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Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, diplomacy, culture and tourism between Austria and its partners
Vienna's Foreign and Bilateral Relations
Closure of Controversial King Abdullah Center in Vienna Decided
The Austrian National Council has decided to close the King Abdullah Centre in Vienna. The KAICIID - King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, which is largely financed by Saudi Arabia, has long been controversial. The imminent death sentence of 18-year-old Murtaja Qureiris in Saudi Arabia was the immediate cause. The majority decision of parliament must now be implemented by the Foreign Ministry under Alexander Schallenberg. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) spoke out in favour of a new centre under the auspices of the UN.
June 13, 2019
In Vino Veritas: Wine in Ancient Egypt
Wine has always been a drink for gods and people. The noble drink was just like today an important economic good and stimulant and possessed besides a large religious and cultic meaning. Also in the country at the Nile it was already early professionally produced and enjoyed generously. Under the title "In vino veritas. Wein im alten Ägypten", the Papyrus Museum of the Austrian National Library presents more than 70 fascinating exhibits, up to 3,000 years old, on viticulture and wine enjoyment.
June 13, 2019
Business and Networking Event at the Embassy of India in Vienna
The Embassy of India in Vienna hosted a business talk and networking session with the purpose to bring together Austrian companies having business interest in India and to provide them with a platform to share their experiences and to provide answers to their queries.
June 12, 2019
Celebrate the International Day of Yoga by Exercising
The Indian Embassy in Vienna invites all Yoga enthusiasts to the free International Day of Yoga 2019 in the Vienna Stadtpark. In addition, the United Nations in Vienna invites all yoga fans to "Yoga with Gurus", followed by a panel discussion.
June 12, 2019
Cooperation of the Metropolises Hamburg, Vienna and Zurich
The three German-speaking cities of Hamburg, Vienna and Zurich want to cooperate more closely in their sustainable development within the framework of a city trialogue in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
June 12, 2019
Potential President of the EU Commission Michel Barnier Met Top of New Austrian Government
Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier was in Vienna to meet several members of the new government, including Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. Officially, the Brexit negotiations were the focus of the talks, however, unofficially Barnier repeatedly shows interest as Jean-Claude Juncker's successor in the office of EU Commission President.
June 11, 2019
Global Compact for Migration: Top UN Refugee Agency Diplomat Volker Türk at the Kreisky Forum
Austria's top diplomat in the UNHCR, a United Nations Programme, the international law expert Dr. Volker Türk has made an appeal to governments, NGOs and individuals to rethink refugee protection and to implement the UN Global Compact for Refugees adopted in 2018.
June 6, 2019
Austrian Top Diplomat Albert Rohan Deceased
As one of his first duties the new Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg had to inform the public about the death of one of the most distinguished diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Albert Rohan died shortly after his 83rd birthday. He had played a crucial role in shaping Austrian foreign policy in numerous international functions.
June 5, 2019
Summit of German-speaking Heads of State in Linz 2019
This year's informal meeting of German-speaking heads of state with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, King Philippe of Belgium, Federal President Ueli Maurer, Hereditary Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen took place in Linz. The main topics were current political questions from the respective countries and the future of Europe based on the results of the European elections.
June 5, 2019
Western Balkans: Austrians Demand EU Accession Negotiations Begin
After the EU Commission issued a recommendation for the opening of accession talks with the two Western Balkan states North Macedonia and Albania, the European parliamentarians of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) Karas and Mandl demand that the "promises" be kept. The decision to open accession talks will be taken by the Member States later in June.
June 5, 2019
Turkish - Austrian Diplomatic Efforts Bear Fruit
According to outgoing Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has promised in a telephone conversation to ease the Turkish blockade of Austria in the "Partnership for Peace (PfP)" programme. The PfP is a NATO program aimed at creating trust between NATO and non-NATO members.
June 3, 2019
Criticism of the Lack of Foreign and European Policy Reports
The opposition, represented by Andreas Schieder (SPÖ), criticises the fact that for the last three years the Foreign Ministers Kurz and Kneissel have not submitted any annual Foreign and European Policy Reports for the purpose of reporting on fundamental foreign policy issues.
June 3, 2019
40 Years of the UN in Vienna - The Tireless Commitment of António Guterres
UN Secretary General António Guterres completed a busy programme when he came to Vienna for the 40th anniversary celebrations and the R20 Austria World Summit. The VIC Vienna International Centre is the place where, with the help of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the 193 member states, 15 Vienna-based UN organisations and more than 5000 people from 125 countries from around the world are bound together.
May 31, 2019
Combat Climate Change - António Guterres' Remarks at the R20 Austrian World Summit
Because of climate change all around the world the sea level is rising, floods, drought, wildfires and extreme storms appear, and people are now losing their homes and being forced to migrate. Read what António Guterres had to say in Vienna after a trip to the South Pacific.
May 30, 2019
40 Years of the UN in Vienna - Guterres, Kneissl and Ludwig at Ceremony
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the VIC Vienna International Centre (UNO-City), UN Secretary General António Guterres, former Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig attended a ceremony at the Vienna headquarters of the United Nations.
May 30, 2019
Diplomats for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2019
More and more embassies, delegations and permanent representations to international organisations supported this day (IDAHOBIT), that raises awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide, as well as EuroPride 2019 in Vienna.
May 29, 2019
Head of China's Top Legislative Body in Vienna
Li Zhanshu, one of China's most powerful politicians was in Vienna and was received by Austria's central institutions despite the domestic political turbulences.
May 28, 2019
Largest Chinese Bank Opened Branch Office in Vienna
China's largest bank, ICBC - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was officially commenced for business in Vienna. Mr. Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, who was on an official visit in Austria attended the opening ceremony of ICBC Austria Bank GmbH (ICBC Austria).
May 28, 2019
EU and UN - 40 Years Together in Vienna
Both the UN United Nations and the EU European Union celebrate their 40th anniversary in Vienna. The Delegation of the European Union to the International Organisations in Vienna was established as soon as the United Nations opened their Vienna headquarters in 1979.
May 27, 2019
New Chinese Panda Bear Arrived in Vienna
During his visit to Vienna, Li Zhanshu, one of China's most powerful politicians, brought a panda male with him and handed him over to Schönbrunn Zoo.
May 24, 2019
Mongolia in Its Perception in Austria
A conference lasting several days entitled "Mongolia in its Perception in Austria - Die Mongolei in ihrer Wahrnehmung in Österreich" will present Mongolia from a scientific, political and cultural perspective. Culinary delights from Mongolia will not be neglected.
May 21, 2019
Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce Strengthens Links with Iraq
Representatives of the AACC visited Baghdad to further develop the foundation for Iraq-Austria business relations. Visits and contacts with, among others, the Mayor of Baghdad, the Ministry of Electricity, the Governor of the Central Bank and the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce were on the agenda.
May 20, 2019
Ibiza-Video - New Elections in Austria after Vice Chancellor Resignation
After the release of the incriminating video of "foreign secret services" and the resulting resignation of Vice-Chancellor Heinz Christian Strache, the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) headed by Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz calls for early elections as soon as possible. He had also informed the Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. "Enough is enough", Kurz said in a press statement on Saturday evening.
May 18, 2019
Opening of the New Austrian Foreign Trade Centre in Vietnam
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber's largest economic mission to Vietnam and Singapore is currently travelling in Southeast Asia to open a new base in Ho Chi Minh City and to sign a cooperation agreement in Singapore to establish a new Accelerator Programme.
May 16, 2019
Russia Expands Network in Upper Austria
Wolfgang Mayer of the company Backaldrin was elected Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation for Upper Austria in Asten/Upper Austria by the Russian Ambassador in Austria, H.E. Dmitrij Ljubinskij. After the already established Honorary Consulates in Innsbruck and Bludenz, he thus takes over the third Russian Honorary Consulate in Austria. His task is to look after the 3000 Russians in Upper Austria and to promote culture and education.
May 16, 2019
ALPS 2019: How Diplomacy and Commerce Fit Together
As part of the 11th ALPS round in May 2019, 21 international company and start-up founders from 13 non-EU countries had the opportunity to make contact with Austrian decision-makers, explore ways of working together and develop new ideas.
May 16, 2019
Vienna Sticks to Iran Agreement
At the Eastern Partnership meeting in Brussels, the foreign ministers of the EU states discussed the rescue efforts for the nuclear agreement with Iran, specifically the maintenance of trade relations despite US sanction threats. Austria's Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl demanded that the nuclear agreement with Iran should be an EU priority.
May 16, 2019
New Nuncio Lopez to Be Bridge between Rome and Austria
The new Apostolic Nuncio in Austria sees itself as an instrument of unity and communication between the Pope and the Church in Austria. This was underlined by Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana (65) at his first official meeting with the Austrian Bishops' Conference in Vienna.
May 15, 2019
Putin and Van der Bellen Open Sochi Dialogue Forum
The Sochi Dialogue Russian Austrian Forum was opened in the Black Sea port city as part of a working discussion between Russian and Austrian representatives from politics, business, science, education, art and culture.
May 15, 2019
Chinese Whispers - 中国私语
Don't miss the Chinese contemporary art exhibition "Chinese Whispers: Recent Art from the Sigg Collection", which shows 100 objects from the collection of the Swiss collector Uli Sigg until 26 May in the MAK - Museum of Applied Arts. Among other artists, works by internationally renowned artists such as Ai Weiwei, Cao Fei, Feng Mengbo, He Xiangyu, Liu Ding, and Song Dong are on display.
May 15, 2019
Africa! Africa! - The Continent of Amazement Returns to Vienna
André Heller's new production of his tour comes back to Vienna. Africa! Africa! inspired more than 180.000 spectators last year. This year's tour features spectacular new numbers and award-winning artists.
May 15, 2019 · Sponsored Content
The Ambassadors of the Four Allied Powers in the Austrian Federal Chancellery
On the occasion of the "Liberation" Day of Austria from National Socialism by the Allies in 1945 and the end of the Second World War (Victory in Europe Day), Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz received the four ambassadors of the USA (Trevor Traina), Great Britain (Leigh Turner), France (representative of Francois Marcel Michel Saint-Paul) and Russia (Dmitrij Ljubinskij) at the Federal Chancellery.
May 13, 2019
Migration Agency Demands New EU Migration Policy
Vienna based think tank International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is teaming up with its 17 member states to draw up migration policy recommendations for the next EU Commission.
May 10, 2019
The Lipizzaners - What Links Austria and Slovenia Together
The Lipizzan horses are to become cultural heritage. After decades of dispute, Slovenia and Austria submit the Lipizzaner breed to UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. This was declared by Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and her Slovenian colleague Miro Cerar after signing a joint declaration in Going in Tyrol. The application should be submitted by March 2020 with the aim of enrolment by 2021.
May 7, 2019
Meet Thailand's New Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna: H.E. Ms. Morakot Sriswasdi
The new Permanent Representative of Thailand to the International Organizations in Vienna, Morakot Sriswasdi, presented her credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and to Yukiya Amano, IAEA Director General.
May 6, 2019
Commemoration Ceremony at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp
Memorial Day against Violence and Racism for the Victims of National Socialism and Liberation of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp on 5 May 1945, where 100,000 people were murdered.
May 6, 2019
UNESCO - Austria Awarded Two More World Heritage Sites
In addition to the currently troubled "Historical Centre of Vienna", which is to be preserved as a World Heritage Site, two other Austrian sites will be added to the World Heritage List at the next UNESCO meeting in Baku at the end of June. The "Danubian Limes" (Donaulimes), part of the former border of the Roman Empire, and the "Grossglockner High Alpine Road", the highest surfaced mountain pass road in Austria. Thus Austria will have 12 World Heritage Sites starting in summer 2019.
May 6, 2019
National Council Chairman: Liechtenstein an Important Economic Partner
The Chairman of the National Council Wolfgang Sobotka pays tribute to the Principality of Liechtenstein as neighbour and friend.
May 3, 2019
Antisemitism in Austria - Initiative to Reverse Worrying Trends
As the Jewish community in Austria reports growing concerns about the rise of antisemitism, at the invitation of the FRA - EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, local and EU policymakers, Jewish community organisations and civil society met to discuss how to combat this worrying trend.
May 3, 2019
Asia's Largest Airline to Fly to Vienna
From 18 June 2019, China's largest airline, China Southern Airlines, will fly three times a week from Guangzhou to Vienna via the capital Ürümqi (Wūlǔmùqí) in Xinjiang, China's most northwestern province. Xinjiang has made international headlines in the last two years due to massive human rights violations. China may have interned more than a million Uighurs, Turkic-speaking Muslims, in an attempt to suppress their desire for greater autonomy.
May 2, 2019
CETA Complies with EU Law - Austria Signs Free Trade Agreement with Canada
The agreement had been provisionally in force since the previous year and exports to Canada had recently risen by 7.5 percent. Now that the European Court of Justice has ruled that CETA, especially the arbitral tribunals, is in conformity with EU law, this is welcomed in Austria by business-oriented institutions and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen has confirmed his willingness to sign the agreement.
May 2, 2019
Foreign Minister of Albania Gent Cakaj Visits Vienna
Austria emphasises its continued support for the commencement of EU accession negotiations with Albania.
April 26, 2019
Belt and Road Initiative - China's Reconquest of the World
Many heads of state did refrain from appearing at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing this year, or are increasingly expressing themselves critically. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz also expressed his caution after meeting President Xi and Prime Minister Li Keqiang for talks.
April 26, 2019
Alibaba's Jack Ma Hosted Lower Austrian Business Delegation
In order to improve bilateral relations and exports between Lower Austria and the Chinese partner province Zhejiang near Shanghai, a large delegation from Lower Austria headed by Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner was touring East China this week. The plan is to increase goods exports by 100 million euros within four years.
April 26, 2019
WeWork Cooperation to Facilitate Internationalization of Austrian Start-ups in the USA
The aim of the cooperation between shared workspace provider WeWork and AWS - Austria Wirtschaftsservice is to support innovative Austrian start-ups in their internationalisation in New York and on the US market.
April 26, 2019
Mobile Bank N26 Invests in Tech Centre in Vienna
Germany's mobile bank N26 plans to hire more than 300 software engineers, product managers and IT specialists in Vienna in the long term and up to 100 in the medium term. The office is scheduled to open in autumn 2019, and specialists will be recruited with immediate effect.
April 26, 2019
Vienna Stock Exchange - More US Stocks on Offer
The global market segment of the Vienna Stock Exchange will be expanded with listings of primarily US companies but also stocks from Europe.
April 26, 2019
IS Returnees to Austria - No Consular Protection Abroad
Austria adopted an autonomous consular law whereby consular protection abroad is regulated in a separate law for the first time and IS returnees can be denied consular protection.
April 26, 2019
National Council: Against Nuclear Power and Nuclear Waste Repositories at Austria's Borders
The Austrian National Council unanimously expressed its opposition both to nuclear waste disposal at Austria's borders and to the commissioning of the Mochovce 3 reactor, as well as to the obligations under the Nagoya Protocol on Biological Diversity.
April 26, 2019
Silk Road Initiative in Mutual Interest - Chinese Delegation at Austrian Parliament
During a working visit by Ma Biao, former member of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and current Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Austrian parliamentarians show interest in the trade partnership with China.
April 19, 2019
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