Austrian-Swiss Relations

Both countries have had diplomatic relations since the Middle Ages . Habsburgs who ruled Austria for more than six centuries, originally from Argau , Switzerland . Both countries are predominantly German-speaking ^[2] .

On November 2, 1945, Switzerland officially recognized the Republic of Austria. Over the next two years, diplomatic missions were opened. After the end of World War II, the countries established close and friendly relations. Since 1955, Austria began to adhere to a policy of neutrality , which further brought it closer to Switzerland. In 1995, relations between countries deteriorated somewhat after Austria joined the European Union , but Austria still remained Switzerland's special partner in Europe ^[3] . Countries traditionally collaborate in many areas, including economic and financial issues, education, research, innovation and culture ^{[4] [5]} .

Countries regularly negotiate with Liechtenstein and Germany for political coordination, and also cooperate at the multilateral level in the United Nations , the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe . According to tradition, the first visit of a new head of government or the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria and Switzerland after taking office is traditionally carried out in a neighboring country ^{[6] [7]} . In 2017, 16,157 Swiss citizens resided in Austria. In 2017, 1781 Austrian students were registered in Switzerland ^[4] .

Together, both countries organized the 2008 European Cup .

In 2017, the volume of trade between countries amounted to more than 14 billion Swiss francs . Switzerland is one of the largest investors in the Austrian economy : at the end of 2016, the amount of investments amounted to 8.2 billion Swiss francs. Swiss companies in Austria have a staff of about 31,778 people. Austria's direct investment in Switzerland has risen sharply since 2000, and at the end of 2016 amounted to 7.3 billion Swiss francs ^[4] .

Austria has an embassy in Bern ^[8] , a consulate general in Zurich and seven honorary consulates in Basel , Kura , Geneva , Lausanne ^[9] , Lugano , Lucerne ^[10] and St. Gallen ^[11] . Switzerland has an embassy in Vienna ^[12] and six honorary consulates in Bregenz ^[13] , Graz ^[14] , Innsbruck ^[15] , Klagenfurt ^[16] , Linz ^[17] and Salzburg ^[18] .