News from Berlin

Austrian and German Foreign Ministers Meet in Berlin

January 17th, 2014

German-Austrian Bilateral Relations Better than Ever

Political discussions about international issues such as the West Balkans and Syria in the hope of reaching points of convergence over the topics.

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News from Berlin. On Wednesday 15th January, German Foreign Minister, Frank Walter Steinmeier, welcomed his Austrian counterpart Sebastian Kurz to Berlin to engage in political talks.

The agenda for their discussions included not only bilateral relations, Europe, and the west Balkans but also Syria with the aim of reaching points of convergence on the topics.

The German foreign office reported on the special friendship that the two countries have between one and other, going above and beyond the normal diplomatic relationship held by two countries.  Kurz offered particular praise to the close relationship with the neighbouring country.

He mentioned: “That is not a partnership, as we have with other countries, but a real friendship between our two countries.” In addition to this comment, Steinmeier made a joke on the relationship quoting author Karl Kraus as such: “The only thing that splits us apart is our shared language”.

The two ministers “came into office at the same time”, according to Kurz and he mentioned that he was “pleased to say that we quickly met in Berlin”.

During the talks, Steinmeier and Kurz agreed to meet with each other “as much as possible”.

The coming year marks the 100-year anniversary of the First World War with commemorative events planned across Europe.

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