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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
Schallenberg at UN Climate Conference: "We can only overcome a global crisis together"
Chancellor Schallenberg recently spoke at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. The Austrian chancellor stressed the need for international cooperation to fight climate change. Read some of Austria's climate goals, what steps it is taking to achieve these, and what the chancellor said still needs to be done.
November 2, 2021
Austria Deepening Relationship with Gulf States: Foreign Minister Linhart in Qatar
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdul Aziz Al-Thani and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani recently met with Foreign Minister Linhart in Doha, Qatar. The leaders discussed various issues, including the strengthening of ties between Qatar and Austria. Linhart also met with Qatari business leaders as part of the ReFocus Austria initiative. Read about Linhart's trip to Qatar.
October 29, 2021
African Union and European Union to Strengthen Cooperation on COVID-19
Representatives of the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), including Austrian Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, recently met in Kigali, Rwanda. The COVID-19 pandemic, especially unequal vaccine distribution, was a central topic of discussion. Read more about the meeting and the effort to increase vaccine access around the globe.
October 29, 2021
Strategic Partnership with United Arab Emirates in the Pipeline
On a trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Austrian National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka expressed support for a strategic partnership between the two countries. Read about this new partnership that is currently in the works.
October 28, 2021
Tourists Return to Vienna
Vienna saw a notable increase in overnight stays in September compared to September of last year. This is a positive sign for the tourism industry in Austria, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read about the changes in tourism levels in the Austrian capital.
October 28, 2021
ÖBB Austrian Railways to Improve and Expand Local and Long-Distance Travel Services in 2022
Starting on December 12, 2021, ÖBB - Austrian Federal Railways will change its annual timetable, which will bring a number of improvements and expansions to local and long-distance services for the rail year 2022. In total, ÖBB Austrian Railways is investing over 4.1 billion euros in modern trains by 2027. Find out about international and domestic connection extensions.
October 26, 2021
Vienna Hosts "Central 5" Foreign Ministers
The foreign ministers of Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Austria, which make up the informal "Central 5" (C5) forum, recently met at the Albertina in Vienna. Read about the meeting, what Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Linhart said, and watch the full joint press conference.
October 26, 2021
Official State Visit of the King of Jordan to Austria
King Abdullah II of Jordan recently met with President Van der Bellen in Vienna. The two leaders discussed various issues, including climate change. Read more about King Abdullah's official visit to Austria.
October 26, 2021
Loss for Vienna: Relocation of Saudi Center to Lisbon Finalized
The controversial KAICIID (King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue), which is largely financed by Saudi Arabia and is currently based in Vienna, will relocate to Lisbon.
October 25, 2021
Austria Opposes Further Expansion of Hungarian Nuclear Power Plant Paks II
All five Austrian parliamentary parties are opposed to the expansion of the Paks II Nuclear Power Plant in Hungary due to serious safety concerns. The Environment Committee in parliament has unanimously called on the government to take all possible actions to oppose its construction. Read why Austria considers the power plant's expansion dangerous.
October 25, 2021
Jean-Claude Juncker Honored with the Grand Decoration of Honor in Gold in Vienna
Jean-Claude Juncker, the former European Commission President and head of government of Luxembourg, was presented with an award for services to the City of Vienna by Mayor Ludwig. Read what Mr. Juncker, Mayor Ludwig, and former Austrian President Heinz Fischer said at the ceremony.
October 22, 2021
President of the Republic of Moldova on State Visit to Austria
The President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, made her first official visit to Austria and met with President Van der Bellen. Read about the meeting between the two heads of state and what they discussed.
October 22, 2021
Austria's Strategy for the Upcoming European Council Meeting
Ahead of the European Council meeting in Brussels, Austrian Chancellor Schallenberg, EU Minister Edtstadler, and members of parliament laid out Austria's strategy for the meeting. Read their stances on the key issues they plan to raise in Brussels.
October 22, 2021
Call for Solidarity for China Sanctioned States Including Taiwan
A motion for a resolution was filed in the Austrian Parliament calling for the Austrian government to support countries, such as Taiwan, sanctioned by China for supporting democracy, human rights, and other global values. Read about the motion and the reasoning behind it.
October 21, 2021
Colonial Legacy: Restitution of Cultural Assets as Part of Austria's New Africa Strategy
The Austrian Foreign Ministry under Michael Linhart is developing a new Africa strategy for Austria. A motion for a resolution has been filed in parliament that requests that the foreign ministry includes restitution of cultural artifacts and assets as part of this strategy. Read more about the motion.
October 20, 2021
Infineon Opened €1.6 Billion High-tech Chip Factory in Villach
After three years of planning and construction and a € 1.6 billion price tag, Infineon Technologies AG finally opened its new high-tech chip factory in Villach, Austria. Read more about the new factory, the chips produced there, and what Infineon does.
October 20, 2021
Opening of the Memorial Exhibition "80 Years of Deportations Vienna-Riga"
Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig recently opened a new memorial exhibition entitled "80 Years of Deportations Vienna-Riga" at Vienna's central train station. The exhibition is intended to remind the public about the horrors of the Shoah and to commemorate the victims. Learn more about the new exhibition.
October 19, 2021
Foreign Minister Linhart's Inaugural Visit to the EU Foreign Affairs Council
Foreign Minister Linhart recently traveled to Luxembourg for his first meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. In a meeting with the other foreign ministers from the EU, they discussed various issues, including the EU's Eastern Partnership and the war in Ethiopia. Linhart also met with Libyan Foreign Minister Najla El Mangoush during his visit. Read about Linhart's trip and what was discussed in the meetings, and watch Linhart's interview outside the event.
October 19, 2021
The 12th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum Featuring the Arab Republic of Egypt
This year's Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce forum features the Arab Republic of Egypt as the guest country and focuses on energy, railway and tourism, while presenting an insight into Egypt’s economic landscape and development and highlighting lucrative investments the country has to offer.
October 19, 2021
Western Balkans: First Foreign Trip of the New Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Linhart
Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Linhart went on his first trip abroad since becoming the foreign minister. Linhart traveled to the Western Balkan state of Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet with members of the international presence, business leaders, and various politicians, including his Bosnian counterpart Bisera Turković. Read more about his trip.
October 15, 2021
Schallenberg's First Foreign Trip as Austrian Chancellor
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Charles Michel recently met for talks in Brussels with Chancellor Schallenberg on his first foreign trip since being appointed chancellor. Read about the chancellor's trip, his talks with the two leaders, and a Twitter error involving former Chancellor Kurz.
October 15, 2021
Strengthening Economic and Political Relations between Australia and Austria
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Austrian Parliament is discussing a state treaty with Australia, which aims to create better framework conditions for a strengthened partnership and the further expansion of trade and investment flows.
October 15, 2021
President of Georgia, Salomé Zourabichvili, in Austria
The President of Georgia, Salomé Zourabichvili, recently visited Austria and was hosted by President Van der Bellen at the Vienna Hofburg. The two heads of state discussed various issues, including the current political crises in Georgia and Austria. Read about the visit and what the presidents said at their joint press conference.
October 13, 2021
Number of Foreign-Controlled Enterprises in Austria Declines
About 11,700 companies in Austria were owned by foreign groups or had owners based abroad in 2019, down about 200 companies or 1.6% from the previous year. Conversely, Austrian companies owned about 6,000 subsidiaries abroad; this was about 0.2% more than the year before.
October 12, 2021
EU Justice Commissioner Reynders and Justice Minister Zadić Share Concerns Over Rule of Law in Poland
The EU Justice Commissioner, Didier Reynders, was hosted by Austrian Minister of Justice Alma Zadić for a working meeting in Vienna. The two discussed various issues, including their shared concern regarding the rule of law following the Polish Constitutional Court's ruling on the primacy of national law over EU law. Read about their meeting and the increased tensions surrounding the Polish court's decision.
October 12, 2021
Antisemitic Vandalism at Auschwitz-Birkenau Highlights Alarming Trend
One day after an Austrian delegation, including President Van der Bellen, Foreign Minister Schallenberg, and EU Minister Edtstadler spoke at the opening of the new Austrian exhibition at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial, the museum reported antisemitic vandalism at the camp. The shocking incident underscores a larger trend of antisemitism in Europe and around the world. Read more about the incident, the trend of antisemitism, and what is being done to combat it.
October 7, 2021
Embassy Building “Palais Nassau” in Russian Possession for 130 Years
To mark the 130th anniversary of the Russian acquisition of the "Palais Nassau" in Vienna for embassy purposes, Russian Ambassador Dmitrij Ljubinskij presented a special postage stamp and stamp block and ceremoniously stamped them. The ambassador also gave a brief speech on the occasion. Read more about the event and the embassy.
October 7, 2021
Polish-Austrian Relations: Official Visit and Business Forum in Warsaw
Polish President Andrzej Duda hosted Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen in Warsaw for the first official visit of an Austrian President in Poland since 2009. The two had a meeting and held a joint press conference in which they discussed various issues, including Poland's current issues with the EU. Van der Bellen also attended an economic forum and met with other Polish leaders. Read more about the details of the President's visit to Poland.
October 6, 2021
EU Support to Western Balkans as Repulsion against China and Turkey
European heads of state and government that make up the European Council, including Chancellor Kurz, met in Slovenia for informal talks and the Western Balkans Summit. In addition to other issues, the leaders discussed the accession of Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Kosovo to the EU. Read more about what Kurz and the EU said about the enlargement process.
October 6, 2021
Austrian-Japanese Society Hosts the 5th Japanese Film Days in Vienna
After being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Austrian-Japanese Society (ÖJG) will host the fifth "Japannual" Japanese Film Days in Vienna at the Film Casino in Margareten. With over 20 films included this year, the festival brings a broad overview of current film events in Japan to Vienna. Read more about the festival, some of the movies included this year, and how to get tickets.
October 5, 2021
Auschwitz-Birkenau: Austrian Delegation to Visit Largest Mass Murder Site in Human History
At the invitation of the Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Piotr M.A. Cywiński and Austrian National Council President Sobotka, an Austrian delegation including President Van der Bellen and Foreign Minister Schallenberg will attend the opening of the new Austrian national exhibition "Distance - Austria and Auschwitz" in the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum at the former Nazi concentration camp. Read more about the important new exhibition, who will be attending the opening, and the schedule for the rest of the president's trip to Poland.
October 4, 2021
Long Day of Escape: UNHCR Event in Austria on Refuge, Human Rights and Coexistence
Escape, human rights and peaceful coexistence are the focus of the UNHCR event series "Long Day of Escape", which took place for the 10th time this year.
October 1, 2021
ReFocus Austria: Roundtable in New York as First Initiative in the U.S.
On his stay at the 76th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Foreign Minister Schallenberg held a roundtable event with Austrian and U.S. entrepreneurs to exchange ideas. This was the first of the ReFocus Austria initiative events in the U.S. aimed at strengthening the Austrian economy. Read more about ReFocus Austria and what was discussed at this event.
September 30, 2021
World Expo Dubai: Architecture Award for Sustainable Austria-Pavilion
The Austrian pavilion at the World Expo in Dubai by querkraft architekten consisting of 38 white cone towers has won the first prize in the category "Sustainable Architecture" at the Global Design & Architecture Design Awards 2021.
September 29, 2021
Combating Anti-Semitism in Austria: Representatives of US Jewish Organizations Briefed on New Measures
While in New York for the 76th UNGA, Foreign Minister Schallenberg and Chancellor Kurz met with representatives of various Jewish organizations and briefed them on new measures being taken to combat anti-Semitism. Read about their meetings and some of the steps they are taking to address this issue.
September 29, 2021
76th UN General Assembly: Contribution and Results from an Austrian Perspective
Throughout the 76th United Nations General Assembly, some of the main issues that the Austrian delegation focused on were sustainable energy and climate change, COVID-19 and vaccinations, and the situation in Afghanistan. Read about some of the contributions and results of the event from Austria's point of view.
September 29, 2021
OPEC's World Oil Outlook 2021 Launched in Vienna
OPEC's flagship annual publication, the World Oil Outlook 2021, was launched via videoconference in Vienna. OPEC forecasts 6% increase in global oil demand in 2021. Learn about the specific highlights of this year's World Oil Outlook.
September 29, 2021
Forum Österreich-Russland: New Austrian-Russian Friendship Society Founded
Recently the constituent general assembly of a new Russian-Austrian friendship society, the FÖR - Forum Österreich-Russland (Forum Austria-Russia) took place. The association, registered as a non-governmental organization, is headed by Dr. Richard Schenz and Dr. Christoph Matznetter, both former members of the Austrian-Russian Friendship Society (ORFG - Österreichisch-Russische Freundschaftsgesellschaft). The patronage has been taken over by the Ambassador of Russia in Vienna, H.E. Dmitrij Ljubinskij.
September 28, 2021
United Nations Vienna: Newton's Space Sapling Planted
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs was provided with a special apple tree grown from seeds which were taken into space, and the Ambassador of the UK, Corinne Kitsell and UNOOSA Director Simonetta Di Pippo planted the sapling which can be seen by visitors to the Space Exhibition at the VIC.
September 28, 2021
New Permanent Representative of Canada to the International Organizations in Vienna Presents Credentials
The new Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations (Vienna), Troy Lulashnyk, presented his credentials to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi at the Agency headquarters in Vienna and to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly.
September 28, 2021
What Is the Legal Status Quo of the Afghan Embassy in Vienna?
The last de facto ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Austria, Ambassador Manizha Bakhtari, no longer represents an existing government, but wants to remain Afghanistan's ambassador in Vienna after the Taliban's violent takeover of Kabul. She justifies this by saying that the illegitimate Taliban government cannot recall her and that Austria must first recognize the Taliban in order to legitimize her recall. Some members of the Austrian Parliament have now submitted an inquiry to Alexander Schallenberg, through which the status quo is to be determined.
September 24, 2021
Results of the 65th Annual IAEA General Conference
Strengthening the IAEA’s technical cooperation activities, the effectiveness and efficiency of safeguards, and its work related to nuclear and radiation safety, nuclear science, technology and applications, were some of the resolutions adopted this week by Member States as the 65th annual IAEA General Conference concluded on Friday.
September 24, 2021
IAEA Elects 11 New Members to Board of Governors
The IAEA reports, that eleven countries have been newly elected to serve on the 35-member Board of Governors for the period 2021–2022. Read on to find out who the 11 new members are.
September 24, 2021
UN Vienna: Gulf Cooperation Council Appoints New Permanent Observer
The new Permanent Observer for the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf, the Saudi Arabian Ali Abdulla Ebrahim Ali Aljawder, presented his credentials to the UN in Vienna.
September 24, 2021
Meet the New Permanent Representative of Malaysia
The new Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the International Organizations in Vienna, Mr. Ikram bin Mohd Ibrahim, presented his credentials to the various heads of the international organizations in Vienna. Learn more about Mr. Mohd Ibrahim and his career before becoming the permanent representative.
September 24, 2021
Update: Travel from the United States to Austria
As a result of the increased spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant in the United States, Austria recently removed the US from its list of countries with low epidemiological risk. Here is an update of what this means for travelers from the United States coming to Austria.
September 24, 2021
Iran Nuclear Talks to Continue in Vienna
Discussions regarding the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, are set to continue in Vienna. This has been confirmed by Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, also announced to the IAEA Board of Governors that Iran has agreed to allow IAEA inspectors to service the agency’s monitoring and surveillance equipment in Iran and replace their storage media. These developments come as US President Joe Biden has publicly expressed interest in returning to the agreement that his predecessor unilaterally withdrew from.
September 24, 2021
Doing Business with the United Arab Emirates: World Expo 2020 Opens in Dubai
The World Expo 2020, which kept its name despite being delayed to 2021, is set to begin in Dubai on 1 October. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been a particularly sought-after market for many Austrian companies. Read about the upcoming Expo, the economic relationship between Austria and the UAE, and some of the many Austrian companies that have found success there.
September 23, 2021
Paris and Vienna Share Focus on Climate Protection
Paris and Vienna, two of the largest cities in Europe, now share a focus on protecting the environment. To see how Paris is working to deal with climate change and how Vienna can learn from it, a Viennese delegation visited Paris to view some projects aimed at countering climate change. Read more about the projects that Paris and Vienna are implementing to protect the cities from the harmful effects of the changing climate.
September 23, 2021
American Photography at the Albertina: Trevor Traina Back in Vienna
Former U.S. Ambassador to Austria Trevor Traina was at the opening of the new exhibition "American Photography" at the Albertina Museum in Vienna. Mr. Traina holds one of the largest private collections of photographs in the world, and he loaned some of these pieces to the Albertina for the exhibition. "American Photography" includes photographs from 1945 to the present and focuses on everyday motifs that had previously been considered unworthy of portrayal. Read more about the exhibition and view a selection of photographs included in the exhibit.
September 22, 2021
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