Austria - International Political News
Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian foreign politics with reference to the international interest
Speech by Austrian Foreign Minister Kurz at the UN General Assembly
Following is the recent speech by Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz on the occasion of the 69th UN General Assembly. Vindobona believes that this is a brilliant speech, which shows how a neutral country like Austria can make a constructive contribution to the solution of pressing international challenges.
October 17, 2014
Austrian Development Agency Celebrates 10 Years, 3.000 Projects and EUR 900 Mln Invested
„In the last 10 years, we have contributed to the improvement of the lives of millions of people in our partner countries with 3.000 projects and approximately €900m”, says Federal Minister Sebastian Kurz on the occasion of the Austrian Development Agency’s (ADA) anniversary, in the Museum of Ethnology in Vienna. The ADA is active in 11 core countries on four continents, combating poverty, securing peace and working for improved environmental protection.
October 17, 2014
Voestalpine to Supply Linepipe Plates for the Second South Stream Pipeline
This year sees the voestalpine Group securing its third major contract in the pipeline business. Following the first, now completed, contract for the Russian-European pipeline project South Stream, and for Rota 3, a pipeline project in Brazil, voestalpine will deliver 120,000 tons of sour-gas-resistant, high-strength linepipe plates for the second South Stream pipeline by spring 2015. The South Stream contract is not affected by sanctions. Further negotiations are also currently underway concerning extremely challenging pipeline projects.
September 5, 2014
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird Visits Austria and The Balkans
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced that he will visit Croatia, Serbia and Albania. The visit to the Balkans comes after Baird spoke about Ukraine and other global security issues at a high-level forum in Salzburg, organized by the International Peace Institute and the Salzburg Global Seminar.
August 27, 2014
Analysis: The South Stream Gas Pipeline
Due to the signing of the South Stream agreement between OMV and Gazprom for the Austrian part of the pipeline during Putin's visit to Vienna, we take a look at the background of the project.
June 25, 2014
Austria's Foreign Policy on the Western Balkans
Due to centuries of political, cultural and economic interrelations, Austrian foreign policy has always attached particular importance to the Balkans. The prime goal of Austrian foreign policy is to support the transformation of the Western Balkans into a zone of stability.
June 4, 2014
The Challenge of Turkish Migration to Austria
Two events highlight and discuss the problems and challenges of Turkish migration to Austria.
June 4, 2014
Austria: Western Balkans Representatives are Meeting in Vienna
The Western Balkans Conference and the Central European Initiative (CEI) Ministerial Meeting are currently discussing questions regarding the EU enlargement, the role of the EU as a peace project and the economic situation in the Western Balkans.
June 3, 2014
Fischer: Room for Further Trade with Albania
Austrian President Heinz Fischer was paying a visit to Western Balkan States.
May 22, 2014
“Romania Can Never Become the China of Europe”
Stabilization in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is becoming stronger. However, the political crisis in Ukraine is causing a feeling of insecurity among the population.
May 15, 2014
Sanction Imposed on Expobank
Russian-Latvian Expobank was added to the Canada’s black list.
May 9, 2014
EU Council Trying to Find a Way Out of Ukraine Crisis
Ahead of the European Council, which is currently taking place in Vienna under the Austrian presidency, Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz declared not to expect a solution for the conflict in Ukraine.
May 6, 2014
Austria Gives up Bank Secret for United States
Austria and the US have signed an agreement for the exchange of fiscal data. However, the agreement could be renewed soon.
April 30, 2014
Polish Banking Sector: “Too Early for Recovery”
The Polish banking sector has to be patient for economic recovery to show on their results.
April 29, 2014
„Brussels Must Reconsider Enlargement Policy“
Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz criticized the EU´s approach towards Ukraine. However, the EU has to develop further.
April 25, 2014
„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
