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

Austria's UN Ambassador Questions Whether the System of Veto Powers Is Still Capable of Governing Relationships

At an emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly, Austrian Ambassador to the UN, Alexander Marschik, questioned whether the veto power provided to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council undermines its ability to uphold international law. Read more of what the ambassador said regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

March 1, 2022

Attack on Ukraine: Austria Extends Aid from Foreign Disaster Fund to a Total of 17.5 Million Euros

The Austrian government has approved another 15 million euros in humanitarian aid for Ukraine from the Foreign Disaster Fund. Read about how the money will be allocated and the daunting projections that suggest Ukraine will almost certainly need more foreign aid.

March 1, 2022

Belarusian Dictator Lukashenko May Rule Until 2035

Almost unnoticed in the background of the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has had expanded power confirmed in a referendum. The constitutional amendment is intended to allow him additional terms in office and guarantee him lifelong immunity from prosecution after a possible retirement from politics.

March 1, 2022

IAEA Warns of Nuclear Accidents During Ukraine Invasion

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), four nuclear facilities of the country have already been affected by the Russian attacks in Ukraine. Read what the incidents are and what the current status of the damage is.

March 1, 2022

Russo-Ukrainian War: Enhancement of Austria's Humanitarian and Logistical Assistance to Ukraine

The conclusion of the meeting of the Austrian National Security Council on the current situation in Ukraine is to prepare Austria in the best possible way for any consequences of the nuclear threat.

February 28, 2022

Russia's Sberbank with European Headquarters in Vienna under Pressure

The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has announced a moratorium on Sberbank Europe AG, a European subsidiary of the Russian state-owned Sberbank. Read what this means for Sberbank Europe and its customers.

February 28, 2022

Dalí and Freud at the Belvedere - An Obsession

Salvador Dalí and Sigmund Freud: one man's art, another man's theories. The theories of Freud clearly fascinated Dalí, perhaps to the point of obsession – his greatest desire was to someday meet his idol. With this exhibition the Lower Belvedere celebrates its reopening.

February 28, 2022

Russo-Ukrainian War: First Effects of Western Sanctions on Russian Economy

The Russian economy is already beginning to feel the effects of the Western sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine. Read what effects the sanctions are having on the economy.

February 28, 2022

Russo-Ukrainian War: Already 100,000 People on the Run, but Austria's Interior Ministry Expects No Large Movement of Ukrainians to Austria

Although already one day after the Russian attack on Ukraine, according to UN figures, more than 100,000 people out of the 44 million population are on the run, the "migration experts" of the Austrian Interior Ministry do not assume that there will be a large movement of Ukrainian citizens to Austria. On the other hand, most EU countries are preparing for more refugees.

February 26, 2022

Austria Before the OSCE Council: "War Is Raging on the European Continent"

Foreign Minister Schallenberg addressed the OSCE Council and made an urgent appeal for Russia to halt its war on Ukraine and return to the negotiating table. Read what Schallenberg said about the intensifying conflict in Ukraine.

February 25, 2022

Russo-Ukrainian War: Austria Sticks to its Role as Bridge Builder

As the fighting between Russia and Ukraine is intensifying, Austria remains committed to trying to build bridges and encouraging dialogue between the two sides. Read about Chancellor Nehammer's intense phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his discussion about the conflict with Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder.

February 25, 2022

Putin's People in Austria and Beyond

Following Putin's invasion of eastern Ukraine with the aim of regaining former Soviet territory, two former European prime ministers from Italy and Finland have already resigned from the supervisory boards of two Russian companies. However, some Austrian and German politicians see no reason to resign their mandates. In the following some explanations why.

February 25, 2022 · Updated: February 25, 2022; 11:23

Ukrainian President to Austria's Chancellor: "Don't know how long Ukraine will exist"

The situation in Ukraine is highly dramatic, Austria's Chancellor Nehammer reported from a telephone conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The latter had requested to stand by his country, which was under attack by Russia.

February 25, 2022

Ukraine Assistance: Vienna Sends Trucks with Medical Supplies to Kiev and Odessa

Responding to the Russian invasion, the Vienna City Government has sent about 15 tons of medical or relief material to Ukraine.

February 24, 2022

Meet the New Resident Representative of Indonesia to the International Organizations in Vienna, HE Dr. Damos Dumoli Agusman

The new Permanent Representative of Indonesia to the International Organizations in Vienna is Mr. Damos Dumoli Agusman. Learn more about Ambassador Agusman.

February 23, 2022

Meet the New Resident Representative of Romania to the International Organizations in Vienna, HE Mr. Stelian Stoian

The new Permanent Representative of Romania to the International Organizations in Vienna, Mr. Stelian Stoian, recently presented his credentials to the heads of the various organizations. Learn more about Mr. Stoian.

February 23, 2022

Continued Strong Interdependence of Business between Russian, Ukrainian and Austrian Companies

Austrian businesses have established significant ties with those in Ukraine and Russia over the years. Read about the amount of business Austria does with each country and how the recent escalation of tensions could affect this.

February 23, 2022

OSCE Representative Calls on President Zelensky to Drop Sanctions Against Media in Ukraine

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro reiterated her concern regarding Ukraine’s practice of applying sanctions against media outlets.

February 23, 2022

Russian Ambassador in Vienna Lyubinsky Summoned to the Foreign Ministry

Following the recognition of Donetsk and Lugans and due to the escalation of the situation in Ukraine, the Russian Ambassador in Vienna, Dmitry Lyubinsky, has been summoned to the Austrian Foreign Ministry.

February 22, 2022

Federal President: "Blatant violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity"

Austria's Federal President Van der Bellen condemns Putin's recognition of the eastern Ukrainian separatist areas of Luhansk and Donetsk and his order to invade eastern Ukraine.

February 22, 2022

Austria's Reaction to Putin's Disrespect for the Territorial Integrity and Sovereignty of Eastern Ukraine

Following President Putin's decision to recognize the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk in the Donbas region of Ukraine and to send "peacekeeping troops" to these areas, the Austrian government's Crisis Cabinet met to discuss how to respond. Read what Chancellor Nehammer said about the act of Russian aggression and what Austria will do.

February 22, 2022

Sony DADC Austria AG Tightens Production Program

The decline in the production program of optical storage media (CDs and DVDs) forces Sony DADC Austria to terminate and redeploy towards BioSciences and digital services.

February 22, 2022

Indian Edtech Giant Byju's Acquires Austrian Math App GeoGebra in €100 Million Deal

India's most valuable startup Byju's is buying Linz-based Geogebra, it has now been announced. Neither company disclosed the purchase price, but insiders say the deal is worth about 100 million euros and includes both cash and stock.

February 21, 2022

Human Rights in Egypt: Sentence Against Detained Central European University Student Annulled, New Hearing to Begin

The four years in prison sentence against Ahmed Samir Santaway, a student and researcher at CEU Central European University in Vienna, has been overturned, but a retrial in Egypt begins today.

February 21, 2022

Schallenberg Met Baerbock - Shared Responsibility Against the Aggression of the Kremlin

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met with Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Berlin to discuss the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as climate action and the Western Balkans. Read what the two foreign ministers said about these issues.

February 21, 2022

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Austria Dispatches Crisis Team

The Kremlin apparently wants to justify further aggression with provocations in eastern Ukraine. Due to the escalating situation in eastern Ukraine, Austria has sent a crisis team to Ukraine. In addition to specialists from the Cobra task force, the team also includes experts from the foreign and defense ministries.

February 20, 2022

U.S. President Is "Convinced" Putin Has Decided to Invade Ukraine

"As of this moment, I'm convinced he's made the decision. U.S. intelligence agencies had concluded that the Russian leader had made the decision to invade and would proceed accordingly," Biden said.

February 19, 2022

After the African Union Summit: Austria Provides €5 Million in Total to Alleviate Migration Pressure

Following the 6th European Union - African Union Summit, Austria announced that it would provide € 5 million in humanitarian aid to Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Tunisia. Read about Austria's efforts to alleviate some of the migration pressure caused by conflicts in Africa.

February 18, 2022

Russia Sustains Conflict in Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics in Eastern Ukraine

Russian-backed separatists reportedly began shelling an area near the "contact line" in Eastern Ukraine. Read about the recent incident and why Chancellor Nehammer and EU High Representative Josep Borrell are "very worried."

February 18, 2022

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Neutral Switzerland and Austria Back De-escalation

Swiss President Ignazio Cassis and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer discussed the Ukraine crisis at a meeting in Zofingen, Switzerland. Read what they said about the ongoing conflict.

February 17, 2022

Austria to Poland: "No compromise on the rule of law"

EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler made Austria's position on the rule of law dispute between the EU and Poland very clear in a meeting with her Polish counterpart. Read what Edtstadler said about Austria's support for the rule of law in the EU.

February 17, 2022

What Are the Minsk Agreements and Can They Help De-escalate the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Some leaders have suggested that the Minsk Agreements could provide a path to a diplomatic solution to the current tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Read more about the Minsk Agreements and if they really do provide a viable solution to the Ukraine crisis.

February 16, 2022

EU - African Union Summit as Driver for Strengthened Economic Partnership between African Countries and Austria

Austria plans to use the upcoming European Union - African Union Summit as a means to strengthen the economic partnership between African countries and Austria. Read more about Austria's plans for strengthening cooperation with Africa.

February 15, 2022

Viennese Museum Returns Looted Colonial Artifacts to the USA

The Natural History Museum in Vienna is returning looted items from the colonial era to the United States. Read more about the two artifacts and why they are being returned.

February 14, 2022

Disinformation and Propaganda: How Russia Reverses Reports of International Media

The Russian Foreign Ministry has claimed that Western media is spreading disinformation to unfairly paint Russia as an aggressor towards Ukraine. Read how Russia manipulates Western media sources to create its own narrative.

February 14, 2022

Ukraine Crisis: OSCE Special Monitoring Mission Obstructed in Ukraine

The United States and European Union have expressed concern that the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine continues to face restrictions to its freedom of movement in Ukraine. Read about the latest impediment to the SMM's monitoring ability and what the US and EU said about it.

February 11, 2022

Head of UN Women Discusses Deteriorating Situation Under Oppressive Taliban Rule

UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous discussed the distressing situation for women in Afghanistan under the Taliban with the Austrian Minister for Women Susanne Raab. Read more about their conversation.

February 11, 2022

Ukraine Crisis: Potential Impact of Russian Invasion on Ukrainian, Russian and EU Economies

The solution of the Russian aggression and violation of rights towards Ukraine, is of central importance for the world we want to live in. The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW) conducted a study on the potential economic impacts of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. Read their prediction for how an invasion would affect the economies of the EU, Russia, and Ukraine.

February 8, 2022 · Updated: February 11, 2022; 08:35

ICPDR: Contracting Parties Renew Commitment to Protect the Danube

The contracting parties to the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the Danube River Basin at a Ministerial Meeting in Vienna. Read about the Management Plans adopted by the Commission and what this means for the Danube.

February 10, 2022

Putin's Propaganda TV-Channel Tries to Expand to Austria

An attempt to supply an Austrian target group with German-language propaganda from Berlin will apparently fall victim to the media war between the two state broadcasters Russia Today (RT) in Berlin and Deutsche Welle (DW) in Moscow.

February 9, 2022

EXPO 2020 Dubai: Extraordinary Austria Pavilion Wins Multiple Awards

The Austria Pavilion at EXPO 2020 Dubai has now won yet another award. Read about the multiple awards the pavilion has won and why it is receiving so much recognition.

February 8, 2022

Austrian Foreign Minister on Ukraine: "As a neutral state, we are still not neutral when it comes to violence"

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg is visiting Ukraine together with his Czech counterpart Jan Lipavský and his Slovakian counterpart Ivan Korčok.

February 7, 2022

Iran Nuclear Talks: Negotiations in Vienna Continue

The 8th round of negotiations in the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) will resume.

February 7, 2022

IAEA to Assess Safety of Japan Dumping Fukushima's Radioactive Cooling Water into Sea

A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will go to Japan to conduct a review of the safety of the Japanese government's decision to dump radioactive cooling water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean. Read about the review and who opposes Japan's decision.

February 7, 2022

President Macron Meets with EU Interior Ministers to Discuss Asylum and Immigration

French President Emmanuel Macron met with Interior Minister Karner and his EU counterparts to discuss asylum and immigration and other priorities of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Read what the French president said and what was agreed upon at the meeting of the EU interior ministers.

February 7, 2022

Blinken Lifts Sanctions on Iran's Civilian Nuclear Program to Advance Vienna Negotiations

The U.S. has lifted sanctions reimposed by Trump on Iran's civilian nuclear program as part of negotiations in Vienna.

February 6, 2022

Belarus Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary at OSCE While Number of Political Prisoners at Home Has Now Reached 1000

As the Republic of Belarus celebrates its 30th anniversary at the OSCE in Vienna, the number of political prisoners in Belarus has now reached 1000. Although Belarus claims to be a long-standing, active, and committed member, the European Commission's External Action Service notes that Belarus "must adhere to its international commitments and obligations within the OSCE". Meanwhile, it became known that a troop deployment of 30,000 Russian soldiers to Belarus has also taken place.

February 4, 2022

Lunar New Year 2022: Austria's Chinese Community Welcomes the Year of the Tiger

People around the world recently celebrated the ushering in of the Year of the Tiger. Read more about the Lunar New Year, one of the most important Chinese holidays.

February 3, 2022

Austria Promises Legal Action After EU Commission's Nuclear Energy Decision

Austria has vowed to take legal action against the European Commission after it decided to include nuclear energy and natural gas as sustainable investments under the EU Taxonomy Regulation. Read what the Austrian president, chancellor, and climate minister said about this decision.

February 3, 2022

French Ambassador to Austria: Positions on Migration, EU-Balkan Enlargement and Nuclear Energy Incompatible

Ambassador Gilles Pécout presented France's Presidency program to the EU Committee of the Austrian Federal Council (Bundesrat). Pécout also mentioned challenges of the French Council Presidency, especially in points where Austria has a different position. The tensions between France and Austria regarding the different positions on nuclear energy, migration and EU enlargement are respected but currently remain unresolved.

February 3, 2022