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

European Ministers of Serbia and Austria Emphasize the Importance of Relations

During her working visit to Belgrade, Austrian Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler met with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and her ministerial colleague Tanja Miščević.

May 22, 2023

Austrian Foreign Minister Summons Hungarian Ambassador

Diplomatic tensions arise as Hungary's early release of convicted human traffickers causes concern in Vienna. Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said in Brussels that the Hungarian ambassador would be brought to the Foreign Ministry because of the controversy over the release of migrant traffickers.

May 22, 2023

International Soldiers' Pilgrimage to Lourdes: Austrian Military Delegation for Peace

The 63rd International Soldiers' Pilgrimage to Lourdes is taking place under the motto "Let us build a church here". An Austrian delegation led by Military Bishop Werner Freistetter traveled to France with 289 pilgrims.

May 21, 2023

Diplomats Express Support for IDAHOBIT 2023: Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Gender Equality

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria and the diplomatic missions of several states, as well as organizations, have honored May 17 as the International Day against Homophobia, Biophobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). In a joint statement, they express their support for diversity and inclusion.

May 18, 2023

High-Level Meeting Between US and China Held in Vienna

After a prolonged period of silence between the US and China, a high-level meeting took place amid significant tensions. President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, met with China's top foreign policy official, Wang Yi, in Vienna.

May 15, 2023

Ukrainian Oligarch Dmytro Firtash Hiding in Vienna Faces Gas Purchase Manipulation Case

Dmytro Firtash, an oligarch who has lived in Vienna since 2014 and is linked to a U.S. extradition request, and eight other managers of gas companies in Ukraine controlled by Firtash have now been officially declared defendants in a criminal case.

May 15, 2023

Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Attends Gymnich Meeting

At the Gymnich meeting in Stockholm in May 2023, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg focused on the discussion of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU's relations with China.

May 15, 2023

Austrian Business Leaders and Government Officials Discuss Economic Ties with South Korea

The President of Austrian Chamber of Commerce Harald Mahrer welcomed South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. South Korea will be a global hotspot for future technologies of central importance for Austria.

May 14, 2023

India and Austria Sign Migration and Mobility Agreement

In a significant development, Austria and India have signed a comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership agreement to strengthen cooperation on legal migration and repatriation.

May 14, 2023

Meet the Permanent Representative of China to the International Organizations in Vienna

Li Song, China's permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Li Song, the permanent representative of the People's Republic of China to the International Organizations in Vienna.

May 11, 2023

Political Support for Southern Hydrogen Corridor: Austria, Germany, and Italy Sign Joint Letter

The Southern Hydrogen Corridor, developed by major European transmission system operators, aims to connect North Africa, Italy, Austria, and Germany to supply important European demand clusters with competitive renewable hydrogen.

May 10, 2023

Austrian and Costa Rican Foreign Ministers Celebrate 150 Years of Diplomatic Relations

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Dr. Arnoldo André, met with his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg, to discuss a broad agenda of bilateral and multilateral issues in the context of the celebration of 150 years of diplomatic relations between both countries.

May 9, 2023

Ukrainian Human Rights Lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk Delivers Speech to Europe at Wiener Festwochen 2023

The Wiener Festwochen program begins with the Speech to Europe 2023, featuring Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian human rights lawyer and the head of the Center for Civil Liberties, the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

May 9, 2023

ICMPD Files Lawsuit Against NGO to Correct False Allegations

The conflict between the Viennese NGO SOS Balkan Route and the international organization International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) over the construction of a deportation center including a prison in the Bosnian refugee camp Lipa has a legal aftermath. ICMPD wants to correct the accusations that have made the rounds in the Austrian media.

May 9, 2023

Commemoration of Victory in Europe Day and Liberation Day in Austria

The government commemorated the liberation from National Socialism in a ceremony. The diplomatic community in Vienna also commemorated the end of the Second World War and the Liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp.

May 8, 2023

EU Commissioner Hahn Says Only a United Europe Can Succeed in a Globalized World

On the occasion of Europe Day on May 9th, the European Commission recently organized a ceremony under the motto "Europe - Together for Democracy, Peace and Sovereignty" at the Austrian Parliament. EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of Europe's global political capacity for its future success.

May 5, 2023

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and Austrian Counterpart Emphasize Close Relations and Cooperation Potential

Greece's Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias visited his Austrian counterpart for working talks in Vienna. Overall, the meeting between Greece and Austria showcased their strong cooperation and commitment to international law and cooperation in various fields.

May 5, 2023

Austria's Foreign Disaster Fund is Increased

Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg have praised the increase of the Foreign Disaster Fund (AKF) to 77.5 million euros in 2023 before the Council of Ministers.

May 4, 2023

OSCE Experts Present Findings on Child Abductions in Ukraine to Permanent Council

A recent report by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) demonstrates that practices that violate international humanitarian law have been used in the abduction of Ukrainian children to areas controlled by Russia, or even as far away as Russia itself. OSCE experts were tasked to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible violations of OSCE commitments and possible cases of war crimes.

May 4, 2023

OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration: Promoting Peaceful Dispute Resolution

The OSCE Court of Arbitration is an important institution within the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and recently the President and Vice-President of the OSCE Court met with the leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to further strengthen it. But what is the OSCE Court of Arbitration and why is it important?

May 3, 2023

Trilateral Meeting Discussed Energy Transition and Energy Innovation

A trilateral conference was held at the Technical University of Vienna, where Italian, French, and Austrian energy actors discussed the topics of energy innovation and the energy transition. The discussion panels included topics such as the role of gas and nuclear power in European decarbonization, the importance of renewable energy sources, and the potential of solar energy in Europe.

May 3, 2023

Turkish Community in Vienna Criticizes Türkiye's Media Freedom on International Press Freedom Day

As the world marks International Press Freedom Day on May 3, Austria's media landscape faces a serious threat to its diversity, despite slight improvements in the Press Freedom Index. Meanwhile, Türkiye's media freedom is in a dire state, with journalists and opposition voices facing increasing pressure and imprisonment under Erdogan's AKP government, according to the Turkish Cultural Community in Austria (TKG).

May 3, 2023

New Deputy Director at the Austrian Centre for Peace

Eva Huber has recently been appointed as the new deputy director of the Austrian Centre for Peace (ACP), succeeding Lukas Wank, who has left the institute to pursue new endeavors. The appointment of Huber to the ACP is a noteworthy development in the organization's ongoing efforts to promote peace, justice, and human rights worldwide.

May 3, 2023

Austrian President Van der Bellen Welcomes Slovenia's First Female President on Inaugural Visit

The new Slovenian President, Nataša Pirc Musar, paid her inaugural visit to Vienna, where she was welcomed by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen with military honors. "It is an honor to receive today in Vienna the first female head of state of Slovenia," Van der Bellen said.

May 2, 2023

Experience the World through Lenses: Ethnocineca 2023 International Documentary Film Festival Vienna

The Ethnocineca International Documentary Film Festival will again present 48 feature-length and short films from 41 countries, including 35 Austrian premieres and one world premiere, from May 4-11, 2023.

May 2, 2023

German-Speaking Foreign Ministers Discuss International Trouble Spots in Salzburg

The German-speaking Foreign Ministers Alexander Schallenberg from Austria, Annalena Baerbock from Germany, Dominique Hasler from Liechtenstein, Jean Asselborn from Luxembourg, and Ignazio Cassis from Switzerland met to discuss global and European challenges.

May 2, 2023

City Administrations in Focus: Vienna Conference on Human Resources

Demographic development, inflation, and international crises have an impact on all areas of our lives and bring new challenges for cities. Particularly in the area of human resources, cities must adapt to changing conditions and find new ways to attract and retain qualified personnel.

May 2, 2023

Space Diplomacy: International Space Partnership Funding by the UK Space Agency

In support of international partnerships, the UK Space Agency is launching a £20 million fund to leverage the UK's strengths, support new capabilities, and catalyze investment.

April 26, 2023

Trilateral Working Meeting Between Foreign Ministers of Slovenia, Croatia and Austria

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met his counterpart from Croatia Gordan Radman and his counterpart from Slovenia Tanja Fajon in Rijeka, Croatia, for a trilateral working meeting. The talks focused on the economic interdependence of the three countries and good neighborly relations, but Schallenberg blocked Slovenian wishes to open borders.

April 26, 2023

Austria Foreign Minister Schallenberg Travelled to Luxembourg for EU Meeting

Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg traveled to Luxembourg for the Foreign Affairs Council. The meeting of EU foreign ministers focused on the fierce fighting in Sudan, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and its global impact, and the situation in Iran.

April 25, 2023

Tax Burden in Austria Still High According to OECD

According to a study conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), taxes and duties for Austrian employees continue to be high in international comparison.

April 25, 2023

Austrian Armed Forces in Global NATO Cyber Drill "Locked Shields 23"

This year, an Austrian team is once again taking part in NATO's largest military cyber defense exercise. The specialists will practice protecting information and communication technology systems and critical infrastructures against cyber attacks.

April 24, 2023

Austria May Step In to Chair the OSCE According to the Media

Russia has been opposing Estonia's leadership of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2024 for months. Citing diplomatic circles, it was reported that the Austrian Foreign Ministry (BMEIA) was considering stepping in for the rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Vienna.

April 24, 2023

New Austrian Award for Champions of Regional Cooperation

In recognition of Erhard Busek's tireless commitment to bringing the countries of Eastern and Southeastern Europe closer to the European Union, the Austrian Foreign Ministry, together with the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the successor organization to the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe headed by Erhard Busek from 2002 to 2008, is offering the Champion of Regional Integration Erhard Busek Award.

April 23, 2023

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Pejčinović Burić visiting Vienna

Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić met the Austrian President and key ministers and personalities during an official visit to Austria. Among others, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg received the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić for a working meeting in Vienna.

April 23, 2023

Meet the New Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations in Vienna

Pablo Berti Oliva, Cuba's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador, Pablo Berti Oliva, the new permanent representative of the Republic of Cuba to the International Organizations in Vienna and Ambassador to Austria.

April 19, 2023

French Order Awarded to Austrian General Robert Brieger

French Ambassador to Austria Gilles Pécout awarded Austria's General and Chairman of the European Union Military Committee Robert Brieger the Commander's Badge of the French Legion of Honor on behalf of the French President at a ceremony Tuesday at the French Embassy in Vienna.

April 18, 2023

Polish President Says that We Should Not Be Afraid of Russia

Polish President Andrzej Duda met with Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in Vienna. There he assured further military support for Ukraine

April 18, 2023

Austria's Chancellery Has New Presidential Head

The Federal Chancellery has a new presidential head. Andreas Grad replaces Bernd Brünner as Secretary General in the Chancellor's Office.

April 18, 2023

European Anti-Semitism Conference in Vienna

Anti-Semitism is still widespread in Europe and must be curbed. The European conference on anti-Semitism is taking place in Vienna for the second time.

April 17, 2023

Austrian World Heritage Day Presents UNESCO World Heritage

The joint action day of the Austrian World Heritage Sites takes place on and around April 18 and invites you to rediscover the 12 United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites.

April 17, 2023

Minister Schallenberg Discussed Earthquake Aid and the Russian Aggression with Turkish Foreign Minister

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg welcomed Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Vienna. Together they discussed – among other topics - the Russian aggression on Ukraine, and aid for the earthquake victims in Türkiye.

April 16, 2023

New Chinese Ambassador Held Welcome Reception at Vienna International Center

The new permanent representative of the People's Republic of China to the international organizations in Vienna, Li Song, held a Welcome Reception at the Vienna International Center.

April 13, 2023

French Association "Les Raideurs Fous" Visits Vienna

For 15 years now, the Cité Scolaire of Bischwiller in Alsace has been organizing an annual long-distance mountain bike trip for students of the André Maurois high school, always to a different capital city. This year it was Vienna.

April 13, 2023

Schallenberg Doubles Down on Edtstadlers Statement about Putin

Austrian Europe and Constitution Minister Karoline Edtstadler said yesterday that if Russian President Vladimir Putin comes to Austria, he will be arrested. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg confirmed those statements today.

April 12, 2023

Science Museum Vienna: 150 Years Women's Pavilion of the Vienna World's Fair

Starting next month, the Vienna Museum of Science and Technology will present an anniversary show focusing on women's work, referring to 150 years of the Women's Pavilion at the Vienna World's Fair.

April 12, 2023

Austrian Parliament Taking a Stand For LGBTIQ Diversity

Under the motto "No democracy without diversity!", the LGBTIQ Intergroup of the Parliament hosted a reception. The focus was on measures to improve the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex, transgender, and queer people in Austria.

April 12, 2023

Viennese NGO Accuses ICMPD of Building Austrian Guantanamo

Plans for the Lipa refugee camp in Bosnia-Herzegovina have recently caused a stir. A deportation center with a prison is to be built at the facility, which is to be built in 2020, according to reports. At the same time, the NGO SOS Balkan Route raised the accusation that Austria was co-financing the construction of the prison; media reports named the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), headed by former Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger, as a partner in the project.

April 11, 2023

Interior Minister Karner at a Meeting in Slovenia against the Trafficking Mafia

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner traveled to Slovenia for a meeting with his Slovenian counterpart, Bostjan Poklukar. The subject of the meeting was combating the trafficking mafia.

April 3, 2023

Russia Must Be Held Accountable for Its War Crimes, Says Schallenberg

Exactly one year after the liberation of Bucha, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has spoken in a video statement at the Bucha Summit in Kyiv, condemning the massacres committed by the Russian Army.

April 3, 2023