The Ambassador in Vienna is accredited to Austria on a resident basis while he is accredited on a non-resident basis to the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Slovenia. South Africa has an Honorary Consul based in Bratislava as well as an Honorary Consul based in Ljubljana.

The Embassy primarily focuses on furthering the cordial bilateral relations that South Africa has with Austria, the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Slovenia. The Embassy enhances trade and investments as well as promotes tourism, etc.

The functions and duties of the embassy are informed by its domestic needs and priorities, therefore as an extension of our government. We aim to contribute towards achieving these goals of ending the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment by tapping into the comparative advantages and opportunities these countries offer.

The Republic of Austria

Relations between South Africa and Austria date back to 1852 when Austria opened a Consulate in Cape Town. The Department of Science and Technology (now called the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation) and the Ministry of Science, Research and Economy signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Scientific and Technological Cooperation in 2015.

Imports and exports between South Africa and Austria are on a healthy footing but there are many opportunities to increase bilateral trade as well as investment.

The Slovak Republic

Bilateral relations between South Africa and the Slovak Republic are cordial and date back to 1993.  Whilst South Africa does not have an Embassy in Bratislava, the Ambassador in Vienna is accredited on a non-resident basis to Slovakia. The Slovak Republic has an Embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an Honorary Consul based in Bratislava. There is a bilateral consultation mechanism between the two countries in the Joint Council for Economic Cooperation (JCEC).

The Republic of Slovenia

South Africa and the Republic of Slovenia established and have maintained cordial diplomatic relations since 1992. Whilst South Africa does not have an Embassy in Ljubljana, the Ambassador in Vienna is accredited on a non-resident basis to Slovenia. Slovenia does not have an Embassy in South Africa but has an Honorary Consul General in Cape Town.  South Africa has an Honorary Consul in Ljubljana. There is a bilateral consultation mechanism between the two countries on the level of Senior Foreign Affairs officials.