Sebastian Kurz has said he was pleased with the EU’s offer the UK could cancel Brexit and remain a member of the bloc.
In a speech to MEPs, head of the European Council Donald Tusk said: “If the UK Government sticks to its decision to leave, Brexit will become a reality with all its negative consequences in March next year.
“Unless there is a change of heart among our British friends.”
President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker also said: “Tusk said our door still remains open and I hope that will be heard clearly in London.”
The Austrian chancellor went on to commend the Brussels leaders for their comments, hailing them as an opportunity to reverse the “negative effects” of Brexit.
Mr Kurz said: “You know that Brexit is a huge challenge and of course it has negative effects not only on Britain, but also on the European Union.
“Therefore there is an offer by the Commission President.
“But the decision is of course up to Great Britain. But I am glad that this offer exists.”
Theresa May has invited Mr Kurz to come to the UK in the near future, which the leader is said to have accepted.
Mr Kurz took office in December after winning an October election.
He has previously said he hoped he and Mrs Merkel would be able to “change the EU positively together”.
However, he has admitted to being sceptical about Eurozone reforms.
He said: “I am much more sceptical about certain considerations regarding the Eurozone, such as a possible Eurozone budget.”
He has also voiced his concern that with the UK leaving the bloc, countries such as Austria and Germany could end up paying too much for what they get back in return.
When Mr Kurz was the Foreign Minister of Austria, he said Brexit must bring about a policy change in the EU.
Additional reporting by Monika Pallenburg