Austria - International Political News

Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian foreign politics with reference to the international interest

„We Must Create A Free Trade Area with Russia“

Sebastian Kurz, Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, proposes a deepening of the economic co-operation between Russia and the EU.

April 12, 2014

Serbia’s Goal to Join EU until 2020 “Realistic”

According to former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Serbia’s aim to become a member of the European Union until 2020 is realistic.

April 11, 2014

Moldova: Urgent Call for EU-Membership

Getting out of the zone of uncertainty and instability, this is the aim of the Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca.

April 10, 2014

Nikolic: “Russia Will Never Recognize Kosovo”

In an interview with Austrian daily “Presse”, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic voiced his opinon on the political crisis on Crimea and the future about talks between Serbia and Kosovo.

April 8, 2014

More than Half of Serbians Aspire EU Membership

55 percent of the Serbian citizens are in favor of the country becoming an EU member.

April 4, 2014

Serbia: New Government to Hold EU Accession Talks Regularly

The next government of Serbia will hold sessions with regard to the EU accesssion on a regular basis, as announced by Miscevic, chief EU negotiator of Serbia.

April 3, 2014

Prague Wants to Improve Relations With Vienna

The Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Lubomír Zaorálek is visiting Austria tomorrow.

April 2, 2014

Serbia Wants to Keep Balance Between Russia and EU

Serbia´s Prime Minister Ivica Dacic does not want to stab Russia in the back. At the same time, Dacic keeps an eye on Brussels.

March 24, 2014

CEE Countries Condemn Russian Intervention in Ukraine

Foreign Ministers of the Visegrad countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary) want to strengthen the EU defense policy. Poland intensifies its military cooperation with the U.S.

March 8, 2014

Ukrainian Crisis: Czech Republic Against Sanctions

Instead of economic sanctions against Russia, diplomatic talks should de-escalate the tense situation. President Zeman wants to create a Ukrainian Federation.

March 8, 2014

„The World is Close to an Enormous Conflict“

Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk is highly concerned about the developments in Ukraine. Tusk warned insistently of an escalation of the conflict, which might entail “unforeseeable consequences”.

March 2, 2014

„EU Did Not Care About Ukraine“

Herbert Stepic, former CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International, criticizes the EU fiercely.

March 1, 2014

Austria/Ukraine: Bank Accounts of Former Leading Politicians to be Frozen

Austria imposes unilateral sanctions against 18 members of the overthrown Ukrainian regime. Among the high-ranking officals are former president Viktor Yanukovych and his son Oleksander Yanukovych.

February 28, 2014

“Sebastian Kurz is Hope for Austria“

According to Czech politician and former Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg, Kurz is intelligent, efficient and asks the right question.

February 27, 2014

Low Expectations in Nuclear Talks with Iran in Vienna

Optimism among officials about successful talks to end Iran’s nuclear program is restrained.

February 19, 2014

Croatia Supports Albania in EU Accession Course

Albania hopes that EU Accession Negotiations will take place in June 2014.

January 22, 2014

Serbia: "Kosovo Part of Whole Package"

Serbia hopes to join the union until the year 2020. The solving of the issue with Kosovo remains a key condition. Austrian Foreign Minister Kurz stresses the importance of the region becoming a part of the European Union.

January 21, 2014

Austria: Fischer Calls Upon Respect of Human Rights

At the New Year Reception for the diplomatic corps in Austria, President Heinz Fischer called upon the strict compliance to human rights.

January 20, 2014

Slovenia: Controversies over Ambassador’s Statements

Joseph Mussomeli, US ambassador to Slovenia, needs to justify himself to the Slovenian Foreign Ministry over his statements about the country’s independence.

January 17, 2014

Austria: On Verge of Losing Business Attractiveness

The new tax package does not only burden car drivers and smokers but also the economy will have to contribute to the budget with several hundreds of millions of Euros annually.

January 15, 2014

Sajdik New Chairman of UN ECOSOC

The Austrian diplomat Martin Sajdik became President of the Economic and Social Council, which is one of the most important bodies of the UN.

January 15, 2014

Hungary: Austrian Farmers Still Left in the Dark

There is still no clarification in the controversial Hungarian land law for Austrian farmers and land owners.

January 9, 2014

Serbia: FDI as Driver for Economy

Further decline in FDI could affect economic growth in the Western Balkan state. The Serbian government announced to push forward with amendmends to improve business environment and boost economic growth.

November 4, 2013

WEF: Russian Economy Needs Change in Domestic Institutional Environment

The Russian Federation is poised for transformation.

November 1, 2013

World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2014

Davos-Klosters, Switzerland 22-25 January. The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business

October 29, 2013

Serbia’s EU Accession Talks to Start in January 2014

Talks on Serbia's EU accession to start no later than January.

October 1, 2013

Croatia: Major Reforms Required for Economic Upturn

Croatia continues to suffer from recession - its economy has not grown since 2008, contracting in 2012 by 2% and in 2013 by 1%.

September 26, 2013

Ukraine: Provisional Free Trade with EU

According to Polish News Agency PAP, the EU countries have agreed to grant Ukraine a temporary use of a number of terms of the Association Agreements which will become effective even before the ratification process is completed.

September 26, 2013

Turkey: „Perhaps We Will Never Join the EU“

Turkey´s Minister of European Afffairs Egemen Bagis stated that Turkey feels insulted.

September 23, 2013

Meet U.S. Ambassador-designate to Austria Alexa Lange Wesner

"I am aware of the great honor to come in 2013 as a representative of President Obama to Austria. In that year, our two countries celebrate the 175th anniversary of diplomatic relations", says the U.S. ambassador-designate Alexa L. Wesner.

September 21, 2013

Austrian Government Highlights Close Relations to Hungary

“Border region between Austria and Hungary as a dynamic place.”

September 21, 2013

“Serbia Becomes the Driver of Reforms on the Western Balkans”

The Austrian government supports Serbia’s pro-European course.

September 18, 2013

Barroso: “Albania’s Future Is in The European Union”

President of the EU Commission Barroso is confident about Albania’s commitment.

September 17, 2013

Bulgaria Allows Non-Residents Acquisition of Farmland

Bulgaria will allow foreigners will be able to acquire agricultural land.

September 16, 2013

Croatia, Slovenia and Italy in Favor of Closer Cooperation

Italian, Croatian and Slovenian PMs push for stronger cooperation.

September 16, 2013

Lopatka Welcomes Statement by Barroso

Subsidiarity is the precondition for a successful European Union.

September 12, 2013

World Economic Forum: Competitiveness of Western Balkans

Former Yugoslav countries and their competitiveness according to the World Economic Forum annual report.

September 6, 2013

Austria: Faymann Mocks Schwarzenberg

The Austrian Chancellor reacts to Schwarzenberg’s criticism against Foreign Minister Spindelegger.

August 28, 2013

2013: Decisive Year for Ukraine

Ukrainian World Congress: European integration as the key to Ukraine’s independence

August 26, 2013

Bulgaria and Romania to Strenthen Relations

Bulgaria and Romania plan to strengthen relations at bilateral, regional and European level.

August 26, 2013

Schwarzenberg Criticizes Spindelegger

The former Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg thinks that Austria´s Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger mainly focuses on domestic politics. The CEE region should co-operate closer in future, he claims.

August 24, 2013

Faymann: Joint Combat against Unemployment

During a meeting with Slovenian Prime Minister Bratusek and Croatian Prime Minister Milanovic and Austria’s second biggest city Graz, Austrian Chancellor Faymann pointed out the governments’ key tasks.

August 23, 2013

Austrian Appointed Head of the OSCE in Albania

Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs congratulates Ambassador Raunig on his appointment as head of the OSCE Presence in Albania.

July 22, 2013

Austria Stresses Importance of Agency for Fundamental Rights

"EU Agency for Fundamental Rights in Vienna plays a central role in the monitoring of fundamental rights."

July 17, 2013

Orban Accuses European Union of “Soviet-style Methods”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the “troops of bureaucrats" who were unable to solve the economic crisis in Europe and who were now trying to denounce Hungary, which was on the road to recovery again.

July 5, 2013

Turkey: Government Alleged to Have Known About Project Fail

A week before the forceful clearing of Gezi Park in Istanbul, the Turkish government was supposed to know about the fact that it had lost before court with its constructions plans. Protests went on, despite of that.

July 5, 2013

Bolivia: “We Don’t Need a US Embassy“

Bolivian President Morales is still infuriated over the flight incident and considers closing of US embassy in La Paz. He is supported by his counterparts from Venezuela and Ecuador.

July 5, 2013

Visegrad Four Support Ukraine’s EU Integration

At the V4 summit in Wisla/Poland Slovak President Gasparovic announced yesterday that the V4 countries are interested in Ukraine’s successful European integration, particularly in signing the Assciation Agreement with the EU.

July 4, 2013

Diplomatic Uproar After Bolivian Emergency Landing in Vienna

After the allegedly forced stop of in Austria, Bolivian President Evo Morales has returned to his home country. International criticism arises, also in regard to Austria’s actions.

July 4, 2013

Vienna: Bolivian President Allowed to Continue Journey

Bolivan President Evo Morales had to land in Vienna after several European countries – among them Spain, France and Portugal – refused the right to overfly.

July 3, 2013