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Vienna Diplomatic News | ViennaDiplomacy | Cultural Diplomacy
Read the latest headlines about diplomatic missions and international organizations in Vienna and Austria
EU Appoints Austrian Dr. Johann Sattler as New Special Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Council of the European Union appointed Johann Sattler as EU Special Representative (EUSR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He will also take over the role of the Head of the European Union's Delegation in Sarajevo.
August 9, 2019
Head of the European Commission in Vienna Leaves for Berlin
The current head of the EC European Commission in Vienna, the German citizen Dr. Jörg Wojahn, will move back to Germany as Head of the European Commission's Representation in Berlin.
August 7, 2019
Nuclear Bomb Drops Remembrance Day: Austria Advocates Nuclear Weapon-Free World
The Austrian Federal Government is fully committed to the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. "Nuclear weapons should be abolished once and for all."
August 6, 2019
Schallenberg: End of Cold War-Era Missile Pact is Threat to European Security
Austria's Foreign Minister regrets the end of the INF Treaty and calls for the voluntary non-stationing of land-based medium-range missiles in Europe.
August 3, 2019
Southeastern Europe Remains Focus of Austrian Foreign and Security Policy
The Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kemal Kozaric, and Interior Minister Wolfgang Peschorn met for a working meeting in Vienna. Bilateral cooperation and migration were on the agenda.
August 1, 2019
U.S. Senate Confirms Kelly Craft as Ambassador to United Nations
The US senate has confirmed the 57 year old American businesswoman and diplomat Kelly Knight Craft as the next US ambassador to the UN United Nations. She will replace Nikki Haley who resigned last year.
August 1, 2019
Austria to Support Syria and Mali with EUR 2.5 Million
The Austrian Council of Ministers approved a total of 2.5 million euros in aid payments from the Foreign Disaster Fund for humanitarian aid in Mali and Syria. The money is intended for refugees in the two crisis areas.
July 31, 2019
Cultural Diplomacy: International Friendship Day Important for Preserving Peace
Causes of conflicts and crises worldwide are often cultural differences and misunderstandings between peoples. These threaten peace, security, development and social peace. After long efforts, this day was also proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2011. Vindobona.org, an intercultural portal that promotes international understanding and cultural exchange in the metropolis of Vienna, strongly supports Friendship Day.
July 30, 2019
IAEA - Romanian Ambassador has been Designated Acting Director General
Ambassador Cornel Feruta of Romania, head-coordinator of the IAEA since 2013, has been responsible for coordinating the Agency's internal and external activities. As a consequence of the recent passing away of Director General Yukiya Amano, he has been designated Acting Director General at the IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency.
July 25, 2019
IAEA Member States Pay Tribute to Late Director General Yukiya Amano
During a Board of Governors meeting held at the IAEA headquarters, Member States paid their respects to Director General Yukiya Amano, who recently passed away. Delegations expressed deep sadness and a sense of great loss at his passing, commending Mr. Amano for his dedication and devotion to the work of the Agency and to the peaceful uses of nuclear technology for the benefit of people around the world.
July 25, 2019
Austrian Volker Türk Sworn In UN Deputy Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination
UN Secretary-General António Guterres swore in Austrian Volker Türk as Deputy Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination. The Australian Gillian Triggs succeeds him.
July 25, 2019
IAEA Nuclear Watchdog Chief Yukiya Amano Died at 72
The boss of the Vienna-based IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano is dead. The Japanese was 72 years old. The longtime Japanese diplomat held the IAEA's top job since December 2009. The cause of his death is unclear. According to IAEA, Amano passed away as a result of his illness. Amano’s death comes at a time of increasing concerns and escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.
July 22, 2019 · Updated: July 24, 2019; 13:00
UN Chief Guterres Voices Deep Sadness at Death of IAEA Chief Amano
UN chief António Guterres paid tribute, saying he was deeply saddened to hear the news of his death.
July 23, 2019
Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from South Korea, South Africa, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Morocco and Sierra Leone
On July 10, 2019, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the six newly accredited Ambassadors of South Korea, South Africa, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Morocco and Sierra Leone to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.
July 19, 2019
France in Austria: National Day Celebration (Bastille Day)
At the invitation of Ambassador Saint-Paul, the Permanent Representative to the UN, Jean-Louis Falconi and the Permanent Representative to the OSCE, Véronique Roger-Lacan, a reception was held at the French Embassy in Vienna.
July 15, 2019
Poznan Summit: Bringing Western Balkans Closer to EU Remains Priority
Chancellor Bierlein at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Poland. The sixth Western Balkans Conference as part of the Berlin Process, which brings together heads of government from several EU states and their counterparts from the Western Balkans, dealt with connectivity at all levels.
July 9, 2019
How North Macedonia Learns from Austria - Best Practices on the Topic of Equal Treatment
During a visit of the delegations of the Macedonian Ministry of the Interior and the OSCE Mission Skopje to the Federal Ministry of the Interior in Vienna, representatives of all sides exchanged views on the subject of equal treatment.
July 4, 2019
Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Austria
Italy's President Sergio Mattarella was on a two-day state visit to Austria. The main topics discussed were Sea Watch 3, South Tyrol and the situation of the European Union after the elections.
July 3, 2019
Schallenberg Represents Austria in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg travelled to Geneva on the occasion of the current meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Last year Austria was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2019 to 2021.
July 2, 2019
Strengthening Comprehensive Security in the OSCE Area
The OSCE’s Annual Security Review Conference in Vienna will discuss state of play of co-operation on comprehensive security in Europe and beyond.
June 25, 2019
Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg at EU Foreign Affairs Council for the First Time
In Luxembourg, Federal Minister Alexander Schallenberg represented Austria for the first time at the FAC Foreign Affairs Council and the Council of the European Union.
June 21, 2019
Albania and North Macedonia: No EU Accession Negotiations for the Time Being, but Austria Still in Favor of It
The decision to start accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia was postponed. Several EU states are blocking enlargement in the Balkans. The EU committee of the Austrian Federal Council demands that the Western Balkans become part of the EU. The Austrian Federation of Trade Unions, on the other hand, warns against hasty new admissions.
June 20, 2019
New Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Took Office
Austria is and remains a reliable partner in the world and in Europe, stressed the new Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in his first speech to the Austrian National Council. Since developments at the international level are continuing and important decisions are pending, he said that what is needed most of all now is "a sense of proportion to what is possible, trust, reliability and stability".
June 17, 2019
Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of India to Austria: H.E. Ms. Renu Pall
Renu Pall is the Ambassador of India to Austria and Montenegro, and Permanent Representative of India to the International Organizations in Vienna since February 2017.
February 7, 2017 · Updated: June 13, 2019; 13:44
Potential President of the EU Commission Michel Barnier Met Top of New Austrian Government
Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier was in Vienna to meet several members of the new government, including Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. Officially, the Brexit negotiations were the focus of the talks, however, unofficially Barnier repeatedly shows interest as Jean-Claude Juncker's successor in the office of EU Commission President.
June 11, 2019
Global Compact for Migration: Top UN Refugee Agency Diplomat Volker Türk at the Kreisky Forum
Austria's top diplomat in the UNHCR, a United Nations Programme, the international law expert Dr. Volker Türk has made an appeal to governments, NGOs and individuals to rethink refugee protection and to implement the UN Global Compact for Refugees adopted in 2018.
June 6, 2019
Austrian Top Diplomat Albert Rohan Deceased
As one of his first duties the new Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg had to inform the public about the death of one of the most distinguished diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Albert Rohan died shortly after his 83rd birthday. He had played a crucial role in shaping Austrian foreign policy in numerous international functions.
June 5, 2019
New Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg Inaugurated
The new Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (49) was sworn in by the Federal President as Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs. He succeeds Karin Kneissl.
June 5, 2019
Western Balkans: Austrians Demand EU Accession Negotiations Begin
After the EU Commission issued a recommendation for the opening of accession talks with the two Western Balkan states North Macedonia and Albania, the European parliamentarians of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) Karas and Mandl demand that the "promises" be kept. The decision to open accession talks will be taken by the Member States later in June.
June 5, 2019
40 Years of the UN in Vienna - The Tireless Commitment of António Guterres
UN Secretary General António Guterres completed a busy programme when he came to Vienna for the 40th anniversary celebrations and the R20 Austria World Summit. The VIC Vienna International Centre is the place where, with the help of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the 193 member states, 15 Vienna-based UN organisations and more than 5000 people from 125 countries from around the world are bound together.
May 31, 2019
Combat Climate Change - António Guterres' Remarks at the R20 Austrian World Summit
Because of climate change all around the world the sea level is rising, floods, drought, wildfires and extreme storms appear, and people are now losing their homes and being forced to migrate. Read what António Guterres had to say in Vienna after a trip to the South Pacific.
May 30, 2019
Diplomats for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2019
More and more embassies, delegations and permanent representations to international organisations supported this day (IDAHOBIT), that raises awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide, as well as EuroPride 2019 in Vienna.
May 29, 2019
Amerika Haus: Rushan Abbas About Concentration Camps in Xinjiang, China
Rushan Abbas, a Uighur American whose family members have been detained in China, spoke at the Amerika Haus Wien about various human rights violations against Uyghurs in China’s Xinjiang province. In her presentation "China’s Concentration Camps in a Muted World" she pointed out, that far West China’s Uyghur people, a minority Muslim group, face a high-tech police state, cultural genocide, and mass detainment in modern concentration camps.
May 29, 2019
Head of China's Top Legislative Body in Vienna
Li Zhanshu, one of China's most powerful politicians was in Vienna and was received by Austria's central institutions despite the domestic political turbulences.
May 28, 2019
EU and UN - 40 Years Together in Vienna
Both the UN United Nations and the EU European Union celebrate their 40th anniversary in Vienna. The Delegation of the European Union to the International Organisations in Vienna was established as soon as the United Nations opened their Vienna headquarters in 1979.
May 27, 2019
Apostolic Nuncio Pedro Lopéz Quintana Arrived in Vienna
H.E. Archbishop Dr. Lopéz Quintana became the 92nd Apostolic Nuncio in Vienna after the first accreditation of a Pontifical Nuncio in 1529.
May 22, 2019
Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl to Remain in Transitional Government
While President Van der Bellen has removed Interior Minister Kickl from office, Foreign Minister Kneissl will remain in a transitional government at her own request.
May 21, 2019
Russia Expands Network in Upper Austria
Wolfgang Mayer of the company Backaldrin was elected Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation for Upper Austria in Asten/Upper Austria by the Russian Ambassador in Austria, H.E. Dmitrij Ljubinskij. After the already established Honorary Consulates in Innsbruck and Bludenz, he thus takes over the third Russian Honorary Consulate in Austria. His task is to look after the 3000 Russians in Upper Austria and to promote culture and education.
May 16, 2019
ALPS 2019: How Diplomacy and Commerce Fit Together
As part of the 11th ALPS round in May 2019, 21 international company and start-up founders from 13 non-EU countries had the opportunity to make contact with Austrian decision-makers, explore ways of working together and develop new ideas.
May 16, 2019
Vienna Sticks to Iran Agreement
At the Eastern Partnership meeting in Brussels, the foreign ministers of the EU states discussed the rescue efforts for the nuclear agreement with Iran, specifically the maintenance of trade relations despite US sanction threats. Austria's Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl demanded that the nuclear agreement with Iran should be an EU priority.
May 16, 2019
New Nuncio Lopez to Be Bridge between Rome and Austria
The new Apostolic Nuncio in Austria sees itself as an instrument of unity and communication between the Pope and the Church in Austria. This was underlined by Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana (65) at his first official meeting with the Austrian Bishops' Conference in Vienna.
May 15, 2019
Putin and Van der Bellen Open Sochi Dialogue Forum
The Sochi Dialogue Russian Austrian Forum was opened in the Black Sea port city as part of a working discussion between Russian and Austrian representatives from politics, business, science, education, art and culture.
May 15, 2019
The Ambassadors of the Four Allied Powers in the Austrian Federal Chancellery
On the occasion of the "Liberation" Day of Austria from National Socialism by the Allies in 1945 and the end of the Second World War (Victory in Europe Day), Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz received the four ambassadors of the USA (Trevor Traina), Great Britain (Leigh Turner), France (representative of Francois Marcel Michel Saint-Paul) and Russia (Dmitrij Ljubinskij) at the Federal Chancellery.
May 13, 2019
The Lipizzaners - What Links Austria and Slovenia Together
The Lipizzan horses are to become cultural heritage. After decades of dispute, Slovenia and Austria submit the Lipizzaner breed to UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. This was declared by Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and her Slovenian colleague Miro Cerar after signing a joint declaration in Going in Tyrol. The application should be submitted by March 2020 with the aim of enrolment by 2021.
May 7, 2019
Foreign Minister of Albania Gent Cakaj Visits Vienna
Austria emphasises its continued support for the commencement of EU accession negotiations with Albania.
April 26, 2019
Alibaba's Jack Ma Hosted Lower Austrian Business Delegation
In order to improve bilateral relations and exports between Lower Austria and the Chinese partner province Zhejiang near Shanghai, a large delegation from Lower Austria headed by Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner was touring East China this week. The plan is to increase goods exports by 100 million euros within four years.
April 26, 2019
Austrian Volker Türk Appointed Top UN Official
The Austrian lawyer and UN official Volker Türk was appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as one of his deputies with the title Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination.
April 19, 2019
Silk Road Initiative in Mutual Interest - Chinese Delegation at Austrian Parliament
During a working visit by Ma Biao, former member of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and current Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Austrian parliamentarians show interest in the trade partnership with China.
April 19, 2019
150 Years of Japanese Austrian Relations - The Danube Island Cherry Grove Festival
The Japanese donated 1000 trees for 1000 years of Austrian history and for a meanwhile 150 year friendship. Next week, the Japanese organisations in Vienna, together with the City of Vienna, will celebrate the 18th Cherry Grove Festival on the Danube Island, which is based on the Japanese Hanami Festival (花見).
April 18, 2019
Vienna Based OSCE Concerned about Freedom of the Media in Crimea and Uzbekistan
Following reports about the recent arrest of several citizen journalists in Crimea, the continued deterioration of freedom of expression and the safety of journalists on the peninsula, and about blocking of media outlets in Uzbekistan, the OSCE condems the arrest of citizen journalists in Crimea and calls for their immediate release, and also urges reform to media laws and regulations in Uzbekistan. Similarities to the case of the Austrian journalist Wehrschütz become apparent.
April 18, 2019
