Embassy of the Republic of Austria
In January 2019, His Excellency Georg Pöstinger was appointed as the Austrian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Before this position, the Ambassador Pöstinger worked as deputy inspector general of the foreign ministry of Austria. From 2010 to 2014, Mr. Pöstinger served as deputy ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Ambassador has also served in Stockholm and Tokyo.
Saudi Arabia is Austria’s main export destination and trading partner in the Middle East. How do you envision the future opportunities for a trade partnership that will foster the growth of trade?
Saudi Arabia is a country showing a very dynamic development and huge upside potential. In line with Vision 2030, there are future opportunities in Green Tech, infrastructure, healthcare, tourism, and the entertainment sector. Especially when it comes to environmental technologies, recycling, water management, and desalination, Austrian companies offer world-leading system solutions and know-how. Furthermore, Austria has a number of hidden champions in urban technologies, smart cities, and ample expertise in the healthcare sector. Austria is well known as a tourism destination – but not only tourism as such, but training and education in the hospitality sector can be an area of cooperation between our two countries.
During the state visit to Austria, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed bilateral relations and common international issues with Austrian leaders. What are the global challenges where two sides can make a change?
I am more than happy to say that His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan met Austrian federal minister for foreign affairs Alexander Schallenberg more recently in Riyadh and took him on a trip to imbibe the beauty and spirit of Al-Ula and Madai’in Saleh. Amongst others, the ministers agreed that international terrorism and extremist ideologies keep posing a growing global security threat that can only be overcome by cooperation between international partners. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia potentially has a key role in renewable energy and global mobility, where Austria and the European Union need to forge innovative partnerships with our friends to fight climate change.
One of the main goals of Saudi Vision 2030 is an oil-diversified economy. Aside from oil, what do you consider as Saudi Arabia’s key asset for its future prosperity?
We consider Saudi Arabia a key country in the region because of its geographical location between Europe, Asia, and Africa, and given the excellent infrastructure and human capital the country already has. Moreover, Saudi Arabia wields considerable cultural influence and soft power as the birthplace of Islam and the home of the Two Holy Mosques. In my opinion, the more the Kingdom can harness these structural advantages, the more jobs could be created in future-oriented areas such as the service industry, tourism, or finance. In view of the Kingdom’s topography and climatic conditions, one cannot help but imagine a very bright future for renewable energy sources in this country. Last but not least, Saudi people are very fond of technology that could help them compete in fields that will mark our future lives, such as the Internet of Things or Artificial Intelligence.
As of 2019, over 132,300 Saudis visited Austria, becoming the most sizeable visitor group from the Gulf region. What makes Austria an attractive tourism destination specifically for Saudis? Why should Saudis visit Austria?
There are a lot of reasons I could think of why Saudis should travel to Austria. However, let me try to be as concise as possible: starting with the lush green one will find in all corners of Austria and which Saudis sometimes seem to yearn for. The incredible mountain sceneries, where we practice our national sport skiing and which keep impressing even the people who have grown up in Austria. The physical, cultural heritage of the country which was mentioned for the first time 1025 years ago and which is dotted with churches, monasteries, castles, and palaces; our capital Vienna from where the Habsburg family ruled large parts of Europe for centuries and which still is a business and diplomatic hub in Central Europe. Without delving too much into clichés, one cannot ignore the fact that composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, or Berg, to name just a few, made Vienna the world’s capital of music where one can enjoy wonderful concerts at Vienna State Opera or Musikvereinssaal. However, it is not only the capital that offers a preserved architectonic ensemble: Graz, Linz, Innsbruck, and Salzburg – well-known for Salzburg Festival – offer picturesque historical centers and should be on any visitor’s tour in Austria. Our pastry is renowned worldwide – the French call pastry “viennoiserie” for a reason – and restaurants serve a wide array of hearty fare in the whole country. Those who might miss access to the sea in a landlocked country like Austria should look at our impressive lakes in the south of Austria or the Alps. The Austrian hospitality industry is among the global world champions in tourism and is continuously adapting to the needs and wishes of the growing numbers of our foreign guests.
What do you think of DQ and its community? What would be your observation on multilateral diplomacy?
For us diplomats, life in the DQ feels like living in a village with Oud Square or Kindy Plaza being our village square. Once you have passed the security checks, you already feel that special homey atmosphere. The proximity of other embassies saves us a lot of time and hassle in Riyadh’s busy traffic and makes it easier to attend diplomatic receptions or events. Moreover, the DQ can boast of having the most beautiful parks in the capital, or arguably in the whole country. They are oases of peace and relaxation, which help DQ’s inhabitants to recharge batteries in the evening or during the weekend.
What is the daily routine of the Ambassador of Austria in the DQ? Any favorite places?
I divide my time in the daytime between the Austrian residence and the embassy, fortunately adjacent. An ambassador’s work does not stop at the end of the office hours but often brings me to receptions and dinners with fellow diplomats and my Saudi friends in the evening. If my sometimes too busy agenda permits, I enjoy going for long walks with Saudi friends along the walking trail or have a coffee or lunch at Oud Square. Playing the piano is another pastime that relaxes and inspires me.
Embassy of the Republic of Austria
Abdullah Al Sahmi Street, Al Idrisi, Safarat,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Closed on Fridays and Saturdays
Contact No: +966 11 480 1217
