by Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister Mr. Michael Spindelegger
“The relationships between our two countries are closer and more multi-faceted than ever before – on a human, cultural, political and economic level. Romania has become a strategic partner for us in many respects; we share common interests with regard to energy security, the development of the Danube region and to overcoming the current financial and economic crises”, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said on the occasion of his recent visit to Bucharest on 17 October 2012. “For many years, Austria has been one of the biggest foreign investors in Romania; over 6000 Austrian companies do business here. We therefore have a strategic interest in stable and predictable domestic conditions. This includes progress in terms of the rule of law and reforms of the judicial system. Romania must remain a reliable member for the partners in the EU.Only this Monday I had the opportunity to open the Informal Meeting of Ministers of the Danube region in Austria together with my colleague Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean. The EU strategy for the Danube Region is a Romanian-Austrian success story. In times that are difficult in economic terms, it is more important than ever to bundle interests and jointly plan investments and projects in the Danube area to tap ever-scarcer financial resources and to make the best possible use of growth potential.”
