Austria–Syria relations are the bilateral relations between the Republic of Austria and Syria. In April 2009, President Bashar al-Assad visited Vienna at the invitation of President Heinz Fischer.[1] In 2012, due to the security situation, the staff of the Austrian Embassy in Damascus was transferred to Beirut, and the activities of the embassy, including consular, have been conducted from there since then. Austria resisted efforts led by the United Kingdom to lift or ease the EU arms embargo on Syria, "contending that increased weaponry will only intensify the conflict and potentially eliminate any opportunities for peace negotiations".[2] In 2015, Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz stated that the West should involve Assad in the struggle against the Islamic State.[3]
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It was reported in 2021 that Austria is considering resuming relations with Syria together with at least 4 other EU member states.[4]
There are roughly 95,000 of Syrians in Austria as of 2024, most of whom came after 2014.[5][6] Following the outcome of the civil war in Syria and change of government, Austria pause asylum applications and family reunions.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "KUNA :: Syrian President al-Assad visits Austria, Slovakia by end of current month 15/04/2009". www.kuna.net.kw.
- ^ "Austria determined to keep EU's Syria arms embargo". Reuters. 14 May 2013.
- ^ "President Assad should have role in fight against Isis, says Austrian minister". Independent.co.uk. 8 September 2015.
- ^ "As diplomats return, is Europe rebuilding bridges with Assad's Syria?". euronews. June 17, 2021.
- ^ "Demographic Profile of Syrians in Austria".
- ^ "Syrians in Austria do volunteer work to disarm doubts about migrants". VOA News. 2024-09-29.
- ^ Alkousaa, Riham (2024). "European countries put Syrian asylum bids on hold after Assad's fall".
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