Austria

Political relations

Following the attacks that plunged Austria and France into mourning in the autumn of 2020, the two countries backed a joint declaration on combatting terrorism adopted by the General Affairs Council of the European Union, on 17 November 2020.

In addition to internal security issues, Austria and France cooperate closely on a bilateral and European level to strengthen migration management and the functioning of the Schengen area, the protection of the rule of law, the enlargement process, the green recovery and international trade negotiations.

The Austro-French Centre for Rapprochement in Europe (CFA/ÖFZ) is an instrument of bilateral dialogue. Created in 1978 at the initiative of former Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky and Jacques Chirac to promote contacts between Western Europe and the former Eastern Bloc, the CFA’s mandate evolved over time as the EU expanded to the East. Based in Vienna and financed equally by the two governments, it organizes conferences, seminars and events giving rise to publications. A third of its work is devoted to the Western Balkans, a third to the Eastern Partnership and a third to the European Union.

Economic relations

In addition to the Embassy’s regional economic section, Business France and Atout France have an office in Vienna. The French-Austrian Chamber of Commerce (CCFA) has around 270 members. Several hundred French companies receive support each year for developing their operations in Austria. Austrian companies are also supported in investing in France, as well as undertaking projects with French companies. One example of this cooperation is the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the French-Austrian company Valneva.

In 2024, the total amount of French imports from Austria remained essentially stable, down slightly by 0.4% to €6.17 billion, making France Austria’s sixth largest customer. French exports fell by 3.2% to €5.2 billion, continuing the downward trend seen since 2023, following several years of growth. France’s trade deficit with Austria has nonetheless decreased sharply over the long term (from €2 billion in 2019 to €979 million) and France remains Austria’s ninth-largest supplier thanks to a twofold increase in its exports of pharmaceutical products. Bilateral trade primarily concerns pharmaceutical products, industrial and agricultural machinery, chemical, fragrance and cosmetic products, metallurgical and metal products, and transport equipment.

In the area of taxation, France and Austria are demonstrating their excellent bilateral relationship by co-chairing a working group on real estate transparency as part of the European Union's Fiscalis programme for 2027 (which falls under the 2021-2027 EU budget, and aims to support national tax authorities to promote tax cooperation and help improve the implementation of their related policies).