Vienna - Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia arrived in Austria for a three-day state visit on Tuesday. The king, who visits Austria for the second time since 1979 was welcomed in sunny but cold Vienna by Austrian President Heinz Fischer and his wife Margit.
The Social Democrat president and his wife have close ties to Sweden, as both their families fled Austria during the years of Nazi rule and spent the war years in Sweden.
The two neutral countries have been traditionally close and bilateral problems are close to non-existent. Both countries are interested in intensifying economic relations.
The Swedish royal couple is being accompanied by a large business delegation, representing companies like Scania, SAS, Volvo or Saab.
King Carl XVI Gustaf will meet Austrian President Heinz Fischer and Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer, visit parliament and on Wednesday, Vienna's UN headquarters.
On the tightly packed schedule are also a visit to the Albertina art museum. On Thursday, the last day of the three-day visit, the royal couple will travel to eastern Austria to visiting local winemakers.
Queen Silvia is participating in an international symposium on children's rights, where she will speak Wednesday.
