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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 Anti-IS Coalition Meeting: "No Country is Left Out as a Gallic Village"
At the Global Anti-IS (Anti-Daesh) Coalition Meeting in Rome, Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg and his European and global counterparts discussed how to best combat the current threats of Islamist terrorists.
June 29, 2021
On Behalf of EU: Lithuanian, Romanian and Austrian Foreign Ministers Travel to South Caucasus
The Foreign Ministers from Lithuania, Romania and Austria have visited the South Caucasus countries Azerbaija, Armenia and Georgia on behalf of EU External Relations Commissioner Josep Borrell. Read everything about the details of the trip below.
June 28, 2021
Venezuela and Colombia Receive Support from Austria
In the midst of a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela and Colombia, the Austrian government has decided to support the two Latin American countries and to additionally substantially increase the UNHCR funding. Read more below.
June 28, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Austria Prepares for a "Summer Like Back Then"
Austria is getting ready for a summer with (hopefully) little Covid-19 impact. Night life will be celebrating its full return in a week from now and travel with the Green Passport should become easier as of July 1 as well. The Find out more about this week's developments.
June 24, 2021
Kosovo's President Meets Van der Bellen in Vienna
Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu traveled to Vienna to meet with her Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen. The main topics of their discussion were the progress in the EU accession process and bilateral cooperation in various fields. Read more about the meeting below.
June 24, 2021
Austria Eases Entry for USA and Serbia
U.S. citizens, Serbs and citizens from nine other countries can enter Austria again. These countries have been added to the list, where only a 3-G proof (vaccinated, tested, recovered) is necessary for entering Austria. Read more about other travel updates below.
June 23, 2021
Saudi Arabia Aims to Deepen Relations with Austria
During a working visit by the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud in Vienna, he and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg have agreed on expanding trade relations and other economic cooperations. Read more below.
June 23, 2021
EU Holds First Accession Conference with Serbia and Montenegro
At the General Affairs Council, which precedes the grand European Council, Austrian Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler has once again spoken out in favor of including Serbia and Montenegro in the EU. Other topics were the relations with Switzerland and the controversial Hungarian "anti-pedophile" law. Read more below.
June 23, 2021
Schallenberg and EU Foreign Ministers Agree on Sanctions Against Belarus
At the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) the EU Foreign Ministers have agreed upon renewed and tightened sanctions against the Belarusian regime. Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg warns that the agreed measures must not hit the civil society. Read more below.
June 22, 2021
Vienna - Bratislava: Twin City Liner Resumes Operations
After a short season in 2020, the Twin City Liner has resumed its operation to offer another type of connection between Vienna and Bratislava. You have a meeting in Bratislava around noon? The Twin City Liner will provide you with a new travel experience.
June 21, 2021
Vienna Hosts Western Balkan Summit
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has invited political leaders from various Western Balkan countries to Vienna to discuss current issues on an European as well as on a bilateral level. Read more below to find out what was discussed.
June 21, 2021
Permanent Representative of Syria to the International Organizations in Vienna Presents his Credentials
The new Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations (Vienna), Hasan Khaddour, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly.
June 18, 2021
Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the International Organizations in Vienna Presents his Credentials
The new Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (Vienna), Suleiman Dauda Umar, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly.
June 18, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Return to Normality in July
The Austrian government has announced the reduction of restrictions as of July 1. Three weeks later, some more relaxations could be implemented. Are the coming weeks the last ones of the pandemic? Find out more about this week's developments.
June 17, 2021
Prague and Vienna Enter Into Cooperation Agreement
The Czech and Austrian capitals have agreed on a cooperation agreement that will cover information exchange in the fields of digitalization, sustainable development, and transport management. Read more about the agreement below.
June 17, 2021
Europa Forum Wachau: "Include Western Balkans in EU Programs"
At the 25th Europa Forum Wachau, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg spoke out in favor of finding creative approaches to bind the Western Balkan states to the EU even before a possible EU accession.
June 16, 2021
GLOBSEC Forum in Slovakia: Heger and Kurz Demand Reforms in Exchange for Economic Aid
At a working meeting and at the GLOBSEC Forum in Bratislava, Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz discussed, among other things, the importance of EU's reconstruction fund and how aid should be distributed. Read more below.
June 16, 2021
EU Sets Stage for Green Passport
The European Union has agreed on the legislation of an EU wide COVID digital certificate. The certificate should facilitate travel within Europe and increase cross-border movement as of July 1. Read more below.
June 15, 2021
Malta and Austria Demand Peace for Libya
At a bilateral meeting between the Maltese Foreign Minister Evarist Bartolo and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg in Malta, both politicians spoke out in favor of increased support for the Libyan population that has long suffered from the hostile situation in the North African country.
June 15, 2021
South Korean President in Vienna
The South Korean President Moon Jae-in has met his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen and the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in Vienna to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic and a strategic partnership.
June 15, 2021
Lithuanian Prime Minister in Vienna: "Situation in Belarus Unacceptable"
In her visit to Vienna, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė demands the immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus. Austria's Chancellor Kurz and Šimonytė share very similar concerns regarding Belarus. Read more below.
June 14, 2021
Switzerland and Austria Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement
Switzerland and Austria enter in an era of even greater cooperation. The Swiss Foreign Minister, Ignazio Cassis, and his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg, have signed a strategic partnership agreement.
June 14, 2021
Zeman and Van der Bellen Urge Better Relations with Russia
At a bilateral meeting in Vienna, Czech President Miloš Zeman and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen have agreed on the necessity to include Russia in Europe and demand negotiations with the Kreml. Read more below.
June 11, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Is the Pandemic Really Over?
In a meeting with his Italian counterpart, Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen stated that the "pandemic as we have experienced it can be considered overcome." Is this the case? Find out more about this week's developments.
June 10, 2021
Austria Participates in Huge Blow Against International Organized Crime
Right in the middle of an internationally coordinated campaign against organized crime, the Austrian police forces have seized more than half a million euros, 700 kilograms of narcotics and more than 30 weapons. Read more about the strike below.
June 10, 2021
USA Ease Travel Warnings for Austria
The United States of America have re-evaluated their travel warning for Austria. Now, the State Department is advising to reconsider traveling, instead of completely discouraging traveling. Read more about the recommendations below.
June 9, 2021
Austria's Demand for EU Accession of Western Balkans Finds EU Support
At a virtual conference with Foreign Ministers of Western Balkan countries and numerous EU Foreign Ministers, the latter ones vehemently supported the EU accession process of Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. Read more below.
June 9, 2021
Van der Bellen in Italy: "The Pandemic Can be Considered Overcome"
On his visit to Rome and the Vatican, Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen and his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella are optimistic that the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, such as lockdowns and travel restrictions, can be considered overcome.
June 8, 2021
IAEA Urges Iran to Resolve Issues Related to Four Undeclared Locations
Technical discussions between the IAEA and Iran have not yielded the expected results, and the lack of progress in clarifying the Agency’s questions concerning the correctness and completeness of Iran’s safeguards declarations seriously affects the ability of the IAEA to provide assurance of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, according to Rafael Mariano Grossi.
June 8, 2021
EU Accession: "Without Stability in the Western Balkans, There can be no Stability in Europe"
During his visit to Hungary, Austria's National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka emphasized the importance of the Western Balkans for the European Union. He tried to convince the Hungarian meeting partners to support the EU accession process of Albania and North Macedonia.
June 7, 2021
Steinmeier and Van der Bellen Demand European Cohesion
At a working meeting in Germany, Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier discuss European unity and bilateral cooperation with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more below.
June 7, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Belarus Faces Harsh Criticism
After the forced landing of a passenger plan and the arrest of an anti-government blogger, the international community, among them a number of Austrian politicians, demand strong sanctions for the authoritarian regime. Find out more about this week's developments.
June 4, 2021
Tikhanovskaya and Kurz: Targeted Sanctions for Belarus Needed
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Belarusian opposition leader, and Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz held a video conference to discuss the current developments in Belarus. Read more about possible sanctions below.
June 2, 2021
Taiwan and Austria: Current State of Political and Trade Relations
The relations between Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), and Austria are developing stably despite the current tensions in the South China Sea.
June 1, 2021
Austrian Parliament Prepares for World Conference
At the physical conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at the Austria Center Vienna in September, dozens of international Speakers of Parliament will discuss the creation of effective multilateralism. A conference website was now launched.
June 1, 2021
China and Austria: Extension of Climate Neutrality Research Agreement
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Austria, the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang and Austria's Climate Protection Minister Gewessler extend the agreement for cooperation in research and technology in the field of climate neutrality.
June 1, 2021
International Nightjet Connections to Vienna Back in Service: Now Also Amsterdam
Effective immediately, the Nightjets of Austrian Railways (ÖBB - Österreichische Bundesbahnen) are once again in operation. In addition to the 18 known night train connections, for the first time there is also a daily night train from Amsterdam via Linz to Vienna or via Munich to Innsbruck. Paris and Strasbourg are being planned.
May 31, 2021
EU Foreign Ministers Condemn Belarusian "Air Piracy"
At the informal meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Portugal, Austria's Alexander Schallenberg and his European counterparts condemned the actions took by the Belarusian regime to arrest an anti-government blogger.
May 31, 2021
2025: Rail Connection Vienna - Bratislava in 45 Minutes
Cutting the travel time between Vienna and Bratislava short by 15 minutes is the goal of the planned double-track expansion between the EU capitals. Read more about the implementation and the benefits of the construction works.
May 28, 2021
Liechtenstein's and Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister in Vienna
The discussions between the two respective Foreign Ministers from Liechtenstein and Azerbaijan with Austria's Alexander Schallenberg focused on the bilateral relations and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
May 28, 2021
Russia Denied Austrian Airlines Flight to Moscow: Now Approved After All
Russia has denied permission for a scheduled Austrian Airlines (AUA) flight to Moscow. Due to the recommendation of EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency to avoid the airspace over Belarus, the flight plan should be changed and Belarus should be avoided. Today, word from the Federal Ministry for Climate Action is that AUA has received approval for today's flight to Moscow. How does it continue?
May 28, 2021
Estonian President and Van der Bellen: "This was State Kidnapping"
The Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and her Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen condemn the recent developments in Belarus and demand immediate action from the European Union.
May 28, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Green Passport is Coming Soon
After the EU countries and the EU Parliament have agreed on the framework for an Europe-wide Green Passport implemented on July 1, Austria will have its version ready by the beginning of June. Find out more about this week's developments.
May 27, 2021
Chinese Ambassador to Austria Receives Grand Decoration of Honor
Ambassador Li Xiaosi from the People's Republic of China has been awarded the Grand Decoration of Honor for his Servicer to the State of Vienna by Mayor Michael Ludwig.
May 27, 2021
Israel Flag Hoisting Crisis: Protest of Arab Ambassadors in Austria
All 17 ambassadors of Arab states accredited in Vienna protest against the raising of the Israeli flag on the roofs of the Austrian Federal Chancellery and the Austrian Foreign Ministry.
May 27, 2021
New Cargo Airline Relocates to Austria
Express service provider DHL Express is relocating a large part of its cargo airline from England to the Vienna area. The new cargo airline for the European market, based in Austria, is said to be a strong signal for the location.
May 26, 2021
Vienna and Israel Deepen Friendship
The City of Vienna proofs once again that it cherishes its Jewish Community and its good relations with Israel. For this sake, Mayor Michael Ludwig and Ambassador Mordechal Rodgold came together to set an example for fa deepening friendship.
May 26, 2021
Austria, Czech Republic and Slovenia Want EU Accession of North Macedonia and Albania
During their visits to North Macedonia and Albania, the Czech, Slovenian and Austrian Foreign Ministers once again spoke out in favor of a rapid EU accession process for the two Wester Balkan states.
May 25, 2021
Landing Ban for Flights from United Kingdom
Due to an increasing number of infection cases with the Indian mutation of Covid-19 in the United Kingdom, Austria has reintroduced a landing ban for airplanes coming directly from the UK.
May 25, 2021
Meet the New Permanent Representative of Iceland to Austria and to the International Organizations in Vienna
The new Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations (Vienna), Ms. Kristín A. Árnadóttir, presented her credentials to some of the international organizations in Vienna.
May 21, 2021
