VIENNA, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Austria plans to make a structural adjustment to its diplomatic presence abroad by 2010 that will see a boost in the Black Sea and Caucasus region and closures elsewhere, the Austrian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

    Austria will significantly strengthen its presence in the Black Sea region, which is important politically, economically and also in terms of energy, Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said.

    Under the adjustment, an embassy in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, will be established. Oil-rich Azerbaijan has been an important energy supplier for the European countries.

    Other moves include the closure of the embassy in Muscat, Oman, and the enhancement of the embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in 2009 and the embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2010.

    The adjustment will "not only ensure an efficient and service-oriented diplomatic network, but also keep individual career opportunities of the ministry," Spindelegger said.

    Austria opened its embassy in Kazakhstan in January 2008.