ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Vienna on Sunday on a two-day visit to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation, marking the first official visit by a Pakistani premier to Austria in over three decades.

Sharif is undertaking the visit, which marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, at Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker’s invitation, according to the Pakistani foreign office.

This marks the first visit by any Pakistani prime minister to Austria in more than three decades since then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is also Sharif’s elder brother, visited the country in 1992.

Sharif, accompanied by a high-level delegation, was warmly welcomed by Austrian officials and presented a salute by a contingent of Austrian armed forces upon arrival at the Vienna airport, his office said.

“Wheels down in Vienna, a city of history, culture and global diplomacy,” the Pakistan premier said on X late Sunday, adding that he looked forward to his meeting with Chancellor Stocker.

“Our focus shall be on trade, investment and economic cooperation.”

He said he was also keen to engage with the leadership of the International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and United Nations Industrial Development Organization to deepen cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy, counter-narcotics and crime control, sustainable industrial development and shared progress.

During the visit, Sharif’s office said, the prime minister will also address the Pakistan-Austria Business Forum and co-chair with the Austrian chancellor a meeting of leading businessmen to increase investment between the two countries.

Islamabad and Vienna enjoy cooperation in the domains of trade, economy, culture and education, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry. Sharif’s visit will establish new dimensions to the Pakistan-Austria relations.