Bilateral cooperation The traditionally In the past few years, several high-ranking Austrian regional politicians have visited Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein ministers in turn have maintained regular and intensified close relations with Austria were further expanded in the past few years. contact with the Austrian federal states and have participated in events such as the European Forum Alpbach, the various Lech fora, and the European Forum Wachau in the Abbey of Göttweig. Several projects and events in the immediate region have developed very intensively. These initiatives are increasingly initiated and implemented directly by the individual specialist ministries and offices. Cooperation is especially close in the fields of culture, the environment, internal security, cross-border transportation (FL-A-CH commuter train and establishment of the new border clearance facility at the Tisis-Schaanwald customs office), sports (EYOF 2015), tourism and health. Liechtenstein and Austria are close trading partners and have tight economic links. About 8,000 Austrian cross-border commuters come to work in Liechtenstein every day. Liechtenstein and Austrian companies are often themselves active in both countries, focused not only on regional but also on international markets. Liechtenstein benefits in this regard from the very good economic development of Austria, compared with other European countries, which in turn builds on its strong position as supplier to German industry and markets in the Far East. Several Central and Eastern European countries have also overcome the crisis relatively well, and they are in turn closely linked with the Austrian economy, especially through banks. Liechtenstein and Austria pursue very similar goals in their foreign policy, and they support each other’s candidatures as well as in international fora where initiatives relating to peacekeeping, the observation and progressive development of international law, and the equal rights of states are at issue. Liechtenstein can also count on Austrian support in its concerns regarding the European unification process and the EEA. Liechtenstein supports Austria’s efforts to consolidate and expand Vienna as a seat of international organisations and events. In the past few years, the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) and the International Peace Institute (IPI) have been established in Vienna with Liechtenstein’s support. The Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination (LISD) has held events in Vienna on Afghanistan and religion, diplomacy and international relations. Political talks take place on a regular basis in Vienna and Vaduz between the Liechtenstein and the Austrian foreign ministry at a high official level on foreign policy topics. Given Austria’s position as an important centre for cultural activities in the German-speaking and Central European region, there have long been strong cultural ties between the two countries. In light of this fact and the foreign cultural policy of both countries, cultural exchange has been strengthened in recent years. The implemented projects and events include the continuation of Liechtenstein’s participation in the Austrian libraries abroad, artists in residence, MOYA, theatre productions within the framework of ASSITEJ, «In Between. Austria Contemporary», STELLA, participation in anniversary events celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Museums­ quartier in Vienna, the Arte Povera exhibit in the Lentos museum in Linz, and participation in the foreign cultural days of the Austrian foreign ministry. This collaboration will be further strengthened in the future. | 29