PM Shehbaz Arrives in Vienna for Two-Day Official Visit to Austria
By Muhammad Awais :
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Vienna on Sunday to begin a two-day official visit to Austria, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in key sectors.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier and his delegation were warmly received at Vienna International Airport, where a contingent of the Austrian Armed Forces presented a ceremonial salute.
Sharing a message on X, the prime minister described Vienna as a “city of history, culture and global diplomacy,” and said he looked forward to meeting Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker.
“I look forward to my meeting with Chancellor Stocker to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Austria, with a focus on trade, investment and economic cooperation,” Shehbaz said.
The prime minister also announced that he would meet senior officials of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and the UN Industrial Development Organization during his stay.
“These engagements will focus on deepening our cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy, counter-narcotics and crime control, and sustainable industrial development,” he added.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said that the prime minister would visit Austria from February 15 to 16 at the invitation of Chancellor Stocker.
The high-level delegation accompanying the premier includes Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch.
According to the Foreign Office, the prime minister will hold detailed bilateral talks with his Austrian counterpart to review the entire spectrum of Pakistan–Austria relations.
He will also chair a session of the Pakistan–Austria Business Forum organised by the Austrian Economic Chamber, and visit key multilateral organisations based in Vienna.
The Foreign Office noted that Pakistan and Austria share cordial relations rooted in dialogue, cooperation, multilateralism and respect for international law.
This marks the first visit by a Pakistani prime minister to Austria in more than three decades, following the last official trip by former premier Nawaz Sharif in 1992.
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