Vienna's Foreign and Bilateral Relations
Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, diplomacy, culture and tourism between Austria and its partners
Cooperation Between Austria and Greece to Address Illegal Migration as a Hybrid Threat
The signing of the "Vienna Declaration" took place at the Ministry of Defense in Vienna. Dr. Arnold Kammel, Secretary General and Defense Policy Director of the Austrian Ministry of Defense, and Dr. Konstantinos Balomenos, Defense Policy Director of Greece, signed the declaration in the presence of the Greek Ambassador in Vienna, H.E. Catherine Koika.
June 5, 2023
Iran's Enriched Uranium Stockpile Soars: IAEA Concerns Grow
A recent confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found that Iran now possesses 23 times as much enriched uranium as agreed in the 2015 international nuclear deal. In his latest report, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi discusses verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran and indirectly confirmed the concerns of the confidential report days earlier.
June 5, 2023
Anniversary Celebration at MuseumsQuartier: 30 Years of the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights
The Austrian Foreign Ministry, together with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is organizing a series of high-profile events in Vienna's MuseumsQuartier to mark the 30th anniversary of the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights. The events are intended to draw attention to the importance of human rights in times of global crises and to make it clear that they are the cornerstone of democracy, peace, and justice.
June 4, 2023
Focus on Strategic Partnership and Middle East Situation: Israel's Foreign Minister Visits Vienna
Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, visited his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg, in Vienna for the first time after taking office. During the meeting, the talks focused on the strategic partnership between the two countries, the Middle East peace process, and the latest geopolitical developments in the region.
June 1, 2023
OSCE Chairman Urges De-escalation and Emphasizes Youth Engagement During Visit to Kosovo and Serbia
The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Bujar Osmani, recently concluded a productive one-day visit to Kosovo. Chairman Osmani also visited Serbia's capital Belgrade a day earlier. During his visits, he engaged in high-level meetings with key political figures.
May 31, 2023
Austria Finances Demining Equipment for Ukraine Worth 2 Million Euros
After several weeks of heated discussion on how Austria should continue to support Ukraine, the Austrian government decided to provide financial assistance to Ukraine for 2 million euros for demining.
May 30, 2023
NATO Boosts Security Measures in Kosovo, Backed by Austrian Armed Forces
Following violent protests in northern Kosovo, NATO is reinforcing the international protection force KFOR there. The Austrian Armed Forces are now also increasing troop protection in northern Kosovo.
May 30, 2023
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani Wraps Up Visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina
The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, successfully concluded a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), where he engaged in high-level discussions with key officials and emphasized the importance of ongoing reforms in various sectors.
May 24, 2023
Austria Shows Interest in Developing the Railroad Infrastructure to the Slovenian Port of Koper
Despite expansion projects, rail capacity remains limited compared to road. The seaport in Koper, Slovenia, which is important for Austria, is an example of current efforts in rail expansion, but at the same time shows the limits of rail-bound freight transport. With regard to Koper, Austrian experts emphasized the importance of an efficient rail connection for freight traffic.
May 24, 2023
Hungarian Ambassador Reacted to Citation to Austrian Foreign Ministry
Hungarian Ambassador to Vienna Andor Nagy responded to Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg's criticism of Hungary's release of migrant smugglers and citation to the Austrian Foreign Ministry.
May 24, 2023
Meet the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Austria
The People's Republic of China has had a new ambassador in Austria for some time now. Meet Qi Mei, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Austria.
May 23, 2023
European Ministers of Serbia and Austria Emphasize the Importance of Relations
During her working visit to Belgrade, Austrian Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler met with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and her ministerial colleague Tanja Miščević.
May 22, 2023
Austrian Foreign Minister Summons Hungarian Ambassador
Diplomatic tensions arise as Hungary's early release of convicted human traffickers causes concern in Vienna. Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said in Brussels that the Hungarian ambassador would be brought to the Foreign Ministry because of the controversy over the release of migrant traffickers.
May 22, 2023
International Soldiers' Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Austrian Military Delegation for Peace
The 63rd International Soldiers' Pilgrimage to Lourdes is taking place under the motto "Let us build a church here". An Austrian delegation led by Military Bishop Werner Freistetter traveled to France with 289 pilgrims.
May 21, 2023
Diplomats Express Support for IDAHOBIT 2023: Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Gender Equality
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria and the diplomatic missions of several states, as well as organizations, have honored May 17 as the International Day against Homophobia, Biophobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). In a joint statement, they express their support for diversity and inclusion.
May 18, 2023
High-Level Meeting Between US and China Held in Vienna
After a prolonged period of silence between the US and China, a high-level meeting took place amid significant tensions. President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, met with China's top foreign policy official, Wang Yi, in Vienna.
May 15, 2023
Ukrainian Oligarch Dmytro Firtash Hiding in Vienna Faces Gas Purchase Manipulation Case
Dmytro Firtash, an oligarch who has lived in Vienna since 2014 and is linked to a U.S. extradition request, and eight other managers of gas companies in Ukraine controlled by Firtash have now been officially declared defendants in a criminal case.
May 15, 2023
Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Attends Gymnich Meeting
At the Gymnich meeting in Stockholm in May 2023, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg focused on the discussion of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU's relations with China.
May 15, 2023
Austrian Business Leaders and Government Officials Discuss Economic Ties with South Korea
The President of Austrian Chamber of Commerce Harald Mahrer welcomed South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. South Korea will be a global hotspot for future technologies of central importance for Austria.
May 14, 2023
India and Austria Sign Migration and Mobility Agreement
In a significant development, Austria and India have signed a comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership agreement to strengthen cooperation on legal migration and repatriation.
May 14, 2023
Meet the Permanent Representative of China to the International Organizations in Vienna
Li Song, China's permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Li Song, the permanent representative of the People's Republic of China to the International Organizations in Vienna.
May 11, 2023
Political Support for Southern Hydrogen Corridor: Austria, Germany, and Italy Sign Joint Letter
The Southern Hydrogen Corridor, developed by major European transmission system operators, aims to connect North Africa, Italy, Austria, and Germany to supply important European demand clusters with competitive renewable hydrogen.
May 10, 2023
Austrian and Costa Rican Foreign Ministers Celebrate 150 Years of Diplomatic Relations
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Dr. Arnoldo André, met with his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg, to discuss a broad agenda of bilateral and multilateral issues in the context of the celebration of 150 years of diplomatic relations between both countries.
May 9, 2023
Ukrainian Human Rights Lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk Delivers Speech to Europe at Wiener Festwochen 2023
The Wiener Festwochen program begins with the Speech to Europe 2023, featuring Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian human rights lawyer and the head of the Center for Civil Liberties, the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
May 9, 2023
ICMPD Files Lawsuit Against NGO to Correct False Allegations
The conflict between the Viennese NGO SOS Balkan Route and the international organization International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) over the construction of a deportation center including a prison in the Bosnian refugee camp Lipa has a legal aftermath. ICMPD wants to correct the accusations that have made the rounds in the Austrian media.
May 9, 2023
Commemoration of Victory in Europe Day and Liberation Day in Austria
The government commemorated the liberation from National Socialism in a ceremony. The diplomatic community in Vienna also commemorated the end of the Second World War and the Liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp.
May 8, 2023
EU Commissioner Hahn Says Only a United Europe Can Succeed in a Globalized World
On the occasion of Europe Day on May 9th, the European Commission recently organized a ceremony under the motto "Europe - Together for Democracy, Peace and Sovereignty" at the Austrian Parliament. EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of Europe's global political capacity for its future success.
May 5, 2023
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and Austrian Counterpart Emphasize Close Relations and Cooperation Potential
Greece's Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias visited his Austrian counterpart for working talks in Vienna. Overall, the meeting between Greece and Austria showcased their strong cooperation and commitment to international law and cooperation in various fields.
May 5, 2023
Austria's Foreign Disaster Fund is Increased
Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg have praised the increase of the Foreign Disaster Fund (AKF) to 77.5 million euros in 2023 before the Council of Ministers.
May 4, 2023
OSCE Experts Present Findings on Child Abductions in Ukraine to Permanent Council
A recent report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) demonstrates that practices that violate international humanitarian law have been used in the abduction of Ukrainian children to areas controlled by Russia, or even as far away as Russia itself. OSCE experts were tasked to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible violations of OSCE commitments and possible cases of war crimes.
May 4, 2023
OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration: Promoting Peaceful Dispute Resolution
The OSCE Court of Arbitration is an important institution within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and recently the President and Vice-President of the OSCE Court met with the leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to further strengthen it. But what is the OSCE Court of Arbitration and why is it important?
May 3, 2023
Trilateral Meeting Discussed Energy Transition and Energy Innovation
A trilateral conference was held at the Technical University of Vienna, where Italian, French, and Austrian energy actors discussed the topics of energy innovation and the energy transition. The discussion panels included topics such as the role of gas and nuclear power in European decarbonization, the importance of renewable energy sources, and the potential of solar energy in Europe.
May 3, 2023
Turkish Community in Vienna Criticizes Türkiye's Media Freedom on International Press Freedom Day
As the world marks International Press Freedom Day on May 3, Austria's media landscape faces a serious threat to its diversity, despite slight improvements in the Press Freedom Index. Meanwhile, Türkiye's media freedom is in a dire state, with journalists and opposition voices facing increasing pressure and imprisonment under Erdogan's AKP government, according to the Turkish Cultural Community in Austria (TKG).
May 3, 2023
New Deputy Director at the Austrian Centre for Peace
Eva Huber has recently been appointed as the new deputy director of the Austrian Centre for Peace (ACP), succeeding Lukas Wank, who has left the institute to pursue new endeavors. The appointment of Huber to the ACP is a noteworthy development in the organization's ongoing efforts to promote peace, justice, and human rights worldwide.
May 3, 2023
Austrian President Van der Bellen Welcomes Slovenia's First Female President on Inaugural Visit
The new Slovenian President, Nataša Pirc Musar, paid her inaugural visit to Vienna, where she was welcomed by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen with military honors. "It is an honor to receive today in Vienna the first female head of state of Slovenia," Van der Bellen said.
May 2, 2023
Experience the World through Lenses: Ethnocineca 2023 International Documentary Film Festival Vienna
The Ethnocineca International Documentary Film Festival will again present 48 feature-length and short films from 41 countries, including 35 Austrian premieres and one world premiere, from May 4-11, 2023.
May 2, 2023
German-Speaking Foreign Ministers Discuss International Trouble Spots in Salzburg
The German-speaking Foreign Ministers Alexander Schallenberg from Austria, Annalena Baerbock from Germany, Dominique Hasler from Liechtenstein, Jean Asselborn from Luxembourg, and Ignazio Cassis from Switzerland met to discuss global and European challenges.
May 2, 2023
City Administrations in Focus: Vienna Conference on Human Resources
Demographic development, inflation, and international crises have an impact on all areas of our lives and bring new challenges for cities. Particularly in the area of human resources, cities must adapt to changing conditions and find new ways to attract and retain qualified personnel.
May 2, 2023
Space Diplomacy: International Space Partnership Funding by the UK Space Agency
In support of international partnerships, the UK Space Agency is launching a £20 million fund to leverage the UK's strengths, support new capabilities, and catalyze investment.
April 26, 2023
Trilateral Working Meeting Between Foreign Ministers of Slovenia, Croatia and Austria
Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met his counterpart from Croatia Gordan Radman and his counterpart from Slovenia Tanja Fajon in Rijeka, Croatia, for a trilateral working meeting. The talks focused on the economic interdependence of the three countries and good neighborly relations, but Schallenberg blocked Slovenian wishes to open borders.
April 26, 2023
Austria Foreign Minister Schallenberg Travelled to Luxembourg for EU Meeting
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg traveled to Luxembourg for the Foreign Affairs Council. The meeting of EU foreign ministers focused on the fierce fighting in Sudan, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and its global impact, and the situation in Iran.
April 25, 2023
Tax Burden in Austria Still High According to OECD
According to a study conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), taxes and duties for Austrian employees continue to be high in international comparison.
April 25, 2023
Austrian Armed Forces in Global NATO Cyber Drill "Locked Shields 23"
This year, an Austrian team is once again taking part in NATO's largest military cyber defense exercise. The specialists will practice protecting information and communication technology systems and critical infrastructures against cyber attacks.
April 24, 2023
Austria May Step In to Chair the OSCE According to the Media
Russia has been opposing Estonia's leadership of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2024 for months. Citing diplomatic circles, it was reported that the Austrian Foreign Ministry (BMEIA) was considering stepping in for the rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Vienna.
April 24, 2023
New Austrian Award for Champions of Regional Cooperation
In recognition of Erhard Busek's tireless commitment to bringing the countries of Eastern and Southeastern Europe closer to the European Union, the Austrian Foreign Ministry, together with the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the successor organization to the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe headed by Erhard Busek from 2002 to 2008, is offering the Champion of Regional Integration Erhard Busek Award.
April 23, 2023
Secretary General of the Council of Europe Pejčinović Burić visiting Vienna
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić met the Austrian President and key ministers and personalities during an official visit to Austria. Among others, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg received the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić for a working meeting in Vienna.
April 23, 2023
Meet the New Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations in Vienna
Pablo Berti Oliva, Cuba's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador, Pablo Berti Oliva, the new permanent representative of the Republic of Cuba to the International Organizations in Vienna and Ambassador to Austria.
April 19, 2023
French Order Awarded to Austrian General Robert Brieger
French Ambassador to Austria Gilles Pécout awarded Austria's General and Chairman of the European Union Military Committee Robert Brieger the Commander's Badge of the French Legion of Honor on behalf of the French President at a ceremony Tuesday at the French Embassy in Vienna.
April 18, 2023
Polish President Says that We Should Not Be Afraid of Russia
Polish President Andrzej Duda met with Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in Vienna. There he assured further military support for Ukraine
April 18, 2023
Austria's Chancellery Has New Presidential Head
The Federal Chancellery has a new presidential head. Andreas Grad replaces Bernd Brünner as Secretary General in the Chancellor's Office.
April 18, 2023
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