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Austria and France - Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, investment, diplomacy, culture and tourism

IPU World Conference: National Council President Sobotka Highlights Importance of International Cooperation

The 5th IPU World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, originally planned on being conducted in Vienna, was held virtually from August 19 to August 20. Austrian National Council President Sobotka as well as the majority of the representatives underlined the importance of international cooperation.

August 21, 2020

Austrian Officials Open 13th IPU Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament

The 13th IPU Summit is held virtually and will cover important topics dealing with countless inequalities women face today. The organization of the event is a common effort between the Austrian Parliament and the United Nations.

August 18, 2020

Austria Lifts Landing Bans for Airplanes from All 18 Countries that were Previously Banned

The previous landing bans for aircraft from 18 countries expired on 1 August 2020. From now on, new entry regulations will apply, requiring a mandatory Covid 19 test. There are exceptions for diplomats and some other groups.

August 1, 2020

The 2020 Vienna Election: 230,000 Non-Austrian EU Citizens Are Eligible to Vote

A total of 1,362,795 persons are entitled to vote in the Vienna municipal and district elections on October 11, 2020. This figure includes 229,784 non-Austrian EU citizens who are eligible to vote and may participate in the district representative elections.

July 27, 2020

Coronavirus Worldwide Update

Worldwide deaths has exceed 610,000, according to data collected by the ECDC Centre in Sweden. More than 14.7 million people have been infected, while some 8.6 million have recovered. According to the WHO World Health Organisation, the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is still the USA, where there are already more than 140,000 deaths. The number of infected and dead continues to rise sharply in most countries. Following is the situation update as of July 22, 2020.

July 20, 2020

The International Organization of la Francophonie's Nakseu Nguefang Presents Credentials

The new Permanent Representative of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF) to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Mr. Georges Nakseu Nguefang, presented his credentials to the Director-General of UNOV.

July 10, 2020

Austria's Contribution to the "Conference on the Future of Europe"

Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler started her Austria Dialogues on the Conference on the Future of Europe (Konferenz zur Zukunft Europas) with a series of talks with representatives of the Federal Provinces, mayors and EU municipal councils.

June 9, 2020

Coronavirus in Europe: Update

European coronavirus infections have passed 1,000,000. The number of deaths has now reached 166,007. According to the WHO World Health Organisation, the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is still in Europe, together with the US, where there are now more deaths than in the rest of the world. The number of infected and dead people is still doubling every four days in most European countries. Most of the 32 European countries presented in this study are under a state of emergency with curfews and border controls. There is also a lack of doctors, lung respiratory equipment and hospital beds. Following the situation update for the European Union, EEA, United Kingdom and Switzerland, as of April 21, 2020.

April 21, 2020

Austria Suspends Travel also with Great Britain, Russia, the Netherlands and Ukraine

After Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France, Iran and parts of China, Austria is now also discontinuing air and rail traffic with Great Britain, the Netherlands, Russia and Ukraine.

March 15, 2020

Highest Security Level: Austria also Suspends Travelling with Switzerland, Spain and France

In addition to Italy, air and rail traffic to Switzerland, Spain and France will now be discontinued. Alongside the existing border controls, checks are now also carried out at the border to Switzerland. The highest travel warning (security level 6) applies to all 4 countries (incl. Italy). As a result of recent decisions, security level 6 now applies to 6 countries: Italy, Iran, parts of China, Switzerland, Spain and France. The Austrian government's "goal is to prevent a situation like that in Italy with all democratic possibilities".

March 13, 2020

Corona-Crisis: Greatest Danger since the Financial Crisis

The OECD is sounding the alarm about the coronavirus and warned of the possibility that global economic growth could be halved this year.

March 2, 2020

COVID-19: Risk Assessment on Travel and Visits to Austria

The coronavirus outbreak has now reached Austria and the disease is spreading further. What is the risk of infection when travelling in and to Austria?

February 28, 2020

Reception of Austria-Accredited Ambassadors in the Federal Chancellery

The new Austrian Federal Government is in favour of continuing multilateral cooperation, especially in cooperation with the European countries.

January 31, 2020

Traditional New Year Reception for the Diplomatic Corps in Vienna

The Federal President's Reception for the Diplomatic Corps annually gathers all diplomatic representatives in Vienna in the Ceremonial Hall of the Hofburg.

January 17, 2020

Paris Peace Forum: "Protecting Civilians in Populated Areas"

At the Peace Forum, Austrian Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein met French President Emmanuel Macron, several Heads of State and Government and directors of international organisations. She also presented the initiative "Protecting Civilians in Populated Areas".

November 12, 2019

Repatriation: Round-Table with Representatives of African Embassies at the Ministry of the Interior

Embassy representatives from French-speaking African countries, representatives of the French Office for Immigration and Integration and representatives of the Austrian Ministry of the Interior met in Vienna to strengthen cooperation in the field of return and reintegration.

November 12, 2019

French "Ordre National du Mérite" Awarded to Major General Dorfer

François Saint-Paul, French Ambassador to Austria, has elevated Major General Martin Dorfer, Director in the Cabinet of the Minister of Defence, to the rank of Knight of the French National Order of Merit "Ordre National du Mérite".

November 6, 2019

Updated Directory of Foreign Ambassadors in Austria 2019

Below you will find the updated Vindobona.org list of foreign ambassadors and representatives of the bilateral and multilateral missions and representations in Vienna, Austria (including description of persons, pictures, CVs, etc.).

November 19, 2018 · Updated: July 19, 2019; 11:50

Foreign Trade: Imports and Exports Pass the 150 Billion Euro Mark for the First Time

The total nominal value of imports of goods in 2018 was 5.8% higher than in the previous year at 156.06 billion euros, while exports of goods rose by 5.7% to 150.1 billion euros. This results in a trade deficit of 5.99 billion euros. More than half of Austria's foreign trade was spread across only five countries.

July 10, 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

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

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

1989-2019: Europe Exhibition Opened at Vienna`s Heldenplatz

The new exhibition "Moving Moments - The End of the Division of Europe" (Bewegende Momente - Das Ende der Teilung Europas) looks back on the fall of the Iron Curtain and pays tribute to the achievements of the people in these mostly peaceful revolutions. It also shows how the European Union is seen today by young people from these countries.

May 10, 2019

UNESCO - Austria Awarded Two More World Heritage Sites

In addition to the currently troubled "Historical Centre of Vienna", which is to be preserved as a World Heritage Site, two other Austrian sites will be added to the World Heritage List at the next UNESCO meeting in Baku at the end of June. The "Danubian Limes" (Donaulimes), part of the former border of the Roman Empire, and the "Grossglockner High Alpine Road", the highest surfaced mountain pass road in Austria. Thus Austria will have 12 World Heritage Sites starting in summer 2019.

May 6, 2019

Leaders Discuss Azerbaijani-Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict in Vienna

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan met in Vienna for the first time under the auspices of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to discuss the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The two heads of state also met with Austrian President Van der Bellen and Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

April 5, 2019

Austria's Most Important Trading Partners - Ranking of the Top-20

Although the United States is only the second largest Austrian export partner after Germany, in 2018 exports exceeded the ten billion euro mark for the first time, growing by +9.7%. Imports, on the other hand, were only about half as high. Of the top 20 import partners, all, with the exception of Switzerland, showed a positive development. Imports from Russia, the UK, Slovakia, Poland and Slovenia recorded double-digit growth.

March 29, 2019

Austrian Airlines Responds to Low-Cost Carriers with Low Fares

Austrian Airlines takes up a stance against low-cost competition at Vienna Airport. On the one hand, flights to Germany, such as Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Berlin, will be increased from April onwards. Paris and Copenhagen are to follow in May. On the other hand, prices are to be reduced.

March 22, 2019

EU Citizens in Austria - Vote for Your Austrian MEP at the European Elections 2019

EU citizens who have their main residence in Austria can vote for Austrian members of the European Parliament. Here we show you how this works and who you can choose.

February 25, 2019

Founder of Global Peter Drucker Forum Honored as Excellent Management-Ambassador

Dr. Richard Straub, who resides in Paris for more than two decades, received the Grand Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (Große Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich) at the Austrian Embassy in Paris.

February 5, 2019

Economic Relations Between France and Austria on the Rise

France is Austria's fourth most important export market worldwide. At more than EUR 3 bn, the trade surplus with France is the second highest in the world after the USA. Last year, France grew particularly strongly as a destination for Austrian products with an increase of 32% or EUR 7 bn in Austrian exports.

January 30, 2019

New Appointments of Austrian Diplomatic Posts Abroad

At its meeting of 25 April 2018, the Austrian Council of Ministers decided to entrust the following Foreign Ministry officials with the direction of Austrian Missions.

April 25, 2018 · Updated: January 11, 2019; 17:15

New Austrian Foreign Trade Strategy: Growth, Jobs, Prosperity

In a joint event in the Aula of Sciences, the Federal Government's new foreign trade strategy was presented by Economics Minister Margarete Schramböck, Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and President of the Chamber of Commerce Harald Mahrer. The key points of the strategy are the following: Perspective, value orientation, location effect, focal points, future orientation, communication, efficient coordination.

December 20, 2018

Reinsurer VIG Re to Expand to Paris

After opening an office in Frankfurt a year ago, another West European representative office is now to follow in Paris. The new branch will be headed by Patrick Chevrel. As part of the Vienna Insurance Group, VIG Re has been founded in 2008 by being established as a core player in the reinsurance market in Austria and CEE, and now also in certain West European countries.

November 26, 2018

Austria Prepares for the Presidency of the Council of the European Union: ‘A Europe that protects’

On 1 July 2018 Austria takes over the EU Presidency for six months. The Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union will focus on three topics: the fight against illegal migration, digitalisation and stability in the neighbourhood.

June 5, 2018

Iran Talks Back at the Palais Coburg in Vienna

The struggle for the prolongation of the nuclear agreement with Iran continues. On Tehran's initiative, the Joint Commission is meeting in Vienna at Palais Coburg to discuss measures to support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program. Tehran wants to decide on compliance with the nuclear deal in the coming weeks.

May 25, 2018

Who is Johannes Peterlik, Secretary General Designate at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

The current Deputy Head of Section V for Cultural Foreign Relations of the BMEIA Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dr. Johannes Peterlik will take over the function of Secretary General for Foreign Affairs on 1 June 2018. The current Secretary General Dr. Michael Linhart becomes Ambassador in Paris.

May 25, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the French Republic to Austria: H.E. Mr. Francois Marcel Michel Saint-Paul

H.E. Mr. Francois Marcel Michel Saint-Paul is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Austria.

May 16, 2018

Vienna's Attractiveness as a Location for Business Continues to Grow

For the sixth year in a row, Vienna recorded the highest number of companies settling in the city. After Vienna had already achieved a record figure in the previous year with 178 international new additions, this was again exceeded last year with 191 new companies, which is an increase of 13%. These business establishments together are responsible for investments totalling €537 million and 1,087 new jobs. There are 344 new foreign invested businesses throughout Austria. German companies remain the number one investors in Austria.

April 30, 2018

International Congresses: Vienna Worldwide Number Two - UN Events Contribute 7% of Conference Nights

The Vienna meetings industry progresses from record to record. With 186 meetings, Vienna remains behind Paris with 196 meetings, number 2 in the Worldwide Ranking of the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association). In the year prior to that, Vienna was still in fifth place. The proportion of congresses that can be allocated exclusively to the United Nations is enormous and accounts for around 7% of overnight stays.

April 24, 2018

Opel-PSA Group Plans Job Cuts in Vienna

By summer, 140 employees are to leave the Opel plant in Aspern. A further reduction could be avoided thanks to a new transmission order from Opel parent Groupe PSA. Engines will be produced for the previous Opel owner General Motors (GM) until 2019/20. What comes after that is still uncertain.

April 6, 2018

The OSCE in 2030: Undivided Security in Europe Now More at Risk Than 10 Years Ago

In the Austrian National Defence Academy, the security issue "The OSCE in 2030: Undivided Security in Europe restored?" was discussed in the form of a public panel discussion. At the invitation of the International Institute for Peace (IIP), the Karl-Renner-Institut, the Scientific Cluster for Polemology and Legal Ethics, the FES Regional Office for Cooperation and Peace in Europe (ROCPE), the Austrian National Defence Academy and the ISP Institute for Security Policy, Hannes Swoboda as moderator and the panelists Thomas Greminger, Fyodor Lukyanov, Stephanie Liechtenstein, Alena Kupchyna discussed the hoped-for security policy development of Europe and the OSCE.

March 7, 2018

Hotel Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom to Shine in a New Design

Different cultures meet in Vienna. The result, which is a fascinating blend of art and architecture is supposed to be reflected in the hotel Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom. The hotel with its 182 rooms and the hotel lobby is currently experiencing a facelift which will be completed soon. Since the beginning of the year the new general manager of Sofitel, Peter Katusak-Huzsvar, has been designing the impressive house in Vienna's Praterstrasse 1 as a lifestyle hotspot for both tourists and Viennese.

March 5, 2018 · Sponsored Content

Semperit AG Holding / Agreement on social plan for French Production site in Argenteuil signed

Semperit AG Holding announces that the management of the French subsidiary Sempertrans France Belting Technology ("SFBT") has signed an agreement on 13th October 2017 with the representative bodies of the affected French employees regarding the social measures linked to the closing project of the plant in Argenteuil.

October 13, 2017

Western Balkans Summit was Held in Paris

Following the 2014 Western Balkans Summit in Berlin and the Vienna Western Balkans Summit of August 2015, the third Western Balkans Summit was held in Paris in the context of the ‘Berlin Process’. More than 500,000 of the people with migration background who live in Austria are from the region. Austrian companies have hundreds of branches or subsidiaries in the Western Balkans, which clearly illustrates the very close economic relations.

July 8, 2016

20 Years Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT): Ministerial Meeting at VIC

Marking the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), a Ministerial Meeting was held at Vienna International Center. Hosting some 40 international organizations, Austria is a hub for the promotion of peace, safety and security, sustainable development and the fight against crime, drug abuse and terrorism.

June 20, 2016

US Company Contour Moves European Headquarters from Paris to Vienna

The Vienna-based European headquarters will be the strategic centre for all thermal and renewable energy facilities in Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Armenia, Spain, Northern Ireland and Ukraine.

December 11, 2015

Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Council of Ministers Places 27 New Diplomats at Head of Embassies

The Council of Ministers of the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to place 27 new Austrian diplomats at head of Austrian Embassies worldwide.

December 10, 2015

Journalism Award “Writing for CEE 2015” Goes to Martin Leidenfrost

The EUR 5,000 Writing for CEE journalist prize has been awarded for the twelfth time. Journalists from all round Europe – including Northern Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, South Eastern Europe and the CIS countries – have been invited to submit their works. The Austrian Journalist Martin Leidenfrost wins the “Writing for CEE 2015” award for his column "Expedition Europe". At the award ceremony writer and honorary guest Karl-Markus Gauß touched on the discovery of Europe and SEEMO Secretary General Oliver Vujovic said, that Europe faces new boundaries and divisions.

November 18, 2015 · Updated: November 20, 2015; 19:00

Three Austrians Were Present in Outrageous Attack in Bataclan Concert Hall

According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs also three Austrians were present in the Bataclan concert hall, one of the attacks' targets.

November 18, 2015

OSCE States Adopt Declaration Condemning Paris Terrorist Attacks

In a special meeting of the Permanent Council in Vienna to discuss the recent attacks in Paris, the 57 OSCE participating States have adopted a declaration condemning the ‘brutal and indiscriminate’ Paris attacks and recent terrorist atrocities.

November 17, 2015