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

New Ambassador of Panama to Austria Presents Credentials

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the Republic of Austria, Mr. Dario Ernesto Chiru Ochoa, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about his background.

July 19, 2021

U.S. Embassy in Vienna Named New Chargé d'Affaires a.i.

Mario Mesquita assumed his post as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the United States Embassy in Austria. At the same time, Chargé d'Affaires Robin Dunnigan bid farewell after four years in Austria. Who is the new Chargé d'Affaires?

July 19, 2021

A "Kennedy" Is to Become U.S. Ambassador to Vienna

Victoria Kennedy, the widow of the prominent U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (1932-2009), reportedly is under consideration to be US ambassador to Austria, the Austrian Federal Presidency confirmed. Find out how it came about.

July 17, 2021

Meet the New Ambassador of Nicaragua to Austria

The new Ambassador of Nicaragua to Austria, Sabra Amari Murillo Centeno, presented her credentials to Austrian President, Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about her.

July 16, 2021

Corona Year 2020: Austria's Foreign Trade with Sharp Declines Compared to the Previous Year

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic led to a significant decline in the overall Austrian foreign trade values (imports -8.6% and exports -7.5%). Following are the exact developments of the regions and details on the most important trading partners.

July 16, 2021

New Ambassador of Nigeria to Austria Presents his Credentials

The new Ambassador of Nigeria to Austria and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (Vienna), Mr. Suleiman Dauda Umar, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about him.

July 15, 2021

At Summit With Merkel, Kurz Reaffirms Support for Western Balkan EU Accession

German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and other leaders for the Western Balkans Summit. Kurz expressed his full support for the six Western Balkan states Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Read what he said.

July 15, 2021

Kurz Visits USA and Meets with UN Secretary-General Guterres

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz traveled to the USA for a multi-day visit. One of his many meetings was with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York. Kurz discussed COVID-19, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and much more. Read more about his trip and his other meetings.

July 14, 2021

UK to End Quarantine for People Vaccinated in the UK Returning from Austria

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the government would begin easing COVID-19 restrictions for England on 19 July. People vaccinated in the UK will no longer be required to quarantine when returning from "Amber List" countries like Austria. Read more about this and what else the PM said will change.

July 13, 2021

Meet the New Ambassador of Slovenia to Austria

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Austria, H.E. Mr. Aleksander Geržina, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. He was already Ambassador to Austria from 2009 to 2013. Learn more about his background.

July 13, 2021

Latest Travel Restrictions Between the United Kindom and Austria

There are still travel warnings regarding travel between the United Kingdom and Austria due to the spread of COVID-19 variants. Germany and some other EU countries are loosening restrictions on vaccinated Britons, but travelers should still expect to quarantine when traveling from Austria to the UK. Learn more about the latest travel restrictions between the two countries.

July 12, 2021

Meet the Ambassador of the French Republic to Austria

The Ambassador of the French Republic to Austria, Mr. Gilles Pécout, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Read more about him.

July 12, 2021 · Updated: July 12, 2021; 13:43

Arab Ambassadors in Vienna and Economic Relations between their Countries and Austria

The Ambassadors from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia, and the UAE to Austria provided an economic overview of their countries and their relationship with Austria in an online forum with the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC).

July 11, 2021

Meet the Ambassador of Pakistan to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna

The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Austria, Mr. Aftab Ahmad Khokher, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about him.

July 9, 2021

Latest Travel Restrictions From Austria to the USA

Travel to the USA from Austria is still restricted due to COVID-19, but the US Embassy Vienna has provided rules for National Interest Exceptions (NIE). Learn more about them before traveling.

July 8, 2021

Austria's Latest COVID-19 Entry Requirements

Entry into Austria is becoming possible for more people, but there are still requirements that must be met first. Learn more about them.

July 7, 2021

The U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and its New Chargé d’Affaires

A brief look at what the U.S. Mission to the OSCE does and its new Chargé d’Affaires, Courtney E. Austrian.

July 7, 2021

Qatar and Vienna Exchange Cooperation Ideas

Ambassador of Qatar to Vienna Salmeen Al-Mansouri and Mayor of Vienna Michael Ludwig express mutual interest in further cooperation between Qatar and Vienna with the full support of the Secretary-General of the AACC Mouddar Khouja.

July 6, 2021

Krakow and Vienna Will Cooperate Closely in the Future

The Polish city of Krakow and Austria's capital Vienna have entered into a cooperation agreement, which lasts for the next four years. Krakow's Mayor Jacek Majchrowski and his Viennese counterpart Michael Ludwig will be working together on various topics. Read all about the agreement below.

June 30, 2021

Swedish Foreign Minister Meets with Schallenberg in Vienna

The Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde came to Vienna to meet her Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg and visit the Vienna headquarters of the OSCE. Read more about her trip below.

June 30, 2021

German-Speaking Heads of State: "Possibility of More Sustainable and Resilient Era"

The heads of state of German-speaking countries met in Germany to discuss social cohesion after the Covid-19 pandemic and using the pandemic to move into a "more sustainable and resilient era". Read more about the meeting below.

June 30, 2021

Putin in Exchange with Austrian News Agency: "I Want to Present Myself as a Hospitable Host"

Russian President Vladimir Putin answered APA CEO, Dr. Clemens Pig's questions about Austria-Russia relations, Belarus, freedom of movement, and freedom of information at the 24th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

June 29, 2021

Austrian-Based EU Strategy for the Danube Region Celebrates Anniversary

The EU Strategy for the Danube Region celebrates its 10th anniversary by highlighting its importance and contribution to Europe. 14 countries with a population of around 115 million people make up one of the strongest economic forces on the European continent.

June 29, 2021

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