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

Minister for European Affairs Edtstadler: Inaugural Visit to Brussels

During her inaugural visit to Brussels, the new European Affairs Minister Karoline Edtstadler met members of the EU Commission as well as the Special Representative for the Fight against Anti-Semitism, Katharina von Schnurbein. In the course of her talks with EU Neighbourhood Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, Edtstadler stressed that "Austria remains committed to the rapid start of EU accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania".

January 23, 2020

Austrian Airlines: Passenger Record, Eight New Destinations and Fleet Concentration in Vienna

The Lufthansa subsidiary registered a record 14.7 million passengers last year. A new promising US route to Boston and seven additional destinations to Rome, Barcelona, Birmingham, Nuremberg. Zadar, Kavala and Samos are on the agenda for 2020.

January 21, 2020

Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from Japan, Croatia, El Salvador, Somalia, Andorra and Nicaragua

Last week Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the six newly accredited Ambassadors of Japan, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of El Salvador, the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Principality of Andorra and the Republic of Nicaragua to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.

January 20, 2020

Meet the New Ambassador of Japan, H.E. Mr. Akira Mizutani

The new Ambassador of Japan to Austria, H.E. Mr. Akira Mizutani presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

January 20, 2020

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador, H.E. Ms. Julia Emma Villatoro Tario

The new Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador to Austria, H.E. Ms. Julia Emma Villatoro Tario presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg. She already held the position of Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of El Salvador to Austria and Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna from 2010-2011.

January 20, 2020

Meet the New Ambassador of Nicaragua, H.E. Mr. Carlos Ernesto Morales Dávila

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua to Austria, H.E. Mr. Carlos Ernesto Morales Dávila presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

January 19, 2020

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Mr. Daniel Glunčić

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Croatiato Austria, H.E. Mr. Daniel Glunčić presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

January 19, 2020

Traditional New Year Reception for the Diplomatic Corps in Vienna

The Federal President's Reception for the Diplomatic Corps annually gathers all diplomatic representatives in Vienna in the Ceremonial Hall of the Hofburg.

January 17, 2020

Meet the New Ambassador of Somalia, H.E. Ms. Ebyan Mahamed Salah

The new Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to Austria, H.E. Ms. Ebyan Mahamed Salah presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

January 17, 2020

War in Iran: Austria for EU Mediation Role

In view of the tense situation in the Middle East, Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg pleads at a special meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels for a return to dialogue, the continuation of the nuclear agreement and a possible mediation role for the EU.

January 10, 2020

Aircraft Crash: Austrian Airlines Cancels Tehran Flights

Austrian Airlines flights to the Iranian capital are cancelled for the time being. The reason is the unclear security situation in Iranian airspace.

January 10, 2020

Foreign Ministry Advises Against Travelling to Iran

There is currently no official travel warning from the Austrian Foreign Ministry, although it advises against travel that is not absolutely necessary.

January 10, 2020

Egyptian Ms. Ghada Fathi Waly Appointed Executive Director of United Nations Agency UNODC

The United Nations announced the appointment of Ghada Fathi Waly of Egypt as the next Executive Director of the Vienna based United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Ms. Waly will also serve as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV). She succeeds Yury Fedotov of the Russian Federation.

December 20, 2019

Austria in Favour of Maintaining Sanctions against Russia

The sanctions against Russia will be extended for a further six months. Although positive developments have been identified, they were not enough to lift the sanctions.

December 12, 2019

High-Level Delegation in Vienna ahead of Parliamentary Elections in Uzbekistan

The Chairman of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Uzbek Senate, Alisher Kurmanov, and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Dilshod Akhatov, were received in the Hofburg by the President of the Federal Council, Karl Bader. The talks focused on bilateral economic relations and the forthcoming elections in Uzbekistan on 22 December this year.

December 6, 2019

Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from Australia, Israel, UAE, Kenya, Cuba and Libya

Recently Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the six newly accredited Ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates, the Commonwealth of Australia, the State of Israel, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Cuba and the State of Libya to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.

December 3, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Austria, H.E. Ms. Loipa Sánchez Lorenzo

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Austria, H.E. Ms. Loipa Sánchez Lorenzo presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

December 3, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of the State of Libya to Austria, H.E. Mr. Jalal E. A. Alashi

The new Ambassador of the State of Libya to Austria, H.E. Mr. Jalal E. A. Alashi presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

December 3, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Mr. Robinson Njeru Githae

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to Austria, H.E. Mr. Robinson Njeru Githae presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

December 3, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of the State of Israel, H.E. Mr. Mordechai Denis Paul Rodgold

The new Ambassador of the State of Israel to Austria, H.E. Mr. Mordechai Denis Paul Rodgold presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

December 2, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Australia, H.E. Mr. Richard Travers Sadleir

The new Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Australia to Austria, H.E. Mr. Richard Travers Sadleir presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

December 2, 2019

Meet the New Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, H.E. Ibrahim Salim Mohamed Al Musharrakh

The new Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Austria, H.E. Ibrahim Salim Mohamed Al Musharrakh presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg. He is also non-resident ambassador to Hungary, the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Slovenia.

December 2, 2019

Grand Opening of the Austro-American Society

At the opening of the renovated premises of the Austro-American Society (ÖAG - Österreichisch-Amerikanische Gesellschaft) in Vienna's Stallburggasse, Chancellor Bierlein, US Ambassador Trevor Traina and live from Washington D.C., Austria's new ambassador to the USA, Martin Weiss congratulated, among others.

November 21, 2019

Viennese Honour for George Soros the Donor of the Central European University

The investor, philanthropist and sponsor of the CEU Central European University, George Soros, has been awarded the Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the Province of Vienna.

November 19, 2019

Upward Trend in Foreign Trade Between Uzbekistan and Austria

With 33 million inhabitants, Uzbekistan is the most populous country and Austria's second largest export destination in Central Asia.

November 18, 2019

Schallenberg in St. Petersburg: Art, Culture and Human Rights

Alexander Schallenberg travelled to Saint Petersburg to sign a declaration with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Medinsky on the programme of the "Year of Literature and Theatre Austria".

November 18, 2019

EXPO 2020 Dubai: Groundbreaking Ceremony at the Austria Pavilion

Preparations are in full swing for the first world exhibition in an Arab country. The construction phase of the Austria Pavilion has also begun.

November 18, 2019

OPEC Headquarters Vienna: World Oil Market Outlook 2019 Launched

OPEC's Chief Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo released its 2019 World Oil Outlook, in which the OPEC states that the oil market may have upside potential in 2020.

November 17, 2019

Another Electric Rental Scooter Has Arrived in Vienna

"Emmy", a Berlin-based start-up and electric scooter sharing company is rolling into Austria. The scooters are now also available for short-term rental in Vienna in addition to major German cities. Further Austrian cities are to follow.

November 15, 2019

Extradition of Oligarch Firtash to United States Remains "Suspended"

Although Austria has already agreed to the extradition of Dmytro Firtash, the latter may remain in Austria, as the resumption application submitted by his lawyers has a suspensive effect. During the meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Vadym Prystaiko, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg was confronted with the question of the state of affairs regarding Dmytro Firtash.

November 14, 2019

Ukraine: Schallenberg Meets New Ukrainian Foreign Minister Prystaiko

During his visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev, Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met the new Ukrainian counterpart Vadym Prystaiko, and highlighted the good bilateral relations between the two countries.

November 14, 2019 · Updated: November 14, 2019; 16:09

Security Gaps in the Austrian Secret Service

The security safeguards of the Austrian secret service BVT (Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterterrorism) were reviewed by their British (MI5) and German (BfV) peers and serious deficiencies were identified (Security assessment of BVT), as reported by the local media ORF, "Österreich" and Ö1. Specifically, this involves four security risks.

November 12, 2019

Paris Peace Forum: "Protecting Civilians in Populated Areas"

At the Peace Forum, Austrian Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein met French President Emmanuel Macron, several Heads of State and Government and directors of international organisations. She also presented the initiative "Protecting Civilians in Populated Areas".

November 12, 2019

Repatriation: Round-Table with Representatives of African Embassies at the Ministry of the Interior

Embassy representatives from French-speaking African countries, representatives of the French Office for Immigration and Integration and representatives of the Austrian Ministry of the Interior met in Vienna to strengthen cooperation in the field of return and reintegration.

November 12, 2019

Prorussian Alexander Lukashenko Meets Van der Bellen

The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in office since 1994 (now in his fifth term of office), was received by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen during an official visit with military honours.

November 12, 2019

Nuclear Deal: Austria Disappointed at Iran's Behaviour

The result of a meeting of the Council of EU Foreign Ministers on regional developments in the Gulf States and Iran is to get Iran to comply again with the agreements of the Vienna Agreement.

November 12, 2019

Austria Acquires Extraordinary Estate of Star Photographer Yoichi Okamoto

The Austrian National Library recently scored a special coup by purchasing the personal photographic estate of Yoichi R. Okamoto. The Japanese-American, who was promoted to official photographer of the White House under President Lyndon B. Johnson, was head of the American photography service in Austria from 1948 to 1954 and thus had the opportunity to capture post-war Austria directly with his camera.

November 7, 2019

Martin Weiss Accredited as New Austrian Ambassador in the United States

The newly appointed Austrian Ambassador Martin Weiss presented the copies of his credentials to U.S. Chief of Protocol Cam Henderson.

November 7, 2019

Reopening of the Vienna Office of the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation

200 guests celebrated the opening of the new office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation in Vienna at the Grand Hotel on Kärtner Ring. The presence in Vienna should strengthen multilateralism and strengthen functioning partnerships with serious democracies. Claudia Crawford becomes head of the Vienna office.

November 7, 2019

Current Austrian Ambassador to Israel to Become Top Diplomat in the United States

Ambassador Martin Weiss, the current Ambassador in Tel Aviv and former Speaker of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, will become the new Austrian Ambassador in Washington D.C., USA.

January 24, 2019 · Updated: November 7, 2019; 09:12

French "Ordre National du Mérite" Awarded to Major General Dorfer

François Saint-Paul, French Ambassador to Austria, has elevated Major General Martin Dorfer, Director in the Cabinet of the Minister of Defence, to the rank of Knight of the French National Order of Merit "Ordre National du Mérite".

November 6, 2019

Austro-Arab Chamber Secretary General Receives “Decoration of Merit in Gold of the Province of Vienna”

The AACC Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce in Vienna announced that Secretary General Dipl.-Ing. Mr. Mouddar Khouja was awarded the "Decoration of Merit in Gold of the Province of Vienna", in recognition of his dedication and devotement to the province of Vienna through his personal initiatives and in his professional capacity as Secretary General of AACC.

November 4, 2019

Argentine Ambassador to Austria Rafael Grossi Appointed New IAEA Director General

Ambassador Rafael Mariano Grossi is set to take office as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency in early December, following his appointment to the post by the Agency’s Board of Governors.

November 1, 2019

30th Anniversary Celebrations of Austro- Arab Chamber of Commerce

The AACC Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce held a gala in the ballroom of the Vienna City Hall on the occasion of its 30th anniversary and on the occasion of the 11th Arab-Austrian Economic Forum & Exhibition.

October 25, 2019

Austria Connect Greater China: Digital Transformation and Tomorrow's Customers

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong hosts the largest Chinese-Austrian networking event in Asia.

October 22, 2019

Enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in the Presence of Van der Bellen

Guests from around 200 countries attended the ceremony of the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in the Japanese Imperial Palace in Tokyo, including Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Doris Schmidauer.

October 22, 2019

Belgrade and Vienna Sign Cooperation Agreement

Not only the Danube connects Vienna with the Serbian capital Belgrade, but now also a new city cooperation agreement with a focus on urban development, affordable housing, smart city, digitisation, open government and culture.

October 21, 2019

Counter-Terrorism in the Focus of UN and Interparliamentary Cooperation

Reinhold Lopatka elected Chairman of the High-Level Advisory Group on Combating Terrorism and Violent Extremism.

October 21, 2019

Celebration of the Imperial Accession to the Throne in Tokyo with Van der Bellen

President Van der Bellen takes part in the ceremony for the accession of the new "Tenno", Emperor Naruhito, to the throne in Tokyo and in the bilateral economic forum "Austria Connect Japan". Other items on the agenda include talks with the Presidents of Georgia and Estonia.

October 21, 2019

How to Marry an Austrian Millionaire?

According to Credit Suisse's Global Wealth Report published today, 4.4 percent or 313,000 of Austrians are dollar millionaires, and each adult Austrian has an average of 247,000 euros ($274,919) in assets.

October 21, 2019