Lithuania - Austria cooperation
At a meeting between the foreign ministers of Austria and Lithuania in Vienna in late October, they discussed, among other things, current trade relations between the two countries. Michael Spindelegger, Austria’s foreign minister, described bilateral relations between Lithuania and Austria as “excellent and marked by many common interests.” His Lithuanian counterpart, Vygaudas Usackas, highlighted the harmonious cooperation in cultural, political and economic matters. Common ground in trade was also evident in the fact that Vilnius (Lithuania) and Linz (Austria) are currently European Capitals of Culture. At their meeting, both ministers also stressed that there was still considerable potential for strengthening cooperation between Lithuania and Austria, particularly in the economic sphere. The current figures are already impressive: in the past five years alone, trade between Austria and Lithuania has doubled.
Europäische Kulturhauptstadt Vilnius
Date: 30/09/2026
The foreign ministers said that Lithuania and Austria shared the same positions on a wide range of foreign and European policy issues, including European neighbourhood policy and the EU’s rapprochement with the Western Balkans. Both Lithuania and Austria expressed interest in further intensifying cooperation between the two countries. Initial new measures were discussed at the meeting in Vienna, and, according to both ministers, more in-depth talks are to begin soon.
The two foreign ministers also discussed current developments within Europe, focusing particularly on the upcoming EU summit, which will primarily address the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon. Both ministers believe that the goal must be to provide Europe with an important and significant foundation through the Treaty of Lisbon. Austria and Lithuania therefore expect the Czech Republic to complete the final step still pending, so that the treaty can then be approved and brought into force at the EU summit.
Photo: Alesia Belaya
