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Eastern European Countries and Austria | Bilateral Relations
Austria and Eastern European countries - Latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, diplomacy, culture and tourism
International Luxury Travelers to Visit Vienna
The Vienna Tourist Board (WienTourismus) is targeting international luxury travelers in a fall advertising campaign across Europe and the USA in an attempt to boost Vienna's tourism industry. This campaign will include advertising for culinary events in Vienna like "Feed Your Soul," it will market Vienna as a destination for business meetings, and it will target Ultra High Net Worth Individuals. Read more about Vienna's various offers aimed at international luxury travelers.
September 22, 2021
New Permanent Representative of Lithuania Presents Credentials to International Organizations in Vienna
The new Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the International Organizations in Vienna, H.E. Mr. Vaidotas Verba, presented his credentials to the heads of the United Nations Office Vienna (UNOV), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Learn more about Ambassador Verba.
September 20, 2021 · Updated: September 20, 2021; 17:01
Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from Sweden, New Zealand, Chile, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Maldives and Barbados
Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the eight newly accredited Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Sweden, New Zealand, the Republic of Chile, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Maldives, and Barbados to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.
September 17, 2021
New Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia Presents Credentials
The new Ambassador of Latvia to Austria, H.E. Ms. Guna Japiņa, presented her credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Read more about Ambassador Japiņa and her discussion with President Van der Bellen.
September 17, 2021
Meet the New Ambassador of Barbados to Austria
The new Ambassador of Barbados to Austria, H.E. Mr. Chad Blackman, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Mr. Blackman is also the first Ambassador of Barbados to Serbia and the Permanent Representative of Barbados to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and UN offices in Geneva. Learn more about Ambassador Blackman.
September 17, 2021
Opening of the IAEA Board of Governors Meeting 2021 in Vienna
The IAEA Board of Governors met physically this week under the chairmanship of Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in the Plenary Hall of the M-Building at the Vienna International Centre (VIC), and discussed the topics listed below.
September 17, 2021
Meet the New Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Austria
The new Ambassador of Sweden to Austria, H.E. Ms. Annika Markovic, presented her credentials to Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. Ambassador Markovic is also the Ambassador of Sweden to Slovakia and the Permanent Representative of Sweden to the International Organizations in Vienna. Learn more about her.
September 16, 2021
Western Balkans Conference in Wachau: Strengthened Cooperation Agreed
The defense ministers of the Western Balkan states–Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia–were invited to a conference in the Wachau Valley by Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner. At the conference, they discussed increasing security cooperation between the Western Balkans, the EU, and Austria, as well as EU accession for the Western Balkans.
September 15, 2021
Minister for European Affairs: The Fight against Migration as a Means of Pressure on the EU
Austrian Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler embarked on a multi-country trip to Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, and Romania. The central topic of discussion is the increasing migratory pressure on the EU’s external borders, especially from Afghanistan and Belarus. Minister Edtstadler emphasized the need for border security at the EU's external borders and for targeted sanctions on Alexander Lukashenko's regime.
September 15, 2021
Ambassador of New Zealand Presents Credentials to International Organizations in Vienna
Mr. Brian Hewson, the Ambassador of New Zealand to Austria, presented his credentials to the international organizations in Vienna, making him the new Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the International Organizations in Vienna. Read about his background and what New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said about his appointment.
September 14, 2021
OSCE: Chairpersonship of the Forum for Security Co-operation Passes to Austria
The OSCE's 57 participating states now routinely delegate the Chairpersonship of the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) to Austria.
September 10, 2021
Vienna Economic Forum: Ambassador of Romania Becomes New Member of the Ambassadors Committee
The Romanian Ambassador in Vienna, H.E. Emilian Hurezeanu, was welcomed as a new member of the Ambassador Committee of the Vienna Economic Forum.
September 9, 2021
Forum Alpbach: Reaffirming the Importance of the Conference on the Future of Europe
The EU ministers from five member states signed the "Alpbach Declaration on the Future of Europe" at the European Forum Alpbach. The five ministers were Judit Varga from Hungary, Thomas Byrne from Ireland, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis from Greece, Juan González-Barba from Spain, and Karoline Edtstadler from Austria. The declaration highlights the necessity for cooperation and dialogue to ensure that the EU has a successful future.
September 7, 2021
Vučić Hosted Kurz: The "Fight Against Illegal Migration"
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić recently received Chancellor Kurz in Belgrade. The two of them spoke about illegal migration, especially regarding the refugees fleeing from Afghanistan. Other topics of discussion included bilateral relations and the EU rapprochement process. Kurz also spoke with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić about EU accession for the Western Balkans.
September 7, 2021
Schallenberg on Afghanistan: "Clear advance of mistrust toward the Taliban"
The Gymnich Meeting of EU foreign ministers recently took place in Slovenia. One of the main issues discussed during the two days of meetings was the situation in Afghanistan and how to deal with the Taliban going forward. Alexander Schallenberg expressed that there is a deep mistrust of the Taliban, but technical cooperation with them is currently necessary. Read more about what Schallenberg said and watch the video of him taking questions from the press.
September 7, 2021
Free PCR Gurgle Tests on Nightjet Trains to Vienna
On all Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) Nightjet trains to Vienna, passengers can now get free PCR gurgle test kits from the staff on board to get tested for Coronavirus.
September 1, 2021
Western Balkans: Further Austrian Corona Solidarity Campaign for all Six States
The final share of promised COVID-19 vaccines was delivered to Bosnia and Herzegovina, ending an EU solidarity campaign led by Austria. A total of 651,000 COVID-19 vaccines from the manufacturer BioNTech/Pfizer were provided to the six Western Balkan states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
August 30, 2021
The Chamber of Commerce Switzerland-Austria-Liechtenstein Turns 100 Years Old
The Chamber of Commerce Switzerland-Austria-Liechtenstein or Handelskammer Schweiz-Österreich-Liechtenstein (HKSÖL) has supported economic relations between the countries for 100 years. They provide professional assistance to companies in these countries and Central and Eastern Europe. The HKSÖL has facilitated a particularly successful economic relationship between Austria and Switzerland. Read more about what the HKSÖL does and the Austro-Swiss economic relationship.
August 27, 2021
Lithuania and Austria Support New Sanctions against Belarus
Lithuania and Austria have indicated that they are in favor of putting new sanctions on Belarus in response to the significant increase in illegal border crossings on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis and Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė hosted their Austrian counterparts Alexander Schallenberg and Karl Nehammer at the border to discuss the ongoing situation.
August 26, 2021
Lavrov in Vienna: Tensions Following the Establishment of the Crimea Platform
In the first official bilateral visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Vienna since 2009, Sergey Lavrov met with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. The working talks included tense issues like the annexation of Crimea, human rights in Russia, Afghanistan, and the refugees on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. However, they all expressed interest in continued dialogue and finding areas for cooperation between Austria, the EU, and Russia.
August 26, 2021
Nuclear Concerns: Austria Expresses Reservations About Slovenian Nuclear Plant
Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar and the Slovenian State Secretary for Infrastructure Blaž Košorok met with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Styrian Governor Hermann Schützenhöfer in Ljubljana. Among other issues, the group discussed Austria's concerns with the nuclear energy industry and, more specifically, Austria's concerns with Slovenia's nuclear power plant in Krško.
August 24, 2021 · Updated: August 24, 2021; 12:22
Ukrainian-Austrian Solidarity: Schallenberg Attends Inaugural Summit of Crimea Platform and Delivers Vaccines
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal hosted Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Kiev for working talks. Schallenberg also attended the founding event of the Crimea Platform, which aims to reverse the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, and he delivered a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines to aid Ukraine in the COVID-19 pandemic fight.
August 23, 2021 · Updated: August 23, 2021; 16:48
Woom to Double Workforce by 2022: Merging European and US Operations
The Austrian children's bicycle manufacturer woom has merged its operations in Europe and the USA. The company is also expected to double its workforce by 2022, creating more jobs in the manufacturing industry. Read more about woom and its recent merger.
August 20, 2021
Miss Europe: The Most Beautiful Woman in Europe to be Crowned in Vienna
Some 30 beauties from 21 nations, including three finalists from Austria, are vying for the title of "Miss Europe".
August 17, 2021
UN Peacekeeping: Praise for Austrian Women and Men
The United Nations thanked Austria for its support in peacekeeping operations and for the service and sacrifice of its military and police personnel deployed around the world under the flag of the United Nations.
August 13, 2021
Mückstein Announces Ten Million Euros for International Projects in Health and Social Sector
Austrian Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein announced that Austria will provide ten million euros for European and international projects to address the health and social consequences of COVID-19. The projects are particularly targeted at women and girls, refugees and vulnerable groups that have been significantly affected by the health and economic consequences of the pandemic.
August 13, 2021
Solidarity With Bosnia and Herzegovina: Austria Sends 500,000 Vaccines
Austria has sent over 500,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This shipment is in addition to the 650,000 vaccines that were provided to the Western Balkan states by the EU. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, and Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein all expressed their pleasure in working with Austria's neighbors to end the coronavirus pandemic.
August 11, 2021
Meet the New Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the United Nations Office at Vienna
The new Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Mr. Radomír Boháč, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the UNOV, Ms. Ghada Waly.
August 10, 2021
CTBTO Has a New Executive Secretary
Australian scientist Dr. Robert Floyd became the new Executive Secretary of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) after signing an appointment letter at the CTBTO headquarters in Vienna. Learn more about him.
August 5, 2021
Real Estate: Property Becoming Increasingly Expensive in Austria
Real Estate prices continue to rise in Austria despite the COVID-19 pandemic. While the property market is becoming increasingly expensive, rents in Vienna remain fairly affordable. Learn the new cost of buying property in Austria and how it compares with the rest of Europe.
August 5, 2021
Bulgarian President Meets With Van der Bellen in Salzburg
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev recently met with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen at the Salzburg Festival. The two discussed various issues, including climate change, migration, the Western Balkans and more. Read more about their meeting.
August 2, 2021
High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Farewelled by Austria
The High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Valentin Inzko, has left his position. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg praised him for his many years of service and his support of the Western Balkans in a farewell statement.
August 2, 2021
Danube Limes to Become a World Heritage Site
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has decided to include a section of the Danube Limes located in present-day Austria, Bavaria and Slovakia in the list of World Heritage Sites under the name Frontiers of the Roman Empire - Danube Limes (Western Segment).
August 1, 2021 · Updated: August 2, 2021; 09:38
Croatian-Austrian Relations: Support for the Planned Schengen Accession
Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić-Radman recently met with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in Zagreb. The pair discussed the planned accession of Croatia into the Schengen area, as well as safe travel practices for the summer.
July 27, 2021
Austrian Contemporary Art at Reichenau Castle: "Tension of the Moment"
The Professional Association of Fine Artists of Austria presents Austrian contemporary art in the exhibition "Tension of the Moment" as part of the project series "Augen-Blicke über den Horizont hinaus (Eye-Views Beyond the Horizon)" at Reichenau Castle.
Birgit Adelsberger · July 27, 2021
The Central 5 (C5) Discusses COVID-19 in Czech Republic
Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok, Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar, Czech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhánek, and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, met with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg as part of the “Central 5” (C5) country group. Here they discussed the COVID-19 pandemic, EU enlargement, and more.
July 23, 2021
What Is the Joint Vienna Institute and What Does It Do?
The Joint Vienna Institute (JVI) is a Vienna based International Organization which provides policy-oriented training primarily to public sector officials from countries in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, and other selected countries. It has been a hallmark of cooperation between the IMF and Austria for 29 years. Find out how the institute justifies its existence.
July 22, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: These Are the Updated Entry Rules
Due to today's amendment of the Austrian "COVID-19 Entry Regulation 2021", we bring you an update on the regulations for entering Austria.
July 20, 2021
Meet the New Ambassador of Romania to Austria
The new Ambassador of Romania to Austria, Mr. Emilian Horațiu Hurezeanu, presented his credentials to the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about his background.
July 20, 2021
Meet the New Ambassador of Nicaragua to Austria
The new Ambassador of Nicaragua to Austria, Sabra Amari Murillo Centeno, presented her credentials to Austrian President, Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about her.
July 16, 2021
At Summit With Merkel, Kurz Reaffirms Support for Western Balkan EU Accession
German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and other leaders for the Western Balkans Summit. Kurz expressed his full support for the six Western Balkan states Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Read what he said.
July 15, 2021
Kurz Visits USA and Meets with UN Secretary-General Guterres
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz traveled to the USA for a multi-day visit. One of his many meetings was with UN Secretary-General António Guterres in New York. Kurz discussed COVID-19, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and much more. Read more about his trip and his other meetings.
July 14, 2021
Meet the New Ambassador of Slovenia to Austria
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Austria, H.E. Mr. Aleksander Geržina, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. He was already Ambassador to Austria from 2009 to 2013. Learn more about his background.
July 13, 2021
Krakow and Vienna Will Cooperate Closely in the Future
The Polish city of Krakow and Austria's capital Vienna have entered into a cooperation agreement, which lasts for the next four years. Krakow's Mayor Jacek Majchrowski and his Viennese counterpart Michael Ludwig will be working together on various topics. Read all about the agreement below.
June 30, 2021
Austrian-Based EU Strategy for the Danube Region Celebrates Anniversary
The EU Strategy for the Danube Region celebrates its 10th anniversary by highlighting its importance and contribution to Europe. 14 countries with a population of around 115 million people make up one of the strongest economic forces on the European continent.
June 29, 2021
On Behalf of EU: Lithuanian, Romanian and Austrian Foreign Ministers Travel to South Caucasus
The Foreign Ministers from Lithuania, Romania and Austria have visited the South Caucasus countries Azerbaija, Armenia and Georgia on behalf of EU External Relations Commissioner Josep Borrell. Read everything about the details of the trip below.
June 28, 2021
Kosovo's President Meets Van der Bellen in Vienna
Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu traveled to Vienna to meet with her Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen. The main topics of their discussion were the progress in the EU accession process and bilateral cooperation in various fields. Read more about the meeting below.
June 24, 2021
Austria Eases Entry for USA and Serbia
U.S. citizens, Serbs and citizens from nine other countries can enter Austria again. These countries have been added to the list, where only a 3-G proof (vaccinated, tested, recovered) is necessary for entering Austria. Read more about other travel updates below.
June 23, 2021
EU Holds First Accession Conference with Serbia and Montenegro
At the General Affairs Council, which precedes the grand European Council, Austrian Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler has once again spoken out in favor of including Serbia and Montenegro in the EU. Other topics were the relations with Switzerland and the controversial Hungarian "anti-pedophile" law. Read more below.
June 23, 2021
Vienna - Bratislava: Twin City Liner Resumes Operations
After a short season in 2020, the Twin City Liner has resumed its operation to offer another type of connection between Vienna and Bratislava. You have a meeting in Bratislava around noon? The Twin City Liner will provide you with a new travel experience.
June 21, 2021
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