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
Meet the New Ambassadors of Brazil, Germany, Tanzania and Rwanda to Austria
The new Ambassadors of the Federative Republic of Brazil (H.E. Mr. Nelson Antonio Tabajara de Oliveira), Federal Republic of Germany (H.E. Mr. Michael Josef Hermann Klor – Berchtold), United Republic of Tanzania (H.E. Mr. Celestine Joseph Mushy) and Republic of Rwanda (H.E. Mr. Marie Chantal Rwakazina) to Austria presented their credentials to President Van der Bellen. Learn more about these new ambassadors.
May 9, 2022
Why May 9 Is Important For Russia: Putin Tries to Justify War in Ukraine
Russia today celebrates the Day of Victory over Fascism. For Russia, this holiday is a national sanctuary, for Putin's Russia the most important day for propaganda. Read more about May 9 and its importance for Russia?
May 9, 2022
Iran Nuclear Talks: EU Tries To Revive the Negotiations
European officials are trying to save the Iran nuclear deal. To find a solution to the months-long standoff between Tehran and Washington, EU coordinator Enrique Mora is scheduled to visit Tehran. Read about the newest developments in Iran and the JCPOA.
May 8, 2022
Will Russia Hold Referendums in Eastern Ukraine or Step Up Its War Effort
The war in Ukraine is raging and the Ukrainians are defending themselves against the more powerful Russian forces, which, however, have faltered. The question that arises is what strategy Russia will now adopt. There are signs of referendums in eastern Ukraine and of stepping up the Russian war effort.
May 5, 2022
Protection of the European Single Market: European Commission Wants to Control Third-Country Subsidies
The European Commission has presented a new proposal to combat competition-distorting subsidies from third countries. The background for the proposal is the increasing global imbalance between companies from the EU and those from third countries. This is primarily to counter the influence of China and Chinese companies in Europe.
May 5, 2022
How Austrians Rate EU Membership
The European Commission and the Austrian Society for European Politics have sounded out the mood across Austria in the course of their EU Future Tour.
May 4, 2022
Number of Hungry People Further Increased in 2021
The number of people going hungry worldwide continued to rise in 2021. Several factors contributed to the increase, including conflicts, economic crises, and weather extremes, according to a report released today by the Network Against Food Crises.
May 4, 2022
Austrian Foreign Ministry Opens Regional Forum On Minority Issues
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Minorities, the Secretary-General Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the UN Special Rapporteur in charge, Fernand de Varennes, organized the Regional Forum on Minority Issues in Europe and Central Asia.
May 3, 2022
Austria and the Indecision for the Gas Embargo
The war in Ukraine has been raging for two months. To stop Russia, a great many countries have imposed tough sanctions on Russia. Many European countries and the U.S.A. want to impose a gas embargo on Russia. Austria is still very cautious about this step.
May 3, 2022
Austria's Muslim Community Celebrates End of Ramadan
Every year, the Muslim community of Vienna and worldwide celebrates the holy End of Ramadan. Ramadan has ended and now Eid al-Fitr is celebrated.
May 2, 2022
Russia Hides Its Operations in Ukraine From the OSCE
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine will be suspended, due to the lack of consensus at the OSCE Permanent Council on 31 March 2022 to extend the Mission’s mandate. In the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, Russia torpedoed the OSCE and wants as little international attention as possible on its military operations in Ukraine.
May 2, 2022
Austrian Efforts to Support Ukrainian Refugees
Austria is assuring support for Ukrainian refugees. Austria takes care legally, financially and in humanitarian terms that Ukrainian refugees feel welcome in Austria. Read more about Austria's efforts to support Ukrainian refugees in Austria.
May 1, 2022
Meet the New Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Portugal to the International Organizations in Vienna
Miguel Maria Simões Coelho de Almeida e Sousa, Portugal's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Miguel Maria Simões Coelho de Almeida e Sousa, the new permanent representative of Portugal to the International Organizations in Vienna.
April 29, 2022
How the European Union Is Providing Humanitarian Help to Ukraine
In Ukraine, the war has been raging for about two months now. The situation for people in Ukraine is miserable and the constant fighting makes normal life impossible. The European Union also provides humanitarian support to Ukraine. Read more about the EU's humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
April 28, 2022
Meet the New Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Peru to the International Organizations in Vienna
Luis Alberto Campana Boluarte, Brazil's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Ambassador Boluarte is an experienced diplomat. Meet Ambassador Boluarte, the new permanent representative of Brazil to the International Organizations in Vienna.
April 28, 2022
Austria Professes to be the Official Seat of Many International Organizations
The Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs, Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, today welcomed the more than 80 Permanent Representatives to International Organizations in Vienna for an exchange at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Austria's official residence. The meeting resumes a regular dialogue format that helps strengthen Vienna as a center for diplomacy.
April 27, 2022
Meet the New Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Brazil to the International Organizations in Vienna
Nelson Antonio Tabajara de Oliveira, Brazil's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Ambassador Tabajara de Oliveira is an experienced diplomat. Meet Ambassador Tabajara de Oliveira, the new permanent representative of Brazil to the International Organizations in Vienna.
April 27, 2022
IAEA’s First International Conference on Nuclear Law
The IAEA currently hosts the world's top experts on nuclear law to examine the current nuclear law framework in the changing landscape of technology, opportunities, and challenges. Read more about the importance of the First International Conference on Nuclear Law.
April 26, 2022
Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Travels to the Middle East
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg traveled to Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Autonomous Territories to hold Working meetings. The Russian invasion of Ukraine shakes the world. Austria shows itself as a mediator also in regions that are endangered but have moved into the background of attention.
April 26, 2022
Humanitarian Crisis in Mariupol: UN Calls for Immediate Cessation of Fighting
The humanitarian catastrophe in Mariupol continues to escalate, and more and more trapped civilians are fighting for their survival. Now, several UN-Organizations are calling on the Russian war leadership to establish humanitarian escape corridors and to cease hostilities immediately.
April 26, 2022
Impact of the Ukraine War: Sobotka Meets Swiss National Council President Irène Kälin
During a visit to Switzerland, the Swiss President of the National Council Irène Kälin received Austria's National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka to discuss the situation in the Ukraine war and its consequences. Both condemned the Russian actions and promised to help each other through this difficult situation. Read on if you want to learn more about the conversation.
April 26, 2022
Women Refugees From Ukraine Particularly At Risk
The war in Ukraine is already in its ninth week. The Russian invasion caused many people to leave the country, especially women and children. These groups are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by criminal structures and others with malicious intentions.
April 25, 2022
Russian Proxies Have Detained OSCE Officials in Donetsk and Luhansk
OSCE special monitoring mission members have been arrested and detained in Donetsk and Luhansk. The OSCE calls for the immediate release of detained OSCE officials.
April 25, 2022
Ukraine: IOM and the Austrian Ministry of the Interior Launch Joint Project for War-Displaced Persons
A joint project of the International Organization for Migration and the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, aims to help Ukrainian protection seekers with numerous assistance offers. The project will run with 400,000 euros until the end of August and can be extended if necessary.
April 25, 2022
How the Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis Affects Life in Vienna
The humanitarian crisis created by Russia's brutal war in Ukraine can now be felt in Vienna. Read how the crisis is affecting life in Vienna.
April 25, 2022
IAEA on the Current Status of Ukraine's Nuclear Security
The Russian aggression on Ukraine threatens Ukraine's nuclear security. A watchful IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely and expressed concern.
April 22, 2022
IAEA Director-General Chief Grossi Will Lead Assistance Mission to Ukraine’s Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine threatens the country's nuclear security. The country has many nuclear power plants and Russian troops were entrenched in Chernobyl until a few weeks ago. To maintain nuclear safety efforts at Chernobyl, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director-General of the IAEA, will lead an assistance mission to Ukraine’s Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
April 22, 2022
UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Urged the Security Council to Stop the War in Ukraine
The UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly T. Clements called on the United Nations Security Council to put aside its differences and find a solution to end the war in Ukraine. There have already been 5 million people who have fled Ukraine, and there are another 7 million internally displaced.
April 21, 2022
1,350 Ukrainian Displaced Persons Could be Accommodated by Private Apartments in Vienna
The residents of the city of Vienna already provided over 1,100 housing donations for Ukrainian aid seekers who had to flee from the war crimes committed by the Russian invaders. Thus, about 94% of Ukrainians could be accommodated in private shelters and facilitate the situation for public quarters.
April 21, 2022
Special Representatives of OSCE Chairman-in-Office Visit Council of Europe
Personal Representatives of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office for tolerance issues visited the Council of Europe. During this visit, meetings were held about Human Rights, Equality and Non-Discrimination. During the meetings, the representatives urged Russia to stop its invasion of Ukraine.
April 21, 2022
EU Subcommittee of the Austrian Parliament Discussed on Future EU Economic Policies
The EU Subcommittee of the Austrian Parliament discussed future EU economic policy. The topics of artificial intelligence, digitalization, EU trade policy, the update of the EU industrial strategy of 2020 and the modernization of competition law.
April 20, 2022
OSCE Media Freedom Representative, Teresa Ribeiro, Condemns Arrests of Media Workers in Russia
The OSCE Media Freedom Representative denounces the latest arrests of journalists in Russia and calls on Russian authorities to repeal restrictive laws.
April 15, 2022
Production of ID Cards for Displaced Ukrainians - 40,000 Copies Already Manufactured
The production of the ID card for displaced persons, continues to progress. So far, 40,000 cards have been produced for the 56,000 registered Ukrainian aid seekers and 30,000 have already been issued. This document is enormously important for war refugees in Austria, as it allows, among other things, access to the Austrian labor market, or internal travel within the EU.
April 14, 2022
Ukrainian Ambassador Khymynets Thanks Austrian Communities for Hosting Refugees
Ukrainian Ambassador Khymynets thanked Austrian communities for hosting refugees from Ukraine. Close cooperation between Austrian and Ukrainian communities is planned.
April 14, 2022
IAEA Supports Radiation Protection in Medical Procedures
The IAEA supports efforts and is raising awareness of radiation protection in medical procedures. The benefits of nuclear technology enable great technological advances.
April 13, 2022
U.S. and UK Sanction Individuals in the Balkans
The Balkan states are plagued by corruption, which only fosters an unstable situation. The Balkans are important for the stability of Europe and especially in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Balkans remain important for the West. That is why the U.S. and UK have sanctioned individuals.
April 13, 2022
OSCE Publishes Report on Russian War Crimes in Ukraine
The OSCE recently presented a report in Vienna on the documentation of war crimes in Ukraine. A delegation of the OSCE saw "clear signs" of violations of international humanitarian law by the Russian aggressor. Detailed elaborations on individual events had not been possible, but some cases of human rights violations could be proven.
April 13, 2022
OSCE Troika Expressed Strong Support to Ukraine and Urges Russia to Stop its Invasion
Numerous states and organizations condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine. The OSCE Troika met with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister and calls on Russia to halt its military aggression against Ukraine.
April 12, 2022
International Day of Human Space Flight: The Importance of Space
Today is the International Day of Human Space Flight. This day celebrates each year the beginning of the space era for mankind. Space travel and space could help humanity tame the challenges ahead. Read more about this day.
April 12, 2022
EU Commissioner For Energy in Vienna
The Russian invasion of Ukraine shook global energy markets. The EU Energy Commissioner is in Vienna on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the EU's energy outreach in the context of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.
April 11, 2022
Russian Aggression Against Ukraine Provides Opportunity Against Climate Change
The Russian Invasion of Ukraine has challenged many old structures globally. One of those structures is the energy infrastructure of Europe. The Russian Aggression has put Europe in an energy crisis. This crisis could give momentum to combat climate change.
April 11, 2022
Vienna Presents Itself as a Bridge Builder: Austrian Chancellor to Meet Putin in Moscow
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer will meet Russian President Putin in Moscow for talks. It will be the first meeting of an EU head of government with Putin since the beginning of the war. After the recent expulsion of four Russian diplomats and in view of the current stalemate a daring but diplomatically sensible step.
April 10, 2022
IAEA on the Status of Ukraine's Nuclear Safety
The war in Ukraine threatens the country's nuclear security. Nuclear facilities are becoming the sites of battles with Russian forces. Even as Russian forces reorganize, the IAEA continues to express concern.
April 8, 2022
How the Kremlin Exploits Its Diplomatic Missions in Vienna to Spread Russian Propaganda
Since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has used its diplomatic missions in Vienna and around the world to help spread propaganda and disinformation about the war. Read about this propaganda effort and view some blatant examples of Russian propaganda from the diplomatic missions.
April 6, 2022 · Updated: April 8, 2022; 15:46
Serbian Elections and the Impact on Serbia's Relations to Europe
Serbia has voted and President Vucic remains in power. His party will probably again form the coalition government as the leading party. In the wake of the current war in Ukraine, some wonder if Serbia's path will change after the elections. Read more about the elections and the political situation in Serbia.
April 7, 2022
G7 and OSCE Condemn Russian Aggression Against Ukraine
Since the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, many countries are enraged by Putin's actions. The Russian Aggression against Ukraine is ravaging the country. The G7 members strongly condemn Russia's actions. The OSCE expressed its concerns on many issues too.
April 7, 2022
Expulsion: Austria Declares Four Russian Diplomats as "Personae Non Gratae"
Now Austria is joining the trend of European sanctions against Russian diplomats, expelling three members of the Russian Embassy in Vienna and one member of the Russian Consulate General in Salzburg.
April 7, 2022
State Visit of the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins to Austria
The Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen received the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, for an official visit to Austria. The main topics of discussion are the Russian aggression in Ukraine and European security policy.
April 6, 2022
Europe's Energy Dilemma Requiring Austria and Germany to Rethink in Wake of Russian Aggression
Due to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Europe has to face new questions about energy policy, which had been known for many years but were largely ignored and deferred. The much-discussed gas embargo in recent weeks is to further intensify the sanctions against Russia and its economy. Read more about the current situation.
April 6, 2022
Russian Ambassador in Vienna Denies Massacre and Reaffirms Kremlin Propaganda
The Russian Ambassador to Austria, Dmitry Lyubinsky (57), has attracted attention in connection with allegations and statements regarding war crimes in Ukraine that are in abrupt contradiction to the realities as currently captured by the "Western" side. Among other things, His Excellency claimed that "Ukrainians are blowing up their own hospitals." Following the, within a few weeks, fourth summons to the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador only let it be known that "for my part, I have categorically rejected all unfounded accusations against the actions of the Russian armed forces and especially against the Russian government."
April 5, 2022
