Vienna's Foreign and Bilateral Relations

Microsoft Investment in Cloud Data Center Adds €2 Billion in Value for Austria

The data center for Austria, which Microsoft announced last fall as a milestone, is taking concrete shape. Microsoft has acquired operational building land for this purpose. The data center ecosystem is expected to include more than 4,000 local partners and cloud-using customers. It also announced investments in a new Center of Digital Excellence and skills training for up to 120,000 Austrians by 2024.

February 5, 2021

Swedish Digital Platform Sellpy Launches in Austria

The e-commerce platform for selling second-hand fashion has now also been launched in Austria, following Sweden, the Netherlands and Germany. As a result, Sellpy, which is part of the H&M Group, is now active in four countries.

February 3, 2021

Edtstadler in Paris: Meetings with Secretaries of State and Chief Rabbi

In order to discuss Covid-19 coordination and the fight against terrorism and anti-Semitism, Austria's Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler has traveled to Paris, France and met with, among others, Secretary of State for Europe Clément Beaune and Chief Rabbi of France Haim Korsia.

February 2, 2021

Pahor and Van der Bellen Demand European Cooperation

The Slovenian President Borut Pahor and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen met virtually to discuss current issues, especially the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the fight against the climate crisis. Both heads of state stressed the importance of European and, in fact, global cooperation in both matters.

February 2, 2021

British in Vienna: First Residence Permit Handed Out

The first British citizen living in Vienna has received her approved residence permit. After the UK has left the EU on December 31, 2020, about 12,000 Britons living in Austria will need to apply for a residence title by the end of 2021. British Ambassador to Austria Leigh Turner is pleased by the processing of the Austrian officials so far.

February 1, 2021

IIASA: Science Diplomacy Made in Vienna

Since the days of the Cold War, Vienna has also played host to "science diplomacy," and it is conducted at Schloss Laxenburg (near Vienna, to be exact). There resides the IIASA international research institute, which was founded in 1972 and today plays a leading role in promoting this concept as a key tool for building trust between nations and supporting foreign policy.

February 1, 2021

"Ronaldo of Investment Banking" Becomes New CEO of Bank Austria Parent Company

The Board of Directors of UniCredit SpA, which owns 96.35% of Bank Austria, unanimously nominated "deal junkie" Andrea Orcel as designated CEO to replace the outgoing CEO, Jean Pierre Mustier.

January 31, 2021

New Year's Reception for Vienna's Diplomatic Corps

Alexander Van Der Bellen and Pedro Lopez Quintana, the doyen of the diplomatic corps, delivered a video address on the occasion of the New Year 2021 to all diplomats accredited in Austria and to the international community in general. Read the most important excerpts from the Austrian President's speech below.

January 29, 2021

Schallenberg Welcomes Extension of New START

The last minute extension of the New START agreement between the Russian Federation and the USA is welcomed by Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. After the entering into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TNPW) about a week prior, this is the second step in the direction of nuclear disarmament in 2021.

January 29, 2021

Speaker of Serbian Parliament Meets Sobotka

Serbia's Speaker of Parliament, Ivica Dačić, and Austria's National Council President, Wolfgang Sobotka, met virtually to discuss current issues. The agenda of the meeting comprised the counties' approaches with regard to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the work of parliaments in times of the pandemic and the migration movements in the Western Balkans.

January 28, 2021

Influential OPEC Fund Celebrates 45th Anniversary

The Vienna-based OPEC Fund for International Development marks its 45th anniversary today. Since inception in 1976 by the Member States of OPEC, the multilateral development finance institution has approved more than US$25 billion in essential financing for 135 partner countries.

January 28, 2021

Myanmar Ambassador Receives President of Austrian-Myanmar Society

U Min Thein, Ambassador-designate of Myanmar to Austria received President of Austrian-Myanmar Society Prof. Dr. Andreas Moritz (Head of the School of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna) and Vice-President Mr. Philip Schönthal (Myanmar Honorary Consul-General to Austria) at the Myanmar Embassy.

January 28, 2021

Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations Office in New York Presents his Credentials

Ambassador Alexander (Axel) Marschik is the new permanent representative of Austria to the United Nations in New York. He presented his credentials to UN's General Secretary Antonio Guterres and sees it as "a privilege to serve as Ambassador to the United Nations together with colleagues from all over the world."

January 27, 2021

Travel Austria-USA: Negative Covid-19 Test Required

The new President of the United States and the responsible departments have renewed the entry ban for European citizens. Thus, effective January 26, 2021, Austrians, Europeans and even U.S. citizens traveling to the USA need to provide a negative Covid-19 test result in order to be allowed to travel to the United States.

January 26, 2021

US Ambassador Traina Leaves Austria

The U.S. Ambassador to Austria Trevor Traina has concluded his mission and returns to his home country. Austria's Chancellor Kurz and Foreign Minister Schallenberg thank Traina for his commitment to better the bilateral relations between the two countries, while Traina himself bids farewell in a video starring highlights of his term.

January 26, 2021

EU Future Conference: Edtstadler Demands Action

At an an informal video conference of the EU's Ministers for European Affairs, Austria's responsible Minister, Karoline Edtstadler, once again demanded an early start of the EU Future Conference. Although the Covid-19 pandemic might have shown some strengths and weaknesses of the current EU, Edtstadler demands a clear path into the future of the Union.

January 25, 2021

Speaker of Israeli Parliament Met Sobotka

Israel's Speaker of Parliament, Yariv Levin, and Austria's National Council President, Wolfgang Sobotka, met virtually to discuss current issues. The agenda of the meeting comprised the fight against Covid-19 in all its facets, the work of parliaments in times of the pandemic and security issues in the parliamentary operations.

January 22, 2021

New US Presidency: Austria and EU Welcome New Chapter

Joe Biden, as new President of the United States, and Kamala Harris, as new Vice President, were inaugurated on January 20, 2021. The reactions from politicians throughout the European Union and Austria to the inauguration and the President's first acts were filled with hope and positivity.

January 22, 2021

Brexit: Austria to Receive EUR 16.8 Million to Cushion Impact

To alleviate the likely negative effects of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, the European Commission has set up a reserve, from which EU member states will receive funding. Austria is entitled to EUR 16.8 million, while other member states, which have closer trade links to the leaving party, will receive more.

January 15, 2021

Brexit Agreement: Austria's Economy Significantly Better Off

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) has issued a study in which the effects of the post-Brexit trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union was compared to a no-deal scenario. The results of the study show that the Austrian economy be happy with the negotiated agreement.

January 14, 2021

Schallenberg Visits Troubled Ethiopia

Due to the recent conflict in Tigray, the Covid-19 pandemic, and natural disasters, Ethiopia faces enormous challenges. Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has travelled to the country in order to hold talks with the Ethiopian President and Foreign Minister and assures monetary aid from the Foreign Disaster Relief Fund.

January 14, 2021

Brexit Has Lasting Impact on Erasmus

The Brexit has a huge impact on the European economy and its people. One of the most discussed effects among the younger population is the end of the United Kingdom's participation in the Erasmus+ program. Thousands of European and British students are affected and will now need to seek other opportunities to further their studies abroad.

January 13, 2021

Britons in Vienna: 10% Have Already Applied for Residence Permit

About 10 percent of the British citizens in Vienna have already applied for a residence permit. Due to Brexit, the British population residing in EU countries needs to take certain measures in order to stay eligible for residence in the future. In Austria, the deadline for applications is December 31, 2021.

January 13, 2021

Speaker of Swedish Parliament Met Sobotka

The Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Andreas Norlén met virtually with his Austrian counterpart, National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka. The main topics of the meeting comprised the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, parliamentary security and foreign relation issues.

January 12, 2021

Eurochambres President Demands Repositioning of EU

After the post-Brexit trade deal between the EU and the United Kingdom has finally been set up, Eurochambres President Christoph Leitl demands repositioning of the European Union and does not only see negative impacts of the UK leaving the single market and the customs union.

January 11, 2021

Austria Provides Medical Treatment for Kosovar Patients

An impactful gas explosion in Kosovo left more than 40 people injured, several of them needing urgent intensive medical treatment. After the Kosovar government approached the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Chancellor Kurz and Foreign Minister Schallenberg reacted immediately and promised to help.

January 11, 2021

Austria Introduces Border Controls with Czech Republic and Slovakia

Due to high numbers of Covid-19 infection rates in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Austria's Ministry of Interior has introduced more strict border controls with both countries as of January 9, 2020. Small border crossings will be closed and at all others, every vehicle will be checked when entering Austria.

January 8, 2021

Austro-American Society Celebrates 75th Anniversary

The Austro-American Society (ÖAG) celebrated it 75th anniversary on January 6, 2021. The Austrian Ambassador to the USA, Martin Weiss, the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, and the heads of the ÖAG used this occasion to underline the goals of the society's. These comprise the strengthening of the Austro-American relations in the aspects of social, economic, cultural and public life.

January 7, 2021

Bosnia and Herzegovina Receives Support From Austria

The Austrian Foreign Ministry has decided to provide the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) with EUR 1 million for the humanitarian care of refugees and migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Foreign Minister Schallenberg is eager to support the affected people with rapid assistance directly in the area.

January 4, 2021

Investment Agreement with China Opens Doors

The European Union and China have agreed on a joint investment agreement. The core elements of the "Comprehensive Agreement on Investment" (CAI) include better market access, sustainability and a level playing field for European and Chinese companies. Considering the fact that China will be the biggest economy of the world in the near future, the agreement opens doors to a huge market.

December 30, 2020

Schramböck: "UK Will Remain Important Partner in Europe"

Although the United Kingdom will be leaving the European Union's customs union and single market at the end of 2020, Austria's Economics Minister Schramböck assures that "Austria's companies will continue to play a significant role in the UK markets" in the future. The newly negotiated agreement between the UK and the EU will provide a proper framework for these business relations.

December 30, 2020

Selmayr and Beste Meet to Discuss German EU Council Presidency

Ralf Beste, Germany's ambassador to Austria, and his fellow countryman Martin Selmayr, representative of the European Commission in Austria, met to discuss the year of 2020 and the German Presidency of the EU Council, which will be ending on December 31. Both politicians underlined the importance of the European Union in finding solutions for international problems.

December 29, 2020

Austria Supports Montenegro By Providing Care for Covid-19 Patient

After an offer by Foreign Minister Schallenberg at the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, Montenegro has made use of Austria's proposal to take over the care Covid-19 patients in need of intensive medical treatment. A 46-year old male patient has been transferred to a hospital in Klagenfurt and will be treated in the intensive care unit.

December 28, 2020

Brexit Agreement: Federation of Austrian Industries and WKO Welcome Agreement

With regard to the finalized Brexit negotiations, the Federation of Austrian Industries and Chamber of Commerce showed themselves relieved after the EU and the United Kingdom have finally come to an agreement which will regulate the relations between the leaving party and the member countries of the European Union starting from January 1, 2021.

December 28, 2020

German Wind Farms Sold to Austrian Energy Provider

Austria's Wien Energie managed to acquire 49 percent of the wind farm portfolio of the German Encavis in Austria. This deal will further reduce the CO2 emissions of the energy company and adds an additional 37 gigawatt hours of renewable energy for households in Vienna and the surrounding area.

December 23, 2020

Legal Certainty for British in Austria

Austria gives Britons in Austria legal certainty with regard to residence. Although the United Kingdom left the European Union at the beginning of this year, the European Union and many member countries for themselves have ensured a smooth transitions for British citizens currently residing in EU countries.

December 22, 2020

Austria Ranks Fifth in Share of Renewable Energy Sources

In a newly published report by the European statistics office Eurostat, Austria is one of the most environmental-friendly EU member countries with regard to energy sources. Austria ranks fifth in a statistics that gathers data about the share of renewable energy sources in the total gross energy consumption of a country.

December 21, 2020

North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Visited Schallenberg

North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Osmani visited Vienna and met his Austrian counterpart Schallenberg to discuss the ongoing EU accession process of his country and the Covid-19 pandemic. Both parties are eager to start negotiations about the accession as soon as possible.

December 21, 2020

Portuguese Foreign Minister Met Schallenberg

Portuguese Foreign Minister Santos Silva welcomed his Austrian counterpart Schallenberg for a working meeting in Portugal's capital Lisboa. The two ministers met prior to Portugal's upcoming EU Presidency to discuss the key issues that will be addressed during that time. These include the transatlantic relations as well as relations with the African continent, accession negotiations with Western Balkan countries and the social and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

December 14, 2020 · Updated: December 21, 2020; 10:55

Sobotka Supports North Macedonia's Path to EU

Talat Xhaferi, President of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, met virtually with his Austrian counterpart Wolfgang Sobotka to discuss the accession negotiation of North Macedonia with the EU, the terrorist attack in Vienna and the developments of the Covid-19 pandemic in both countries.

December 2, 2020 · Updated: December 21, 2020; 10:55

Czech President of the Parliament Met Sobotka

The Czech and Austrian Presidents of the Parliaments, Vondráček and Sobotka, met virtually to discuss the experiences of the pandemic and EU topics, such as the accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, the EU's financial framework and the EU budget negotiations.

December 1, 2020 · Updated: December 21, 2020; 10:55

Swiss National Council President Aebi Met Sobotka

The Swiss National Council President Andreas Aebi and his Austrian counterpart Wolfgang Sobotka met virtually for a first exchange. Aebi, who is in office since December 2019, and Sobotka talked about the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, vaccination strategies and the relations between the EU and Switzerland.

December 18, 2020

EUR 2.4 Million for Covid-19 Vaccine in Developing Countries

In the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, Austria will be supporting the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines in a total of 92 developing countries. Foreign Minister Schallenberg warns that the crisis has underlined the "inequalities and fragilities within the community of states" and therefore demands an international approach regarding Covid-19 vaccination.

December 17, 2020

City of Vienna Supports Aid for Moria

The City of Vienna has agreed on supporting the refugees in Moria and Lesvos with financial aid. EUR 300,000 will be distributed among three non-governmental organizations, which will then provide immediate assistance for those, who currently live under extreme conditions in the refugee camps.

December 16, 2020

Austria Helps: Covid-19 Accelerates Global Crises

The Austrian government has decided to increase its funding for the Foreign Disaster Fund and the Austrian Development Agency, which are both responding to ongoing crises in the world. In total, the two programs will be able to help people in need with over EUR 175 million in 2021, an increase of almost EUR 40 million compared to 2020.

December 15, 2020

New Music Director for Volksoper

The Volksoper Wien will have a new music director as of September 2022. Together with the recently announced new opera director Lotte de Beer, Omer Meir Wellber wants to "make the Volksoper one of the most exciting European music theaters". Both De Beer and Wellber bring a lot of experience to their new jobs in Vienna.

December 11, 2020

International Visitor Leadership Program Celebrates 80th Anniversary

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program, celebrates its 80th anniversary. The program has opened doors for more than 225,000 participants from all over the globe and has connected current and emerging leaders to US culture and society.

December 9, 2020

Russia's and Austria's Health Minister Discuss Covid-19 Situation

Michail Muraschko, Russia's Minister for Health, and his Austrian counterpart, Rudolf Anschober, met virtually to discuss the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has had far-reaching effects on both countries. As a result of the meeting, the ministers agreed on the establishment of Covid-19 related working groups.

December 4, 2020

EU Multilateral Christmas Gala in Vienna

Vienna will be the host city of the EU Multilateral Christmas Gala taking place on December 19. The follow-up concert of the "TOGETHER as ONE" event in May will include a special and unique arrangement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony recorded live from the Schlosstheater Schönbrunn.

December 2, 2020

Schallenberg Honors Outstanding Intercultural Projects

Austria's Foreign Ministry honored international intercultural projects in the categories of sustainability, current events, innovation, media, and integration. The prizes went to organizations from France, Kosovo, Indonesia, Poland and Austria, which all played a significant role in impacting communities in the respective countries.

November 30, 2020