ASEAN Welcomes New Austrian Ambassador

ASEAN and Austria agreed to enhance their relationship. This statement was conveyed by Dr. SurinPitsuwan, Secretary-General of ASEAN, when he was presented withthe Letter of Credentials by Dr. Andreas Karabaczek, Ambassador of Austria to ASEAN this weekat the ASEAN Secretariat.

Dr Surin extended his warm welcome to Ambassador Karabaczek' official assumption of his tour of duty as the Ambassador of Austria to ASEAN. Dr Surin informed Ambassador Karabaczek that there are 24 Ambassadors to ASEAN from the European region and appreciated for that kind of recognition.

During the presentation of credentials, Dr. Surin encouraged Dr. Karabaczek to initiate activities such as cultural performances in the Hibiscus Hall to promote awareness of the relations between ASEAN and Austria.

The two further discussed activities to increase Austria's visibility, including through cooperation in the areas of culture, science and technology, environment, media, and sports.

Ambassador Karabaczek, who is concurrently the Ambassador of Austria to Indonesia, succeeds the former Austrian Ambassador to ASEAN, Mr. Klaus Wölfer.