'We view Kazakhstan as region's seismograph' – Austrian FM after talks in Astana
Austria's Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, will visit Astana Airport. Following talks with Kazakh Foreign Minister Yerlan Kosherbayev, she also told reporters that talks are planned between the interior ministers of Kazakhstan and Austria, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to the Austrian minister, relations between the two countries are showing positive momentum. She noted that Kazakhstan's geopolitical role offers significant potential for further cooperation.
She said Austria views Kazakhstan as a kind of "seismograph" for the region. To understand ongoing processes, she clarified, it is essential to maintain dialogue with neighboring countries. This approach helps identify changes early and assess risks. Austria is interested in stability and in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and illegal migration – work that begins long before reaching its borders, in cooperation with partners such as Kazakhstan.
The Austrian foreign minister also noted that Kazakhstan plays a crucial role in ensuring energy supplies, especially amid growing tensions in the Middle East.
She emphasized that Austria receives oil from Kazakhstan as part of supply chains that keep daily life running – from factories and stores to transport networks. Guarantees of uninterrupted supply do not arise automatically, she stressed, adding that Austria intends to remain a reliable partner for Kazakhstan.
According to Meinl-Reisinger, Kazakhstan remains a vital economic partner for Austria in Central Asia. She highlighted that many Austrian companies are operating in Kazakhstan, adding that a significant business delegation accompanies her.
Today, the two sides are discussing cooperation in promising areas such as environmental technologies, energy efficiency, mechanical engineering, and industry.
She also announced that a meeting between the Austrian interior minister and his Kazakh counterpart is scheduled as part of the visit.
On the second day of her visit, Beate Meinl-Reisinger plans to tour Astana's airport.
Austria places great emphasis on cooperation, including through international organizations such as the OSCE, she explained. Tomorrow, she said, the delegation will visit an OSCE facility at Astana airport, where Austrian technologies are helping strengthen Kazakhstan's border security. She described this as an example of practical cooperation and joint response measures.
As Qazinform reported earlier, the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, arrived on Tuesday in Astana for an official visit. Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev held a meeting with Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Federal Minister of the Interior of Austria Gerhard Karner.
