The Ambassador of Austria to Samoa, Wolfgang Lukas Strohmayer presented his credentials to the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II on Thursday afternoon.

During the credentials ceremony, the Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to present his letters of credentials to the Head of State of Samoa and conveyed warm greetings from the Austrian Federal President, Alexander van der Bellen as well as the Government and people of Austria. 

He also emphasised Austria’s close and friendly relations with Samoa throughout the years and that both countries continue to work together through cooperation at the multilateral level. 

Austria’s commitment to the fight against climate change and the importance of cooperating with other nations for climate action was also reaffirmed by the Ambassador. 

Mr. Strohmayer said he is keen to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Austria and Samoa fostering personal contacts at all levels and especially at the people-to-people level.  

In his responding remarks during the credential ceremony, the Head of State expressed his gratitude to President, Alexander van der Bellen for his kind sentiments and reciprocated his best wishes to His Excellency, the Government, and the people of Austria. 

The Head of State also acknowledged the importance of Samoa and Austria relations at the bilateral and international level to address issues of mutual interest, highlighting that it is through our shared beliefs and values for democracy, governance, peace and security, environmental conservation, and sustainable development that bind the strong friendship between both countries. 

A written statement on the Austrian Ambassador presenting his credentials was distributed by the Government Press Secretariat on Thursday.

He also expressed his confidence that the appointment of the Ambassador will yield many opportunities for governments and wished Mr. Strohmayer well in his new role as Ambassador to Samoa.    

Mr. Strohmayer Strohmayer is a career diplomat who served in various government positions within the Austrian Government. In his career, he served as attaché at the Embassy of Austria in Zagreb/Croatia (1995). He later served as Counsellor, Head of EU and Economic Affairs Department at the Embassy of Austria in Bonn/Germany. 

In 1999 he was posted as Counsellor at the Embassy of Austria in Budapest/Hungary and later the Minister plenipotentiary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Head of Unit: EU Single Market and Research; Competitiveness Council, COREPER I; EU-Presidency of Austria. In 2006 he was the Minister at the Embassy of Austria in Canberra and Deputy Head of Mission,  Consul General of Austria in Strasbourg, France, Minister, and later the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director. In 2019 he was appointed as Ambassador to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.