Vienna's Foreign and Bilateral Relations

Economic Dialogue with a Signaling Effect: China and Austria Intensify Cooperation

Economic relations between the People's Republic of China and Austria have taken a significant step forward. The focus was on the official visit of a high-ranking Chinese business delegation led by Ren Hongbin, President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), accompanied by intensive talks with political decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and institutions in Vienna.

April 7, 2025

China's Ambassador QI Mei in Dialogue with Austrian Parliamentary Leadership

The Chinese Ambassador to Austria, QI Mei, held important diplomatic talks with leading representatives of the Austrian Parliament to further deepen bilateral relations between China and Austria. Within a few days, the Ambassador held talks with the two top representatives of the Austrian legislature - National Council President Dr. Walter Rosenkranz and Federal Council President Dr. Andrea Eder-Gitschthaler.

April 6, 2025

Strengthening Neighbourly Ties: Swiss Ignazio Cassis Receives Austrian Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger

Despite a time of increasing geopolitical challenges, the traditional neighborly dialogue between Switzerland and Austria is gaining importance. Against this backdrop, a bilateral working meeting took place in Bern between Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger and her Swiss counterpart, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. The meeting aimed to deepen existing relations and discuss joint solutions for current political and security policy issues.

April 6, 2025

New UN Ambassador Gregor W. Kössler: An Experienced Diplomat for Austria's Voice in New York

Gregor W. Kössler, Austria's new Permanent Representative to the United Nations, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Meet Ambassador Gregor W. Kössler, Austria's top diplomat in New York City.

April 2, 2025

Polish Diplomats Discuss New Geopolitical Reality at Conference in Vienna

Under the title “European Security in the New Geopolitical Reality”, political and diplomatic representatives, as well as experts, gathered to discuss Europe's security policy challenges in times of global upheaval. The conference, organized by the Polish Embassy in Vienna and the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM), sent a strong signal about the need for a common European course.

April 2, 2025

French Ambassador Matthieu Peyraud Meets Sociologist Michel Wieviorka

The French Ambassador to Austria, Matthieu Peyraud, met the renowned sociologist Michel Wieviorka in the run-up to the 33rd Jewish Film Festival Vienna. Wieviorka, known for his extensive research on anti-Semitism, racism, and terrorism, gave a lecture on “Combating anti-Semitism among young teachers and students” at the festival opening.

April 2, 2025

China's Ambassador Visits the Austrian Theatres-Holding in Vienna

The recent visit of Chinese Ambassador Qi Mei to the Bundestheater-Holding underlines the increasing importance of cultural exchange between Austria and China. The focus is on joint theater projects, artist exchanges, and the strengthening of bilateral relations in the performing arts.

April 2, 2025

India and the IAEA Intensify Cooperation: Focus on Nuclear Energy for Development and Health

During a high-level visit to India, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is strengthening cooperation with New Delhi in the areas of nuclear energy, training and the fight against cancer. A new hub for cancer treatment, a course in nuclear technology, and a clear geopolitical signal are the focus.

April 1, 2025

Ambassador Qi Mei Visits the University of Vienna: Sinology as a Bridge between China and Austria

In the spirit of bilateral relations between China and Austria, the Chinese Ambassador to Austria, Qi Mei, paid an official visit to the Department of East Asian Studies and Sinology at the University of Vienna. Her visit underlined the growing importance of academic exchange and intercultural understanding in an increasingly interconnected world.

April 1, 2025

Vienna as a Safe Haven for Ukrainian Corruption Suspects

In recent years, Vienna has become a preferred retreat for Ukrainian citizens who are wanted in their home country on corruption charges. Among them are high-ranking personalities such as the former head of the National Bank, Kyrylo Shevchenko, a former deputy minister, the chairman of a state-owned arms company, a former member of parliament, and several oligarchs. Austria's cautious extradition practice compared to countries such as Germany or Poland contributes to this trend.

March 31, 2025

Hope for De-escalation: Iran and IAEA Continued Talks on Nuclear Program

A new attempt to revive cooperation between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gives cause for hope. A meeting in Vienna between IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi marks a potential turning point in an increasingly tense geopolitical conflict over Iran's nuclear program.

March 31, 2025

Steve Witkoff: From Real Estate Mogul to US Envoy to the Middle East

Steve Witkoff, US special envoy to the Middle East, has played a crucial role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire and peace talks on Ukraine, while also negotiating with Russia on Ukraine's future. Steve Witkoff, a lawyer and developer, has a strong bond with President Trump, dating back nearly four decades.

March 23, 2025

Iran Demands Conditions for Nuclear Negotiations With the USA

The Iranian government is prepared to accept the negotiations on its nuclear program offered by US President Donald Trump but has set clear conditions regarding the sanctions against the Iranian economy, society, and the state itself.

March 23, 2025

Meet Andrew Williams: New Zealand's New Top Diplomat in Austria

Andrew Williams took up his post as New Zealand's Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Presentative to the International Organization in Vienna. His impressive career in the diplomatic service and his expertise in international law make him a prominent figure on the international stage.

March 20, 2025

Meeting of Foreign Ministers in Vienna: Austria Strengthens Partnership with North Macedonia

Political cooperation between Austria and North Macedonia is under a new star: Just a few days after her inauguration as Foreign Minister, Beate Meinl-Reisinger received her counterpart Timčo Mucunski in Vienna. The meeting was seen as an important diplomatic prelude, characterized by solidarity and determination, both in humanitarian and political terms. The tragic events in Kočani brought the relationship between the two countries into focus, while at the same time the European future of North Macedonia was discussed.

March 20, 2025

Economic Forum in Vienna: Poland and Austria in Dialogue on Security and Economy

As part of the Polish EU Council Presidency, the high-caliber forum “Ensuring Security and Freedom of Business - Polish and Austrian Perspectives” took place at the headquarters of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ). The event, which was organized by the Polish Embassy in Vienna in cooperation with the WKÖ, brought together over 130 representatives from public institutions, business organizations, and various industries from both countries. The event aimed to discuss current challenges and opportunities in the areas of energy security, digital transformation, and economic policy at the EU level.

March 19, 2025

UN High Commissioner Volker Türk: Israel's Settlement Construction in the West Bank Condemned as a War Crime

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has sharply criticized Israel for accelerating settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories and described it as a war crime. A recent report by his office documents numerous violations of international law by Israel. “The transfer of parts of its civilian population into the territory occupied by Israel is tantamount to a war crime,” explained Türk.

March 18, 2025

Visit to Kyiv by Austrian Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger Reaffirms Solidarity With Ukraine

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger traveled to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, with a clear message of support. There, she met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other high-ranking government representatives to reaffirm Austria's solidarity and diplomatic long-term support in the fight against the Russian war of aggression.

March 17, 2025

Meet Vietnam's Ambassador to the Republic of Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna

Dr. Vu Le Thai Hoang takes office as Vietnam's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Ambassador to Austria. His diplomatic career demonstrates extensive experience in international relations, strategic diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation. Meet Vietnam's top diplomat in Vienna.

March 14, 2025

Austrian Bishops' Conference Meets in Hungary for the First Time Without Cardinal Schönborn

For the first time in its history, the Austrian Bishops' Conference is holding its spring plenary meeting at the Benedictine Archabbey of Pannonhalma in Hungary. Following the resignation of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, he will no longer be attending the meeting. He will be replaced by the Apostolic Administrator Josef Grünwidl.

March 14, 2025

UNODC Reports That Opium Prices in Afghanistan Reach Historic Highs

The price of opium in Afghanistan soared to $750 per kilogram in 2024, marking a tenfold increase compared to the $75 per kilogram price in 2022 before the country’s de facto authorities imposed a strict drug ban. This data comes from a new report released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

March 14, 2025

Meet Japan's Ambassador to the Republic of Austria

Iwama Kiminori has been serving as Japan's Ambassador to Austria for some time. With an impressive diplomatic career and extensive international experience, he aims to further expand and deepen the traditionally good relations between Japan and Austria. Meet Ambassador Iwama Kiminori, the top diplomat of Japan in Vienna.

March 13, 2025

Vienna as a UN Location More Important Than Ever: Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger Reaffirms Austria's Commitment

Vienna is considered one of the most important UN locations in the world. Austria's Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger visited the Vienna International Centre (VIC) to emphasize the importance of the UN headquarters for Austria and the international community. In talks with high-ranking UN representatives, she reaffirmed Austria's support for multilateral cooperation and the rules-based world order. But what specific tasks does the UN perform in Vienna and why are they more urgent than ever today?

March 13, 2025

Increasing Risk of Espionage for Austrian IT Companies

Austrian companies are increasingly being targeted by foreign intelligence services. According to a recent study by the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN) in the Ministry of the Interior, which was carried out in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Austrian Industries, almost one in ten companies stated that they had already been the victim of espionage. The IT sector is particularly affected. Experts also assume that the number of unreported cases is high.

March 13, 2025

Japan Business Talk: Lower Austria Prepares for Expo 2025 in Osaka

Lower Austria is intensifying its economic relations with Japan: At the “Japan Business Talk” event, high-ranking representatives from politics, science, and business discussed the opportunities and challenges of cooperation. The background to this is the upcoming business delegation trip to Expo 2025 in Osaka-Kansai.

March 12, 2025

Sweden Takes Over Chairmanship of ICMPD: New Impetus for European Migration Policy

The Kingdom of Sweden has officially taken over the chairmanship of the steering group of the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) for the year 2025. The handover ceremony occurred at the Swedish Permanent Representation in Brussels, where Migration Minister Johan Forssell took over from Greece. Sweden will play a central role in shaping European migration policy by assuming the presidency.

March 12, 2025

Meet Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna

The new Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations in Vienna, Yurii Vitrenko, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Yurii Vitrenko, the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna.

March 11, 2025

ICMPD Director General Meets Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister

Michael Spindelegger, Director General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), met with Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov to discuss enhanced cooperation. Key topics included support for Ukrainian refugees, the work of the newly established Ministry of National Unity, and ICMPD’s role in migration policy.

March 11, 2025

Russian Ambassador Lyubinsky Sharply Criticizes Austria

The Russian Ambassador to Austria, Dmitry Lyubinsky, delivered a speech before the members of the "Society for Friendship with Austria" (ROO). The event, originally intended to promote cultural and civil society exchange, turned into a sharp political reckoning with the Austrian government.

March 11, 2025

UN in Vienna Warns: Europe Poorly Prepared for Dangerous Synthetic Drugs

The rapid spread of synthetic drugs poses a growing threat to public health and is fundamentally changing global drug black markets. The United Nations International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) in Vienna warns in its latest annual report that Europe is ill-prepared for this danger and that a coordinated, determined strategy is needed to combat the threat.

March 4, 2025

Trump Appoints Real Estate Agent Arthur Graham Fisher as New US Ambassador to Austria

Before taking office, US President-elect Donald Trump announced the appointment of Arthur Graham Fisher as the new US ambassador to Austria. Fisher, a successful real estate agent from North Carolina, is primarily known for his work in the real estate industry and has no diplomatic experience. The appointment has therefore provoked mixed reactions.

March 3, 2025

Taiwan Representation in Vienna Calls for International Support against Beijing's Isolation Tactics

Taiwan is under constant pressure from China. In addition to threatening military gestures, Beijing is increasingly relying on hybrid warfare to isolate the island republic internationally. A recent incident in which a Chinese ship is believed to have severed an undersea cable between Taiwan and the Penghu Islands highlights the vulnerability of the global communications infrastructure.

February 28, 2025

Russia's Ambassador to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky Calls for New Security Architecture for Europe

In a recently published article, the Russian ambassador to Austria, Dmitry Lyubinsky, sharply criticized Western reporting on the Ukraine conflict and emphasized the need for sustainable peace solutions. But to what extent do his statements stand up to critical scrutiny?

February 25, 2025

Chinese Ambassador Qi Mei Visited Styria: Deepening Bilateral Relations

The Chinese ambassador to Austria, Qi Mei, paid a working visit to Styria. Her visit focused on meetings with Governor Mario Kunasek and Provincial Parliament President Gerald Deutschmann, during which the positive developments in Styrian-Chinese relations.

February 24, 2025

German Election and AfD in the Wake of a Donation Scandal from Austria

The German parliamentary elections are approaching, and yet another donation scandal is rocking the Alternative for Germany (AfD). The focus is on millions of euros that are said to have flowed from Austria - in some cases in a questionable manner. While the Austrian authorities are investigating the suspicion of money laundering, the question arises as to what extent actors from the Alpine country are influencing the German election campaign.

February 19, 2025

Brunner Meets Meloni: Talks on Returns and Asylum Centers in Albania

EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) has met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome for an intensive exchange on current migration issues. It was Brunner's first visit to Italy since his appointment as EU Commissioner for Migration.

February 19, 2025

Oligarchs and Their Real Estate: How Effectively Is Austria Implementing the Russia Sanctions?

Almost three years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, experts and politicians are puzzled as to how seriously Austria is implementing the EU sanctions against Russian oligarchs. Research shows that only nine properties have been frozen in this country, while other EU states are more transparent with their measures and enforce them more strictly.

February 17, 2025

Embassy of Kosovo in Vienna Celebrates Independence Through Literature

The Albanian Writers and Creators Association in Austria, "Aleksandër Moisiu," recently hosted a literary event in Vienna to celebrate the anniversary of Kosovo’s independence. Organized in cooperation with the Embassy of Kosovo, the gathering brought together diplomats, writers, and literary enthusiasts to highlight the role of literature in preserving cultural identity and fostering connections within the Albanian diaspora.

February 17, 2025

EAVISTA Takes Over card complete: Bank Austria and RBI Sell Their Shares

The Austrian credit card company card complete Service Bank AG has a new majority shareholder. UniCredit Bank Austria and Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) have sold their shares in the company to EAVISTA Beteiligungsverwaltungs GmbH.

February 17, 2025

OSCE Special Representative Visits Moldova for the Settlement Process of the Transnistrian Conflict

The OSCE Chairmanship's Special Representative for the Transnistria Conflict, Ambassador Thomas Lenk, has made his first official visit to the Republic of Moldova. The visit aimed to assess the current status of the Transnistria conflict resolution process and to promote dialog and confidence-building measures between the parties to the conflict.

February 16, 2025

AI Action Summit in Paris: Strengthening International Cooperation

The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit, held in Paris on February 10 and 11, brought together world leaders, policymakers, and experts to discuss the future of AI. As artificial intelligence continues to shape economies, industries, and societies worldwide, the summit aimed to establish a collaborative and ethical framework for its development. At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg and State Secretary for Digitalization Claudia Plakolm participated in the discussions.

February 12, 2025

European Commission Sues Seven Member States Including Austria for Failure to Implement the NPL Directive

The European Commission has filed a complaint against Austria and six other EU Member States with the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The reason: these countries have not transposed the EU Non-Performing Loans (NPL) Directive into national law on time.

February 12, 2025

Steyr Arms Pushes Expansion - Austria as a Location in Danger?

The Austrian arms manufacturer Steyr Arms, part of the Czech investment group RSBC since 2024, is planning extensive expansion in the US and European markets. At the same time, the site in Austria is coming under pressure as export licenses are being delayed. While the company management wants to secure the future of the traditional business with new strategic decisions, a relocation could be considered.

February 11, 2025

Chancellor and Foreign Minister Schallenberg Met with "Friends of the Western Balkans" Group and Prime Minister Meloni in Rome

Austrian Chancellor and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg reaffirmed Austria's commitment to regional stability and European unity during meetings in Rome. Engaging with both the "Friends of the Western Balkans" group and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Schallenberg emphasized the strategic importance of EU enlargement and the necessity of fostering robust bilateral relations with key European partners.

February 10, 2025

Austrian National Council President Engages in Dialogue with Ukrainian Parliament Speaker

Austrian National Council President Walter Rosenkranz and Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament Ruslan Stefantschuk recently held a video conference to discuss the pressing issues surrounding Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

February 10, 2025

Austria Opens New Cultural Forum in Sofia

The Austrian Cultural Forum was officially opened in Sofia. With the inauguration of this new center for art and culture, Austria is sending a further signal for bilateral exchange with Bulgaria and for its commitment to cultural diplomacy.

February 7, 2025

A Sign of Friendship: The New Year's Meeting of the Austrian-Polish Society in Vienna

Bilateral relations between Austria and Poland are an important pillar of European cooperation and thrive not only through diplomatic meetings, but also through cultural and scientific exchange. The New Year's meeting of the Austrian-Polish Society in Vienna was an impressive example of how tradition and a vision for the future come together in a festive setting.

February 6, 2025

Chinese New Year Celebrations Strengthen Chinese-Austrian Friendship

The Chinese New Year was celebrated in Vienna with festive events underscoring the close diplomatic and cultural ties between China and Austria. The celebrations attracted not only high-ranking political representatives but also numerous members of the Chinese community and interested Viennese.

February 5, 2025

Raiffeisen Bank International: Profit Slump due to Provisions for Russia

Raiffeisen Bank International's consolidated profit decreased by over 50% in 2024 due to a €840 million provision from a Russian court ruling, which ordered the bank to pay EUR 2 billion in damages.

February 4, 2025

Slovenia Takes over the Presidency of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River

Slovenia has officially assumed the presidency of the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) for 2025. Dr. Lidija Globevnik, Director-General of the Slovenian Water and Marine Directorate at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, succeeds the previous Slovak President, Vladimír Novák. The annual rotation of the presidency highlights the ICPDR's ongoing commitment to sustainable and coordinated water management in the Danube region.

February 3, 2025