Austria Receives First Special Envoy for Middle East

der Standard AT

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Arad Benkö is due to take over as of 1 January 2026. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs justifies the appointment with the fact that the Middle East is "in a highly dynamic phase"

Kronen Zeitung

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On 1 January 2026, Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) appointed her former cabinet chief as Special Envoy for the Middle East. "The aim is to make a visible contribution to stabilization," the Ministry announced on Friday. The fragile situation in the Gaza Strip, Syria and Lebanon, as well as the diplomatic efforts for the mediated Gaza peace plan by US President Donald Trump, made it clear that international cooperation was more nece…

Die Presse

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Arad Benkö, currently head of the cabinet of Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger (Neos), is to coordinate Austrian activities in the region at the beginning of 2026.

Kurier

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On 1 January 2026, the Foreign Minister appointed her former cabinet chief Arad Benkö as Special Envoy for the Middle East: "Middle East in a highly dynamic phase."

vienna.at

Salzburger Nachrichten

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suedtirolnews.it

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+2 Reposted by 2 other sources

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) appointed her former cabinet chief Arad Benkö as Special Envoy for the Middle East on 1 January 2026. As the Ministry recalled in a communication, the Middle East has always been a focus of Austrian foreign policy. Austria wants to "make a visible contribution to stabilisation" by appointing a special envoy in a "highly dynamic phase" for the Middle East region.