Priorities of foreign policy Neighbourhood policy and other priority countries Liechtenstein’s foreign policy builds on concentric circles. The focus of Liechten­stein’s foreign policy has always been on neighbourhood policy and the relations with the neighbouring countries of Switzerland and Austria. Liechtenstein covers subsets of state action through cooperation agreements with these neighbours. Also in this context, Liechtenstein’s neighbourhood policy and cooperation within the region play an important role. Liechtenstein is linked with its neighbours through a shared history, a shared culture, and membership in the same geographical region. All three countries share the same values, pursue similar goals in their foreign policy, are characterised by political stability, and are closely linked with each other through their economies. Beyond this, all three countries are integrated within the European unification process, albeit in different ways. In an extended sense, the Federal Republic of Germany can also be considered a neighbouring country of Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein and Germany are likewise linked by a rich common history, the German language – and accordingly similarities in their linguistic and cultural histories – and not least of all by the European Single Market, in which Germany is Liechtenstein’s most important trading partner. Germany’s role within the EU, but also in the OECD, the G8 and the G20 make Liechtenstein’s relations with Germany especially important, even beyond neighbourhood policy alone. In recent years, the exchange and cooperation between the German-speaking countries have intensified in many different areas of policymaking. This development is due to the growing role of Germany in the EU, the fact that the region is made up of economically strong countries with different degrees of European integration, the increasing importance of regional co­ operation in Europe, and not least of all the financial centre issues that must be resolved. In the context of these developments, the Liechtenstein Government has developed a new communication concept which targets the neighbouring countries especially Neighbourhood policy plays a central role. and which aims to improve Liechtenstein’s image and familiarity with the country. As part of the communication concept, numerous information and networking events have been organised, reaching groups of people who previously had only few points of contact with Liechtenstein. Media relations have likewise been intensified. In Liechtenstein, regional cooperation and accordingly neighbourhood policy play an important role in the everyday life of people living in a mobile and integrated environ­ ment. To promote close exchange and cooperation in the region, regular exchanges at the level of government members and officials within the framework of various fora have been established over the years. These exchanges naturally are guided very strongly by practical issues and questions. Regional cooperation occurs especially in areas such as transportation, education, police cooperation, health, social security, environment, and culture, where nume­ rous cooperation arrangements exist with the Swiss cantons of St. Gallen and Graubünden and the Austrian state of Vorarlberg. The most recent example of cooperation at the regional level is the Rhine Valley Research and Innovation Centre (RhySearch). | 13