Vienna Diplomatic News | ViennaDiplomacy | Cultural Diplomacy

Read the latest headlines about diplomatic missions and international organizations in Vienna and Austria

Meet the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vienna or How to (not) Be an Embassy

The increased geopolitical tensions around the diplomatic status of Taiwan can even be felt in the otherwise tranquil Vienna diplomatic scene as Taiwan’s representation in Austria demonstrates.

May 12, 2021

New NATO Liaison Office in Vienna

The NATO General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg and Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg have signed the headquarters agreement for the NATO Liaison Office in Vienna.

May 12, 2021

Diplomats and International Community Become Eligeable for Vienna's Vaccination Programme

The Vienna vaccination portal introduced the "international community" category for selection. This means that all diplomats and staff of International Organisations have become eligeable for appointments to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Find out here about the exact modalities.

May 11, 2021

US Embassy Chargé D'Affaires Dunnigan Portrays Relationship with Austria Under the Biden Administration

Robin Dunnigan, temporary head of the US Mission in Vienna in an interview with Austrian media highlighted the different fields of cooperation and discord between the US and Austria under the new Biden administration.

May 11, 2021

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

The new Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations (Vienna), H.E. Mr. Dario Ernesto Chiru Ochoa, presented his credentials to some of the international organizations in Vienna.

May 10, 2021

All You Wanted to Know About the German Embassy in Vienna

The rich history of the building(s) of the German Embassy in Vienna reflects both the history of Germany and its relationship with Austria.

May 10, 2021

Embassies in Vienna Celebrate End of World War II

76 years ago on May 8, World War II ended in Europe. Despite Covid restrictions, selected Viennese embassies held commemorative events.

May 9, 2021

Weekly Briefing: End of Lockdown for Vienna and Lower Austria Stirs Up Hope

Now Vienna has also officially confirmed that on May 19 the long-awaited opening will take place. The end of the lockdown in Vienna and Lower Austria and nationally reaching 3 million Covid-19 vaccinations are not the only indications that the Austrian economic recovery gets off the starting blocks. Find out more about this week's developments.

May 6, 2021 · Updated: May 6, 2021; 17:05

Ambassador to China Appointed New CEO of the Austrian Development Agency

Friedrich Stift succeeds Martin Ledolter as CEO of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA). Who is Dr. Friedrich Stift and what is his background?

May 5, 2021

Portugal and Austria Mutually Interested in "Green Passport"

Portugal's high-ranking politicians, including President Rebelo de Sousa and Foreign Minister Santos Silva, and Austria's National Council President Sobotka have held discussions about the European "Green Passport". What they had to say about the IPU Conference in Vienna and the Conference on the Future of Europe, can be read below.

May 4, 2021

Belarusian Opposition Leader Meets Van der Bellen, Kurz and Schallenberg

During her working visit to Vienna, the Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya met with Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in order to discuss the continued support from Austria for the efforts of the Belarusian opposition and civil society.

April 30, 2021

Youth, Peace, and Security: Preventive Diplomacy Ambassadors Practice Conflict Prevention Strategy

Preventive Diplomacy Academy graduates from UNRCCA (UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia), Young Turkmen SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Ambassadors and CTBTO Youth Group representatives had a great opportunity to express their views and ideas.

April 29, 2021

International Day of Multilateralism: Schallenberg Demands Multilateral Cooperation

On the occasion of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg advocates for increased cooperation and implementation of disarmament commitments. He emphasizes that "multilateralism is the basis for sustainable peace."

April 26, 2021

Schallenberg Meets German-Speaking Foreign Ministers

The Foreign Minister of Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria met in Lugano, Switzerland, to discuss bilateral cooperation and the fight against the ongoing pandemic. Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg pointed out that "sustainable, trusting and friendly cooperation" had been absolutely paramount during the crisis.

April 19, 2021

Austrian Foreign Ministry Celebrates Girls' Day with Live Talk

On April 22, 2021, interested girls in 5th grade and above will have the opportunity to learn more about the different tasks and careers within the Austrian Foreign Ministry and in Foreign Service. Registration is possible until April 20, 2021, and the live talk will take place between 11 am and 12 pm on April 22.

April 15, 2021

Vienna Hosts Discussion Over Iran Nuclear Agreement

High representatives of the EU, China, France, Germany, Russia, UK, Iran and the United States have come to Vienna in order to discuss a possible revival of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as Iran Nuclear Agreement. Although progress was made, the path to a final decision might be long.

April 12, 2021

International Romani Day: Austria Raises Awareness

On the occasion of the 50-year anniversary of the first meeting of the Romani Union, Austria's Parliament under the lead of National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka held a virtual event, which commemorated antiziganist acts in the past and highlighted the importance of inclusion and safeguarding the Romani population.

April 12, 2021

Libya's Foreign Minister Holds Talk with Schallenberg

The Foreign Minister of Libya's transitional government, Najla El Mangoush, had a telephone conversation with Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg. In the talk, Libya's Foreign Minister expressed her optimism for the future developments in Libya, while Schallenberg assured her of the EU's continued support for the country.

March 26, 2021

Italian Secretary of State for Europe and Edtstadler Support "Green Passport"

Austria's Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler travelled to Rome to meet with some representatives of the Italian government. With her counterpart, the Italian Secretary of State for Europe Vincenzo Amendola, Edtstadler discussed the Europe-wide "Green Passport" for Covid-19 vaccinated, tested and recovered people.

March 19, 2021

Israel's President Visits Van der Bellen

Israel's President Reuven Rivlin came to the Hofburg in Vienna to discuss with Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen Israel's concerns regarding Iran and the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Austria's Federal President pleaded for a "way back to the negotiating table" with Iran hinting at the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was negotiated in Vienna in 2015.

March 19, 2021

Austria Stays Committed to Humanitarian Aid in Africa, the Middle East and Ukraine

Austria's Federal Government has decided to release the largest disbursement from the Foreign Disaster Fund for humanitarian aid in Africa, the Middle East and Ukraine. Around EUR 13.5 million will be made available to Austrian NGOs providing aid in Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Lebanon, Jordan, and the eastern Ukraine.

March 18, 2021

Austria's Schallenberg and Nehammer at EU Foreign and Interior Ministers' Meeting

For the first time ever, EU Foreign and Interior Ministers met jointly to discuss migration issues. Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg and Interior Minister Nehammer demand a better system for the repatriation process of migrants who have not been granted asylum.

March 16, 2021

Schallenberg on the International Women's Day: "Women Must Play a Key Role in Decision-making"

Austria will take over special responsibility for women's policy concerns in the UN Commission on the Status of Women at the end of March. On the occasion of this role and the International Women's Day, which was celebrated on March, 8, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg demands more women in decision-making roles.

March 11, 2021

King Abdullah Center Will Officially Leave Vienna

The King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) will officially leave Austria. After rumours of a possible reallocation, the Secretary General of KAICIID Faisal bin Muaammar has now announced that the Center is looking for a new location.

March 8, 2021

Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from Spain, Kazakhstan, Ireland, Ghana, Argentina and Afghanistan

Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the six newly accredited Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Spain, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Ireland, the Republic of Ghana, the Argentine Republic and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.

March 4, 2021

Österreichisches Außenministerium: Neubesetzung von 30 Diplomatischen Leitungsfunktionen Weltweit

Das Österreichische Außenministerium (Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten) unter der Leitung von Außenminister Alexander Schallenberg hat in der heutigen Sitzung des Ministerrates die Neubesetzung von mehreren (30) österreichischen Vertretungsbehörden - wie folgt - beschlossen.

February 24, 2021

Schallenberg Reallocates Foreign Positions

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has entrusted several envoys and current ambassadors with new positions abroad. More than 20 Austrian embassies or Consulate Generals will have new leadership and three cultural forums will see a change in management.

February 24, 2021

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

H.E. Mr. Gustavo Eduardo Ainchil, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to the Republic of Austria, the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Slovenia and to the International Organizations in Vienna, presented his credentials.

February 24, 2021

Theresian Academy: Vienna's Elite School for the Next Generation of Diplomats Celebrates 275th Anniversary

In 1746, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria founded the Theresian Academy, which has been closely linked to Austria's history ever since. In 2021, the Theresian Academy celebrates its 275th anniversary, and with it the connection between scholastic tradition and innovation in education.

February 23, 2021

Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the International Organizations in Vienna Presents her Credentials

The new Permanent Representative of Nicaragua to the United Nations (Vienna), Sabra Amari Murillo Centeno, presented her credentials to some of the international organizations in Vienna.

February 22, 2021

IAEA: Interim Solution Found in Nuclear Dispute with Iran

Director General Grossi Grossi traveled to Iran over the weekend to search for a way out of the recently escalated nuclear dispute. The counterparts agreed that Iran continues for up to 3 months to implement fully and without limitation its Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA as before. Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg also welcomes the fact that controls on Iran's nuclear program will continue for the time being.

February 22, 2021

Robin Dunnigan Interim Head of the U.S. Embassy in Vienna

Following the election defeat and handover of office from Donald Trump to Joe Biden, and the directly related recall of U.S. Ambassador Traina from the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, the latter's Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Robin Lisa Dunnigan, has assumed interim leadership of the U.S. Embassy in Austria as "Chargé d'Affaires ad interim".

February 17, 2021

Slovenia's Foreign Minister and State Secretary Met Edtstadler

Slovenia's Foreign Minister Anže Logar and State Secretary Gasper Dovžan met with Austria's Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler in Ljubljana to discuss about a possible European vaccination certificate, EU enlargement and about the future of the European Union.

February 8, 2021

Covid-19: Austria Offers Admission of Portuguese Patients

To alleviate the current health crisis in Portugal, Austria accepted to admit ten patients that will be treated in Vienna and other provinces. Due to the slightly improved situation in Austrian intensive care units, the Portuguese Covid-19 patients and other patients with serious illnesses will be transfered to hospital in Austria.

February 5, 2021

United Nations in Vienna Offer Virtual Tour

The United Nations in Vienna offer an insight into the work at the Vienna International City (VIC). Due to Covid-19, regular tours have been suspended since March 2020, which is why the Visitor Service of the UN headquarters in Vienna is now offering an adequate substitution for the regular tours.

February 5, 2021

Vienna Hopes for Revival as Congress Metropolis

The Covid-19 pandemic has influenced numerous different industries. Conventions, congresses and large-scale corporate events have not been possible, although they were important drivers for Vienna's tourism and international standing as congress metropolis. For 2021 and the upcoming years, the city hopes to experience a revival of this particular industry.

February 3, 2021

Portuguese State Secretary Ribeiro Appointed OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

The OSCE member states recently made new appointments to the organization's leadership positions at the Ministerial Council. Teresa Ribeiro, the former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the Portuguese government, has filled the post of OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. Apart from her diplomatic career, the 66-year-old Portuguese had also worked in the media sector in the past.

February 2, 2021

Edtstadler in Paris: Meetings with Secretaries of State and Chief Rabbi

In order to discuss Covid-19 coordination and the fight against terrorism and anti-Semitism, Austria's Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler has traveled to Paris, France and met with, among others, Secretary of State for Europe Clément Beaune and Chief Rabbi of France Haim Korsia.

February 2, 2021

Pahor and Van der Bellen Demand European Cooperation

The Slovenian President Borut Pahor and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen met virtually to discuss current issues, especially the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the fight against the climate crisis. Both heads of state stressed the importance of European and, in fact, global cooperation in both matters.

February 2, 2021

President of European Parliament and Sobotka Exchanged Views

David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, and Wolfgang Sobotka, Austria's National Council President, met virtually to discuss the current situation regarding the Covid-19 vaccines. The agenda of the meeting also comprised discussions about an EU-wide Holocaust commemoration and the future of the EU.

February 1, 2021

British in Vienna: First Residence Permit Handed Out

The first British citizen living in Vienna has received her approved residence permit. After the UK has left the EU on December 31, 2020, about 12,000 Britons living in Austria will need to apply for a residence title by the end of 2021. British Ambassador to Austria Leigh Turner is pleased by the processing of the Austrian officials so far.

February 1, 2021

New Year's Reception for Vienna's Diplomatic Corps

Alexander Van Der Bellen and Pedro Lopez Quintana, the doyen of the diplomatic corps, delivered a video address on the occasion of the New Year 2021 to all diplomats accredited in Austria and to the international community in general. Read the most important excerpts from the Austrian President's speech below.

January 29, 2021

Schallenberg Welcomes Extension of New START

The last minute extension of the New START agreement between the Russian Federation and the USA is welcomed by Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. After the entering into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TNPW) about a week prior, this is the second step in the direction of nuclear disarmament in 2021.

January 29, 2021

Speaker of Serbian Parliament Meets Sobotka

Serbia's Speaker of Parliament, Ivica Dačić, and Austria's National Council President, Wolfgang Sobotka, met virtually to discuss current issues. The agenda of the meeting comprised the counties' approaches with regard to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the work of parliaments in times of the pandemic and the migration movements in the Western Balkans.

January 28, 2021

Influential OPEC Fund Celebrates 45th Anniversary

The Vienna-based OPEC Fund for International Development marks its 45th anniversary today. Since inception in 1976 by the Member States of OPEC, the multilateral development finance institution has approved more than US$25 billion in essential financing for 135 partner countries.

January 28, 2021

Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations Office in New York Presents his Credentials

Ambassador Alexander (Axel) Marschik is the new permanent representative of Austria to the United Nations in New York. He presented his credentials to UN's General Secretary Antonio Guterres and sees it as "a privilege to serve as Ambassador to the United Nations together with colleagues from all over the world."

January 27, 2021

Travel Austria-USA: Negative Covid-19 Test Required

The new President of the United States and the responsible departments have renewed the entry ban for European citizens. Thus, effective January 26, 2021, Austrians, Europeans and even U.S. citizens traveling to the USA need to provide a negative Covid-19 test result in order to be allowed to travel to the United States.

January 26, 2021

US Ambassador Traina Leaves Austria

The U.S. Ambassador to Austria Trevor Traina has concluded his mission and returns to his home country. Austria's Chancellor Kurz and Foreign Minister Schallenberg thank Traina for his commitment to better the bilateral relations between the two countries, while Traina himself bids farewell in a video starring highlights of his term.

January 26, 2021

Speaker of Israeli Parliament Met Sobotka

Israel's Speaker of Parliament, Yariv Levin, and Austria's National Council President, Wolfgang Sobotka, met virtually to discuss current issues. The agenda of the meeting comprised the fight against Covid-19 in all its facets, the work of parliaments in times of the pandemic and security issues in the parliamentary operations.

January 22, 2021

New US Presidency: Austria and EU Welcome New Chapter

Joe Biden, as new President of the United States, and Kamala Harris, as new Vice President, were inaugurated on January 20, 2021. The reactions from politicians throughout the European Union and Austria to the inauguration and the President's first acts were filled with hope and positivity.

January 22, 2021