Austria - International Political News

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

Meeting Between Antonio Guterres and Karl Nehammer Dominated by the Ukraine Crisis

UN Secretary General António Guterres met with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer today to discuss current issues such as the war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic. Both partners were convinced of the importance of continuing to negotiate with the Russian aggressor and discussed Austria's role in mediating peace.

May 11, 2022

Pro-Russian Authorities in Kherson Want to Ask Russia For Annexation

Russia accomplished in its war efforts in Ukraine to occupy Kherson. The pro-Russian authorities, installed by the Kremlin, in occupied Kherson plan to ask for the southern Ukrainian region's incorporation into Russia.

May 11, 2022

UN Secretary General António Guterres Met Austria's President Alexander Van Der Bellen in Vienna

The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres is currently visiting Vienna and met with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. The main topic of conversation was the conflict in Ukraine and its international ramifications.

May 11, 2022

Czech Republic Replaces Russia In UN Human Rights Council

Following Russia's departure from the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Czech Republic has been elected to the body by the UN General Assembly.

May 10, 2022

Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Visits Bulgaria and North Macedonia

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg travels to Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia to promote EU enlargement in the Western Balkans. Especially against the backdrop of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, stable and European-oriented Balkans are important.

May 10, 2022

Forgotten Crisis: Austria Supports Syria at International Donor Conference

This week, the 6th donor conference to support Syria and the region is taking place in Brussels. This conference is the most important donor event for the country, which has suffered enormously in recent years, mainly due to war and natural disasters, and is still dependent on humanitarian aid from other countries. Austria is also represented and will contribute to the relief efforts.

May 10, 2022

Meet the New Ambassadors of Brazil, Germany, Tanzania and Rwanda to Austria

The new Ambassadors of the Federative Republic of Brazil (H.E. Mr. Nelson Antonio Tabajara de Oliveira), Federal Republic of Germany (H.E. Mr. Michael Josef Hermann Klor – Berchtold), United Republic of Tanzania (H.E. Mr. Celestine Joseph Mushy) and Republic of Rwanda (H.E. Mr. Marie Chantal Rwakazina) to Austria presented their credentials to President Van der Bellen. Learn more about these new ambassadors.

May 9, 2022

Why May 9 Is Important For Russia: Putin Tries to Justify War in Ukraine

Russia today celebrates the Day of Victory over Fascism. For Russia, this holiday is a national sanctuary, for Putin's Russia the most important day for propaganda. Read more about May 9 and its importance for Russia?

May 9, 2022

UN Secretary-General António Guterres about to visit Austria

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will visit Austria this week. In addition to a stay at the Vienna University of Technology and the Vienna International Center, he will also meet with Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen to discuss the Ukraine war and its international consequences.

May 9, 2022

Iran Nuclear Talks: EU Tries To Revive the Negotiations

European officials are trying to save the Iran nuclear deal. To find a solution to the months-long standoff between Tehran and Washington, EU coordinator Enrique Mora is scheduled to visit Tehran. Read about the newest developments in Iran and the JCPOA.

May 8, 2022

OSCE and U.S. Mission to the OSCE Condemn Anti-Semitic Remarks by Russian Foreign Minister

The OSCE and the U.S. Mission to the OSCE recently condemned the statements of Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, who claimed that Adolf Hitler was of Jewish origin, sparking an outcry in the Jewish faith community. The two statements describe the falsity of the statement and convey a lack of understanding of such obviously provocative statements.

May 6, 2022

Will Russia Hold Referendums in Eastern Ukraine or Step Up Its War Effort

The war in Ukraine is raging and the Ukrainians are defending themselves against the more powerful Russian forces, which, however, have faltered. The question that arises is what strategy Russia will now adopt. There are signs of referendums in eastern Ukraine and of stepping up the Russian war effort.

May 5, 2022

Protection of the European Single Market: European Commission Wants to Control Third-Country Subsidies

The European Commission has presented a new proposal to combat competition-distorting subsidies from third countries. The background for the proposal is the increasing global imbalance between companies from the EU and those from third countries. This is primarily to counter the influence of China and Chinese companies in Europe.

May 5, 2022

Number of Hungry People Further Increased in 2021

The number of people going hungry worldwide continued to rise in 2021. Several factors contributed to the increase, including conflicts, economic crises, and weather extremes, according to a report released today by the Network Against Food Crises.

May 4, 2022

Austrian Foreign Ministry Opens Regional Forum On Minority Issues

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Minorities, the Secretary-General Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the UN Special Rapporteur in charge, Fernand de Varennes, organized the Regional Forum on Minority Issues in Europe and Central Asia.

May 3, 2022

Austria and the Indecision for the Gas Embargo

The war in Ukraine has been raging for two months. To stop Russia, a great many countries have imposed tough sanctions on Russia. Many European countries and the U.S.A. want to impose a gas embargo on Russia. Austria is still very cautious about this step.

May 3, 2022

Russia Hides Its Operations in Ukraine From the OSCE

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine will be suspended, due to the lack of consensus at the OSCE Permanent Council on 31 March 2022 to extend the Mission’s mandate. In the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, Russia torpedoed the OSCE and wants as little international attention as possible on its military operations in Ukraine.

May 2, 2022

Hungarian-Austrian Relations: National Council Presidents Köver and Sobotka Led Virtual Meeting

Hungarian National Council President László Kövér and his counterpart Wolfgang Sobotka recently held a virtual meeting to discuss current issues. The main topic, as in so many meetings these days, was the war in Ukraine and its impact on Europe. If you want to know what else was discussed, read on!

April 29, 2022

Meet the New Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Portugal to the International Organizations in Vienna

Miguel Maria Simões Coelho de Almeida e Sousa, Portugal's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Miguel Maria Simões Coelho de Almeida e Sousa, the new permanent representative of Portugal to the International Organizations in Vienna.

April 29, 2022

UN Secretary General Guterres in Ukraine: "We Will Not Give Up”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during a visit to the capital Kiev, expressed courage to Ukraine and assured its full support. He condemned the Russian attacks and promised to continue providing aid and financial resources. During his speech, 2 bombs, among others, hit the Ukrainian capital.

April 29, 2022

How the European Union Is Providing Humanitarian Help to Ukraine

In Ukraine, the war has been raging for about two months now. The situation for people in Ukraine is miserable and the constant fighting makes normal life impossible. The European Union also provides humanitarian support to Ukraine. Read more about the EU's humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

April 28, 2022

Meet the New Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Peru to the International Organizations in Vienna

Luis Alberto Campana Boluarte, Brazil's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Ambassador Boluarte is an experienced diplomat. Meet Ambassador Boluarte, the new permanent representative of Brazil to the International Organizations in Vienna.

April 28, 2022

Austria Professes to be the Official Seat of Many International Organizations

The Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs, Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, today welcomed the more than 80 Permanent Representatives to International Organizations in Vienna for an exchange at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Austria's official residence. The meeting resumes a regular dialogue format that helps strengthen Vienna as a center for diplomacy.

April 27, 2022

Meet the New Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Brazil to the International Organizations in Vienna

Nelson Antonio Tabajara de Oliveira, Brazil's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Ambassador Tabajara de Oliveira is an experienced diplomat. Meet Ambassador Tabajara de Oliveira, the new permanent representative of Brazil to the International Organizations in Vienna.

April 27, 2022

Austria Could Be Independent of Russian Gas by 2027

In order not to be further dependent on gas supplies from Russia, the Austrian energy minister is planning to phase out Russian gas by 2027. Since Austria is enormously dependent on Russian suppliers, it is not possible to do without imports in the short term. If you want to know what measures Austria will strive for, read on.

April 27, 2022

IAEA’s First International Conference on Nuclear Law

The IAEA currently hosts the world's top experts on nuclear law to examine the current nuclear law framework in the changing landscape of technology, opportunities, and challenges. Read more about the importance of the First International Conference on Nuclear Law.

April 26, 2022

Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Travels to the Middle East

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg traveled to Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Autonomous Territories to hold Working meetings. The Russian invasion of Ukraine shakes the world. Austria shows itself as a mediator also in regions that are endangered but have moved into the background of attention.

April 26, 2022

Humanitarian Crisis in Mariupol: UN Calls for Immediate Cessation of Fighting

The humanitarian catastrophe in Mariupol continues to escalate, and more and more trapped civilians are fighting for their survival. Now, several UN-Organizations are calling on the Russian war leadership to establish humanitarian escape corridors and to cease hostilities immediately.

April 26, 2022

Impact of the Ukraine War: Sobotka Meets Swiss National Council President Irène Kälin

During a visit to Switzerland, the Swiss President of the National Council Irène Kälin received Austria's National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka to discuss the situation in the Ukraine war and its consequences. Both condemned the Russian actions and promised to help each other through this difficult situation. Read on if you want to learn more about the conversation.

April 26, 2022

Women Refugees From Ukraine Particularly At Risk

The war in Ukraine is already in its ninth week. The Russian invasion caused many people to leave the country, especially women and children. These groups are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by criminal structures and others with malicious intentions.

April 25, 2022

Russian Proxies Have Detained OSCE Officials in Donetsk and Luhansk

OSCE special monitoring mission members have been arrested and detained in Donetsk and Luhansk. The OSCE calls for the immediate release of detained OSCE officials.

April 25, 2022

Ukraine: IOM and the Austrian Ministry of the Interior Launch Joint Project for War-Displaced Persons

A joint project of the International Organization for Migration and the Austrian Ministry of the Interior, aims to help Ukrainian protection seekers with numerous assistance offers. The project will run with 400,000 euros until the end of August and can be extended if necessary.

April 25, 2022

How the Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis Affects Life in Vienna

The humanitarian crisis created by Russia's brutal war in Ukraine can now be felt in Vienna. Read how the crisis is affecting life in Vienna.

April 25, 2022

IAEA on the Current Status of Ukraine's Nuclear Security

The Russian aggression on Ukraine threatens Ukraine's nuclear security. A watchful IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely and expressed concern.

April 22, 2022

IAEA Director-General Chief Grossi Will Lead Assistance Mission to Ukraine’s Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine threatens the country's nuclear security. The country has many nuclear power plants and Russian troops were entrenched in Chernobyl until a few weeks ago. To maintain nuclear safety efforts at Chernobyl, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director-General of the IAEA, will lead an assistance mission to Ukraine’s Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

April 22, 2022

War Crimes in Ukraine: Austria Supports International Criminal Court

In order to help uncover the war crimes committed by the Russian army in Ukraine, the state of Austria is providing the International Criminal Court with a sum of 100,000 euros. The sum will be used, among other things, to collect, analyze and process evidence to document the crimes committed.

April 22, 2022

Ljubljana and Vienna Strive for More Intensive Cooperation

Ljubljana and Vienna will continue to cooperate intensively over the next 4 years. The cooperation of the two cities serves, among other things, to help each other with know-how and to advance the common goals.

April 22, 2022

UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Urged the Security Council to Stop the War in Ukraine

The UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly T. Clements called on the United Nations Security Council to put aside its differences and find a solution to end the war in Ukraine. There have already been 5 million people who have fled Ukraine, and there are another 7 million internally displaced.

April 21, 2022

Refugee Crisis in Poland: European Parliament Presidents Visit Refugee Reception Center in Poland

Poland receives nine European Parliament Presidents, among them also Austria's Federal Council President Christine Schwarz-Fuchs. Together they visited the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing in Dorohusk and the refugee reception center Lwowska as well as the Humanitarian Aid Centre Ptak near Warsaw.

April 21, 2022

Special Representatives of OSCE Chairman-in-Office Visit Council of Europe

Personal Representatives of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office for tolerance issues visited the Council of Europe. During this visit, meetings were held about Human Rights, Equality and Non-Discrimination. During the meetings, the representatives urged Russia to stop its invasion of Ukraine.

April 21, 2022

IAEA Conference on Enhancing the Sustainability of Nuclear Energy

The IAEA is currently holding a conference about enhancing the sustainability of nuclear energy. In the course of the green energy debate, nuclear energy is seen as playing an important role in a low-carbon future.

April 20, 2022

EU Subcommittee of the Austrian Parliament Discussed on Future EU Economic Policies

The EU Subcommittee of the Austrian Parliament discussed future EU economic policy. The topics of artificial intelligence, digitalization, EU trade policy, the update of the EU industrial strategy of 2020 and the modernization of competition law.

April 20, 2022

OSCE Media Freedom Representative, Teresa Ribeiro, Condemns Arrests of Media Workers in Russia

The OSCE Media Freedom Representative denounces the latest arrests of journalists in Russia and calls on Russian authorities to repeal restrictive laws.

April 15, 2022

Opening of the New Office of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Vienna

There is a new International Organization in Vienna. The Permanent Court of Arbitration opened a branch office in Vienna today. Read more about the newest addition to the list of international organizations in Austria.

April 14, 2022

Ukrainian Ambassador Khymynets Thanks Austrian Communities for Hosting Refugees

Ukrainian Ambassador Khymynets thanked Austrian communities for hosting refugees from Ukraine. Close cooperation between Austrian and Ukrainian communities is planned.

April 14, 2022

IAEA Supports Radiation Protection in Medical Procedures

The IAEA supports efforts and is raising awareness of radiation protection in medical procedures. The benefits of nuclear technology enable great technological advances.

April 13, 2022

U.S. and UK Sanction Individuals in the Balkans

The Balkan states are plagued by corruption, which only fosters an unstable situation. The Balkans are important for the stability of Europe and especially in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Balkans remain important for the West. That is why the U.S. and UK have sanctioned individuals.

April 13, 2022

OSCE Publishes Report on Russian War Crimes in Ukraine

The OSCE recently presented a report in Vienna on the documentation of war crimes in Ukraine. A delegation of the OSCE saw "clear signs" of violations of international humanitarian law by the Russian aggressor. Detailed elaborations on individual events had not been possible, but some cases of human rights violations could be proven.

April 13, 2022

Meeting of the C5 in Prague - Central European Countries Discuss Czech Republic's Upcoming Council Presidency

At a meeting of the C5 in Prague, representatives of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and Austria discussed the consequences for Europe of Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine and discussed the upcoming Czech presidency.

April 13, 2022

OSCE Troika Expressed Strong Support to Ukraine and Urges Russia to Stop its Invasion

Numerous states and organizations condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine. The OSCE Troika met with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister and calls on Russia to halt its military aggression against Ukraine.

April 12, 2022