THE LEBANESE REPUBLIC AND THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA hereinafter referred to as the "Contracting Parties", 

DESIRING to encourage economic co-operation to the mutual benefit of both States, 

INTENDING to create and maintain favourable conditions for investments by investors of one Contracting Party in the territory of the other Contracting Party, 

RECOGNIZING that the encouragement and contractual protection of such investments are apt to stimulate private business initiative and to increase the prosperity of both States, 

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: