stability". The Media Line. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "Iraq and Austria Signs Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "Successes of Austrian-Iraqi Cooperation Against Illegal Migration". Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "Iraq and Austria Hold Political Consultations in Vienna". Iraq Business News. 27 October 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Austria". The Global Coalition. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "Austria". The Global Coalition. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "NATO Mission Iraq". NATO. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "Successes of Austrian-Iraqi Cooperation Against Illegal Migration". Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  20. ↑ "Austria". The Global Coalition. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  21. ↑ "Austria". The Global Coalition. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  22. ↑ "Austria provides humanitarian aid for up to 100,000 people in Northern Iraq". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  23. ↑ "Austria Delivers Humanitarian Aid to Kurdistan Region". Rudaw. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  24. ↑ "Contribution to UNDP FFES (Funding Facility for Expanded Stabilization) Iraq – 5th Austrian contribution". Austrian Development Agency. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  25. ↑ "Austria (AUT) and Iraq (IRQ) Trade". The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  26. ↑ "Austria (AUT) and Iraq (IRQ) Trade". The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  27. ↑ "Foreign relations of Iraq". Wikipedia. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  28. ↑ "Iraq Signs €262 Million Deal with Erste Group". Iraq International News Agency. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  29. ↑ "Iraq Signs €262 Million Deal with Erste Group". Iraq International News Agency. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "Iraq Signs €262 Million Deal with Erste Group". Iraq International News Agency. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  31. ↑ "Iraq Signs €262 Million Deal with Erste Group". Iraq International News Agency. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  32. ↑ "TUV Austria to inspect and certify imports for Iraq". Shafaq News. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  33. ↑ "Successes of Austrian-Iraqi Cooperation Against Illegal Migration". Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "Austria". Prague Process. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  35. ↑ "Successes of Austrian-Iraqi Cooperation Against Illegal Migration". Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  36. ↑ "Iraqi diaspora in Europe". Wikipedia. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  37. ↑ "Austria – Asylum and Migration Overview 2024" (PDF). European Migration Network Austria. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
  38. ↑ "Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Vienna". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iraq. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
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