Prime Minister Receives Courtesy Call from the New Ambassador of Austria to Fiji

Prime Minister, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, received a courtesy call from the new non-resident Ambassador of Austria to Fiji, His Excellency Wolfgang Lukas Strohmayer, at the Office of the Prime Minister this morning (12/04/22).

Prime Minister Bainimarama congratulated Ambassador Strohmayer on his new role and reaffirmed the Fijian Government’s commitment to deepening the scope of bilateral relations with Austria in mutual priorities.

Prime Minister Bainimarama acknowledged Austria’s contribution to the COVAX facility, which has assisted developing countries like Fiji to rollout COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, and ultimately, reopen their international borders and progressively return to normalcy.

Fiji’s partnership with development partners and its importance for sustainable and resilient recovery was recognised.

Austria was also commended for its collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific, in supporting Fiji’s national response to the pandemic last year through the provision of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The ongoing cooperation between Fiji and Austria in areas such as climate change, trade, agriculture, and disaster resilience and recovery were highlighted in addition to the strengthening of partnerships for global peace, security, and socio-economic development.

The Prime Minister conveyed the Fijian Government’s best wishes to Ambassador Strohmayer as he assumes his new role, with assurances that with the cooperation of Fijian and Austrian Missions in Canberra, relations would be elevated.

In response, Ambassador Strohmayer expressed his appreciation to the Fijian Government for the kind hospitality and assistance provided during his official visit to Fiji.

“Austria and Fiji have traditionally very close friendship and excellent cooperation, especially in the multilateral field, I would consider this cooperation as exemplary.”

“Austria, as a member of the European Union, is an honest broker for the many tasks and programmes, as well as the concerns throughout South Pacific. Austria regards the Indo-Pacific strategy of the European Union as an important contribution to address the common challenges, like climate change.”

Ambassador Strohmayer said Austria looks forward to fostering strengthened cooperation with Fiji and the region at all levels.

“Given the worldwide uncertainties in a post-COVID world, more than ever the international cooperation of the like-minded countries is in the focus of joint interest.”

“Austria has a lot of expertise in the field of green technology and renewable energy, so I think given the common challenges arising from the climate change, we are prepared to share all these expertise and technology with the Fijian Government to find ways to get innovative green technology and renewable energy projects to assist Fiji,” Ambassador Strohmayer said.