Continuity and Cooperation

On May 15, 1955, the U.S. was a signatory to the Austrian State Treaty, ending the Four-Power occupation and declaring Austria to be a free, independent and neutral state. Because of Austria’s neutrality, Vienna has frequently been chosen as a venue of key superpower summit meetings and an official location for multi-lateral and international organizations. In addition to the bilateral Mission to Austria, the U.S. State Department maintains embassies to the United Nations in Vienna (UNVIE) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

While respective approaches to regional and international issues may differ at times, the United States and Austria share many common values and perspectives: support for human rights and the rule of law, commitment to reducing threats posed by climate change and nuclear proliferation, and a shared vision of peace and freedom for all. Austria and the United States, partners in promoting global security and prosperity, cooperate in addressing issues of global concern such as terrorism, illegal drug trade, organized crime, and trafficking in persons.

The two countries are bound together through family ties, people-to-people exchanges and contacts in business, the arts, education and research, sports and recreation. Last year, more than 175,000 Austrians visited the U.S., and nearly 500,000 Americans visited Austria.