Austria - International Political News

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

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

Snowden Applies For Asylum in Austria

Former US intelligence official Edward Snowden has applied for asylum in several countries, among them Austria, according to WikiLeaks.

July 2, 2013

Putin Offers Snowden Right to Stay

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered fugitive IT specialist Edward Snowden a right to stay as long as he will not further harm the US.

July 1, 2013

Russia: Putin Changes Personnel at Ministry of Economics

In the light of the menancing recession, Russian president Vladimir Putin has reorganized the leaders of economic policy-makers.

June 24, 2013

No Further EU Accession Talks with Turkey

The European Union is obviously going to blow the planned accession negotiation with Turkey next Wednesday because of the recent escalations of violence in the capital Ankara.

June 20, 2013

Spindelegger: "Clear Signal for Serbia and Kosovo Expected from EU Summit at End of June"

Austrian Vice-Chancellor with Prime Ministers of Serbia and Kosovo at the Europaforum Wachau conference; clear commitment for EU expansion in the Balkans

June 19, 2013

United States Will Always Keep Its Eye on the Balkans

Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Riker.

June 10, 2013

Austria Pulling Back Peacekeepers from Syria-Israel Border

Austria announced to pull back its around 380 peacekeepers from the 1,000-strong UN force out of the Golan from the UNDOF mission after grave incidents occurred in Syria.

June 7, 2013

Turkey: More Than 4,000 Injured

Three persons have now lost their lives in the protests. 43 persons are in critical conditions. Erdogan announced to keep to the controversial project.

June 6, 2013

Serbia: No EU Accession Negotiations in 2013

Serbia will not be able to start the desired negotiations for an EU membership this year.

June 6, 2013

Lopatka: "Visa Cooperation Reinforces Mutual Ties Between Austria and the Czech Republic"

Austrian State-Secretary on the signing of a new agreement and working meetings in Prague.

June 4, 2013

Turkey: Next Step Towards EU

According to Reuters, Turkey can now hope for its long-awaited next step towards an EU entry in June. France has lifted its opposition to the country’s EU Accession talks. Experts point out the great economic potential the country offers.

May 28, 2013

Serbia to Receive Russian Support in South Stream Project

Russia to provide € 1.7bn for construction of South Stream gas pipeline project in Serbia.

May 27, 2013

Croatia: PM Anxious About Country’s Image

Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic announced that Croatia had to fight hard for its reputation within the European Union.

May 27, 2013

Slovenia: Huge Cuts in Complementary Budget

Foreign Ministry might be closed down since a 20 percent cut is proposed.

May 24, 2013

Turkey Wants FTA with US

Turkey is eager for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S.

May 24, 2013

World Economic Forum on East Asia 2013

Courageous transformation for inclusion and integration. Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, 5-7 June 2013.

May 21, 2013