Sponsored Content
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
How North Macedonia Learns from Austria - Best Practices on the Topic of Equal Treatment
During a visit of the delegations of the Macedonian Ministry of the Interior and the OSCE Mission Skopje to the Federal Ministry of the Interior in Vienna, representatives of all sides exchanged views on the subject of equal treatment.
July 4, 2019
Austria Looks Forward to Collaboration with New EU Parliament President Sassoli
Congratulations come from the Austrian Parliament. National Council President Sobotka and Second National Council President Bures congratulate David Sassoli on his election and look forward to working with the European Parliament.
July 4, 2019
Austria Adopts Cultural Agreement with Ukraine
The Austrian National Council has decided on a cultural agreement with Ukraine, which is intended to strengthen cultural cooperation.
July 4, 2019
Austrian Foreign Ministry - Diplomatic Excursion 2019 to Lake Neusiedl
Foreign diplomats and heads of international organisations in Austria were invited by the BMEIA Federal Ministry for Europe Integration and Foreign Affairs to the annual summer excursion to Burgenland (Diplomatenausflug 2019).
July 3, 2019
Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Austria
Italy's President Sergio Mattarella was on a two-day state visit to Austria. The main topics discussed were Sea Watch 3, South Tyrol and the situation of the European Union after the elections.
July 3, 2019
Schallenberg Represents Austria in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg travelled to Geneva on the occasion of the current meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Last year Austria was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2019 to 2021.
July 2, 2019
Meinl Bank Rebranding - Anglo Austrian Bank Launches with Negative Result of EUR 4.5 Mio
As part of a rebranding, Meinl Bank of Julius Meinl V (59) has renamed itself Anglo Austrian Bank and is relaunching its operations in Vienna with 49 employees in order to respond to the increased demand for qualified asset management in the countries of the former Danube Monarchy and to provide clients with a bridge to the countries and financial markets of Western Europe.
June 28, 2019
Iran: Last Chance to Save Nuclear Deal Failed in Vienna
The latest round of negotiations to save the nuclear agreement with Iran has remained unresolved in Vienna. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted after the meeting, which lasted several hours, that despite some progress made at the meeting, Iran would probably continue on its path towards a partial withdrawal from the nuclear programme.
June 28, 2019
Uber Ridesharing Threatens to Retreat from Austria
The US transportation network company Uber wants to mobilise against the taxi and rental car reform in Austria with a petition. The new law would be a setback for Austria in several respects. If the new law is passed on 3 July, we will no longer be able to offer services such as UberX, according to a statement by Uber.
June 27, 2019
Marathon Under Two Hours - World Record Holder Kipchoge Wants to Break Barrier in Vienna
The marathon Olympic champion and world record holder, the Kenyan long-distance runner Eliud Kipchoge, wants to run the marathon in less than 2 hours in Vienna in October, thus cutting his current record of 2:01:39 hours by an impossible 2 minutes.
June 27, 2019
Improving Brazilian-Austrian Relations in Science and Research
A new scientific and technological cooperation agreement with Brazil aims to promote bilateral relations in the field of science and research.
June 27, 2019
46% Fewer Asylum Applications in Austria
13,375 asylum applications were received in Austria last year - 46% less than in 2017 (24,715). A total of 664,480 applications for international protection were filed in the EU (including Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein) in 2018. The number of asylum applications in Austria and the EU has thus declined for the third year in a row and has returned to pre-crisis levels.
June 27, 2019
Oligarch Firtash May Be Extradited to the USA
The Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash may be extradited from Austria to the USA. The Supreme Court of Justice of Austria (OGH) confirmed a corresponding ruling of the Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG) and dismissed both a nullity appeal of the General Procurator's Office and a renewal application by Firtash's defense counsel. The decision as to whether Firtash will actually be extradited lies now with the new Austrian Minister of Justice, Clemens Jabloner.
June 25, 2019
Strengthening Comprehensive Security in the OSCE Area
The OSCE’s Annual Security Review Conference in Vienna will discuss state of play of co-operation on comprehensive security in Europe and beyond.
June 25, 2019
First Visit Abroad Leads Foreign Minister Schallenberg to Finland
His first bilateral trip abroad took Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg to Helsinki. The trip focused not only on European policy issues but also on the EU Presidency, which Finland will take over on 1 July 2019.
June 25, 2019
Massive Slump in Austrian Exports to Iran
Trade between Iran and Austria is shrinking. Austrian exports to Iran fell by 11.1 % in 2018, as the Foreign Trade Centre Tehran of the Chamber of Commerce reported. In addition, a further decline is expected after the negative GDP growth in 2018/2019. In addition, there are fears of a further currency decline of the rial and rising inflation.
June 24, 2019
Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg at EU Foreign Affairs Council for the First Time
In Luxembourg, Federal Minister Alexander Schallenberg represented Austria for the first time at the FAC Foreign Affairs Council and the Council of the European Union.
June 21, 2019
Austrian Parliament: Termination of EU Accession Negotiations with Turkey, Extension of Sanctions against Russia
In a statement to the government, the EU Main Committee of the Austrian National Council has unanimously spoken out in favour of breaking off EU accession negotiations with Turkey. Instead, the parliamentary groups believe that a strategic partnership should be sought.
June 21, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the Holy See to Austria: H.E. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Dr. Pedro Lopéz Quintana
The new Ambassador of of the Holy See to Austria, H.E. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Dr. Pedro Lopéz Quintana presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
June 20, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay to Austria: H.E. Mr. Juan Francisco Facetti
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Paraguay to Austria, H.E. Mr. Juan Francisco Facetti presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
June 20, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Austria: H.E. Ms. Morakot Sriswasdi
The new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Austria, H.E. Ms. Morakot Sriswasdi presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
June 20, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador to Austria: H.E. Mr. Roberto Betancourt Ruales
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador to Austria, H.E. Mr. Roberto Betancourt Ruales presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
June 20, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of Greece to Austria: H.E. Ms. Catherine Koika
The new Ambassador of Greece to Austria, H.E. Ms. Catherine Koika presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with her letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
June 20, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Austria: H.E. Mr. Baker Fattah Hussen
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Austria, H.E. Mr. Baker Fattah Hussen presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
June 20, 2019
Albania and North Macedonia: No EU Accession Negotiations for the Time Being, but Austria Still in Favor of It
The decision to start accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia was postponed. Several EU states are blocking enlargement in the Balkans. The EU committee of the Austrian Federal Council demands that the Western Balkans become part of the EU. The Austrian Federation of Trade Unions, on the other hand, warns against hasty new admissions.
June 20, 2019
Elisabeth Gürtler Receives United States Friendship Award
Austrian entrepreneur Elisabeth Gürtler-Mauthner (69) received the Cultural Icon Award in acknowledgement of her achievements and long friendship with the United States of America from US Ambassador Trevor Traina.
June 20, 2019
German Road Toll Discriminates Against Foreigners - ECJ
The German car toll violates EU law. This was decided by the European Court of Justice in a ruling. This levy is discriminatory, since its economic burden lies practically exclusively on the owners and drivers of vehicles registered in other member states. In Austria, the ruling is received with great pleasure, as the country has won the case through its infringement proceedings.
June 18, 2019
Get to Know Austria's New Minister of Defence Thomas Starlinger
Thomas Starlinger (56) is an Austrian officer (Major General), consultant and politician. He is regarded as a proponent of a professional army. Most recently, he worked as an adjutant to Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, who also appointed him Federal Minister of Defence on 3 June 2019.
June 18, 2019
New Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Took Office
Austria is and remains a reliable partner in the world and in Europe, stressed the new Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in his first speech to the Austrian National Council. Since developments at the international level are continuing and important decisions are pending, he said that what is needed most of all now is "a sense of proportion to what is possible, trust, reliability and stability".
June 17, 2019
Closure of Controversial King Abdullah Center in Vienna Decided
The Austrian National Council has decided to close the King Abdullah Centre in Vienna. The KAICIID - King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, which is largely financed by Saudi Arabia, has long been controversial. The imminent death sentence of 18-year-old Murtaja Qureiris in Saudi Arabia was the immediate cause. The majority decision of parliament must now be implemented by the Foreign Ministry under Alexander Schallenberg. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) spoke out in favour of a new centre under the auspices of the UN.
June 13, 2019
Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of India to Austria: H.E. Ms. Renu Pall
Renu Pall is the Ambassador of India to Austria and Montenegro, and Permanent Representative of India to the International Organizations in Vienna since February 2017.
February 7, 2017 · Updated: June 13, 2019; 13:44
In Vino Veritas: Wine in Ancient Egypt
Wine has always been a drink for gods and people. The noble drink was just like today an important economic good and stimulant and possessed besides a large religious and cultic meaning. Also in the country at the Nile it was already early professionally produced and enjoyed generously. Under the title "In vino veritas. Wein im alten Ägypten", the Papyrus Museum of the Austrian National Library presents more than 70 fascinating exhibits, up to 3,000 years old, on viticulture and wine enjoyment.
June 13, 2019
Business and Networking Event at the Embassy of India in Vienna
The Embassy of India in Vienna hosted a business talk and networking session with the purpose to bring together Austrian companies having business interest in India and to provide them with a platform to share their experiences and to provide answers to their queries.
June 12, 2019
Celebrate the International Day of Yoga by Exercising
The Indian Embassy in Vienna invites all Yoga enthusiasts to the free International Day of Yoga 2019 in the Vienna Stadtpark. In addition, the United Nations in Vienna invites all yoga fans to "Yoga with Gurus", followed by a panel discussion.
June 12, 2019
Cooperation of the Metropolises Hamburg, Vienna and Zurich
The three German-speaking cities of Hamburg, Vienna and Zurich want to cooperate more closely in their sustainable development within the framework of a city trialogue in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
June 12, 2019
Potential President of the EU Commission Michel Barnier Met Top of New Austrian Government
Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier was in Vienna to meet several members of the new government, including Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. Officially, the Brexit negotiations were the focus of the talks, however, unofficially Barnier repeatedly shows interest as Jean-Claude Juncker's successor in the office of EU Commission President.
June 11, 2019
Global Compact for Migration: Top UN Refugee Agency Diplomat Volker Türk at the Kreisky Forum
Austria's top diplomat in the UNHCR, a United Nations Programme, the international law expert Dr. Volker Türk has made an appeal to governments, NGOs and individuals to rethink refugee protection and to implement the UN Global Compact for Refugees adopted in 2018.
June 6, 2019
Austrian Top Diplomat Albert Rohan Deceased
As one of his first duties the new Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg had to inform the public about the death of one of the most distinguished diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Albert Rohan died shortly after his 83rd birthday. He had played a crucial role in shaping Austrian foreign policy in numerous international functions.
June 5, 2019
Summit of German-speaking Heads of State in Linz 2019
This year's informal meeting of German-speaking heads of state with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, King Philippe of Belgium, Federal President Ueli Maurer, Hereditary Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen took place in Linz. The main topics were current political questions from the respective countries and the future of Europe based on the results of the European elections.
June 5, 2019
Western Balkans: Austrians Demand EU Accession Negotiations Begin
After the EU Commission issued a recommendation for the opening of accession talks with the two Western Balkan states North Macedonia and Albania, the European parliamentarians of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) Karas and Mandl demand that the "promises" be kept. The decision to open accession talks will be taken by the Member States later in June.
June 5, 2019
Turkish - Austrian Diplomatic Efforts Bear Fruit
According to outgoing Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has promised in a telephone conversation to ease the Turkish blockade of Austria in the "Partnership for Peace (PfP)" programme. The PfP is a NATO program aimed at creating trust between NATO and non-NATO members.
June 3, 2019
Criticism of the Lack of Foreign and European Policy Reports
The opposition, represented by Andreas Schieder (SPÖ), criticises the fact that for the last three years the Foreign Ministers Kurz and Kneissel have not submitted any annual Foreign and European Policy Reports for the purpose of reporting on fundamental foreign policy issues.
June 3, 2019
40 Years of the UN in Vienna - The Tireless Commitment of António Guterres
UN Secretary General António Guterres completed a busy programme when he came to Vienna for the 40th anniversary celebrations and the R20 Austria World Summit. The VIC Vienna International Centre is the place where, with the help of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the 193 member states, 15 Vienna-based UN organisations and more than 5000 people from 125 countries from around the world are bound together.
May 31, 2019
Combat Climate Change - António Guterres' Remarks at the R20 Austrian World Summit
Because of climate change all around the world the sea level is rising, floods, drought, wildfires and extreme storms appear, and people are now losing their homes and being forced to migrate. Read what António Guterres had to say in Vienna after a trip to the South Pacific.
May 30, 2019
40 Years of the UN in Vienna - Guterres, Kneissl and Ludwig at Ceremony
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the VIC Vienna International Centre (UNO-City), UN Secretary General António Guterres, former Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig attended a ceremony at the Vienna headquarters of the United Nations.
May 30, 2019
Diplomats for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2019
More and more embassies, delegations and permanent representations to international organisations supported this day (IDAHOBIT), that raises awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide, as well as EuroPride 2019 in Vienna.
May 29, 2019
Amerika Haus: Rushan Abbas About Concentration Camps in Xinjiang, China
Rushan Abbas, a Uighur American whose family members have been detained in China, spoke at the Amerika Haus Wien about various human rights violations against Uyghurs in China’s Xinjiang province. In her presentation "China’s Concentration Camps in a Muted World" she pointed out, that far West China’s Uyghur people, a minority Muslim group, face a high-tech police state, cultural genocide, and mass detainment in modern concentration camps.
May 29, 2019
Head of China's Top Legislative Body in Vienna
Li Zhanshu, one of China's most powerful politicians was in Vienna and was received by Austria's central institutions despite the domestic political turbulences.
May 28, 2019
Largest Chinese Bank Opened Branch Office in Vienna
China's largest bank, ICBC - Industrial and Commercial Bank of China was officially commenced for business in Vienna. Mr. Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, who was on an official visit in Austria attended the opening ceremony of ICBC Austria Bank GmbH (ICBC Austria).
May 28, 2019
EU and UN - 40 Years Together in Vienna
Both the UN United Nations and the EU European Union celebrate their 40th anniversary in Vienna. The Delegation of the European Union to the International Organisations in Vienna was established as soon as the United Nations opened their Vienna headquarters in 1979.
May 27, 2019
Fast News Search
This category only
