Pursuant to the KAICIID's opening in Vienna, Austrian Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger deepens relations with Saudi Arabia

On February 11, Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger came in Jeddah for a three-day official visit in Saudi Arabia. He was assisted by Austria's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Gregor W. Koessler, and accompanied by two dozens of businessmen mostly from the energy sector. Austria has enjoyed good relations with the Saudi Kingdom since the opening of its diplomatic representation in 1966.

The Vice-Chancellor held talks with Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal. The visit of Mr Spindelegger took place at the invitation of Prince Saud two months and a half after the opening ceremony of the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) in Vienna on November 26, 2012.

"I am looking forward to a constructive exchange of views on urgent issues such as the conflict in Syria, on-going negotiations with Iran and the stabilization of Yemen," said the Austrian official before his departure. During his meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince, Mr Spindelegger reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries, ways of enhancing them, and the situations at regional and international arenas.

With Prince Al-Faisal, he notably discussed the situation in Syria, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Iranian nuclear program. The two officials agreed that there must be an immediate halt to the "bloodshed of the Syrian people" and called for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to "take a firm stand". Also, the Saudi Foreign Minister welcomed Austria's support to Palestine's observer status in the UN. Both regretted the UNSC's failure to act and the "Israeli intransigence". They also affirmed that only unquestionable evidence could "alleviate the air of suspicion hanging over the Iranian nuclear program." Were also discussed visa requirements and means of strengthening trade relations.

Finally, Mr Spindelegger met with Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) officials, including Secretary-General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. The Vice-Chancellor expressed interest in establishing regular dialogue with the OIC and proposed to the OIC to open an office in Vienna. The discussion focused on Austria's support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Human rights have also been a subject of the talks held by Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger in Saudi Arabia, said State Secretary Reinhold Lopatka during the latest report of the Human Rights Council in Parliament. "The rights of women, religious freedom, freedom of speech and the abolition of the death penalty are important concerns to be voiced in our dialogue with Saudi representatives. I will also be discussing these questions with the Chairman of the Saudi Human Rights Commission", Lopatka emphasized.

The creation and the location of the KAICIID in Vienna shows Austria is willing to play a significant diplomatic role as a bridge between the Muslim world and Europe, somehow like the one it has played all along the Cold War as a neutral meeting and exchange place between the West and the Soviet Union. It will "complement and reinforce Austria's long standing tradition in interreligious and intercultural dialogue," Mr Spindelegger said while on a trip to Cairo, Egypt on November 13, 2012. The KAICIID, founded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Spain and Austria "upon the initiative of His Majesty, King Abdullah, aims to become a platform for new initiatives, a meeting place for religious leaders and a hub for the exchange between cultures," his statement further said.

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