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Austria and Middle Eastern countries - Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, diplomacy, culture and tourism
Bilateral Relations between Middle Eastern Countries and Austria
War in Yemen: 1 Million Euro for UNICEF
One million euros in humanitarian funds from the Foreign Disaster Fund has been disbursed by the Austrian Government to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
September 12, 2019
Syria Conflict: Humanitarian Assistance to Jordan and Lebanon
Austria has decided to disburse humanitarian funds totalling EUR 1 million for Syria's most severely affected neighbouring countries. The funds from the Foreign Disaster Fund will each amount to half a million euros for Jordan and Lebanon.
September 12, 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
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
Iran: Last Chance to Save Nuclear Deal Failed in Vienna
The latest round of negotiations to save the nuclear agreement with Iran has remained unresolved in Vienna. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted after the meeting, which lasted several hours, that despite some progress made at the meeting, Iran would probably continue on its path towards a partial withdrawal from the nuclear programme.
June 28, 2019
Massive Slump in Austrian Exports to Iran
Trade between Iran and Austria is shrinking. Austrian exports to Iran fell by 11.1 % in 2018, as the Foreign Trade Centre Tehran of the Chamber of Commerce reported. In addition, a further decline is expected after the negative GDP growth in 2018/2019. In addition, there are fears of a further currency decline of the rial and rising inflation.
June 24, 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
Austrian Parliament: Termination of EU Accession Negotiations with Turkey, Extension of Sanctions against Russia
In a statement to the government, the EU Main Committee of the Austrian National Council has unanimously spoken out in favour of breaking off EU accession negotiations with Turkey. Instead, the parliamentary groups believe that a strategic partnership should be sought.
June 21, 2019
Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from the Holy See, Greece, Iraq, Thailand, Ecuador and Paraguay
On June 14, 2019, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the six newly accredited Ambassadors of the Holy See, Greece, Iraq, Thailand, Ecuador and Paraguay to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.
June 21, 2019 · Updated: July 18, 2019; 11:00
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Austria: H.E. Mr. Baker Fattah Hussen
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to Austria, H.E. Mr. Baker Fattah Hussen presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
June 20, 2019
Closure of Controversial King Abdullah Center in Vienna Decided
The Austrian National Council has decided to close the King Abdullah Centre in Vienna. The KAICIID - King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, which is largely financed by Saudi Arabia, has long been controversial. The imminent death sentence of 18-year-old Murtaja Qureiris in Saudi Arabia was the immediate cause. The majority decision of parliament must now be implemented by the Foreign Ministry under Alexander Schallenberg. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) spoke out in favour of a new centre under the auspices of the UN.
June 13, 2019
In Vino Veritas: Wine in Ancient Egypt
Wine has always been a drink for gods and people. The noble drink was just like today an important economic good and stimulant and possessed besides a large religious and cultic meaning. Also in the country at the Nile it was already early professionally produced and enjoyed generously. Under the title "In vino veritas. Wein im alten Ägypten", the Papyrus Museum of the Austrian National Library presents more than 70 fascinating exhibits, up to 3,000 years old, on viticulture and wine enjoyment.
June 13, 2019
Turkish - Austrian Diplomatic Efforts Bear Fruit
According to outgoing Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has promised in a telephone conversation to ease the Turkish blockade of Austria in the "Partnership for Peace (PfP)" programme. The PfP is a NATO program aimed at creating trust between NATO and non-NATO members.
June 3, 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
Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce Strengthens Links with Iraq
Representatives of the AACC visited Baghdad to further develop the foundation for Iraq-Austria business relations. Visits and contacts with, among others, the Mayor of Baghdad, the Ministry of Electricity, the Governor of the Central Bank and the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce were on the agenda.
May 20, 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
Migration Agency Demands New EU Migration Policy
Vienna based think tank International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is teaming up with its 17 member states to draw up migration policy recommendations for the next EU Commission.
May 10, 2019
Commemoration Ceremony at the Mauthausen Concentration Camp
Memorial Day against Violence and Racism for the Victims of National Socialism and Liberation of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp on 5 May 1945, where 100,000 people were murdered.
May 6, 2019
Antisemitism in Austria - Initiative to Reverse Worrying Trends
As the Jewish community in Austria reports growing concerns about the rise of antisemitism, at the invitation of the FRA - EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, local and EU policymakers, Jewish community organisations and civil society met to discuss how to combat this worrying trend.
May 3, 2019
IS Returnees to Austria - No Consular Protection Abroad
Austria adopted an autonomous consular law whereby consular protection abroad is regulated in a separate law for the first time and IS returnees can be denied consular protection.
April 26, 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
International Mine Awareness Day: By 2025 We Want to Make the World Minefree
Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl stresses Austria's commitment to the International Mine Awareness Day. In the last 20 years Austria has provided more than 33 million euros for mine action and supported projects in Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Mozambique, Ukraine and other countries.
April 4, 2019
Silvana Meixner Receives Ari Rath Prize for Critical Journalism 2019
ORF journalist and presenter Silvana Meixner will be awarded the second Ari-Rath Prize for Critical Journalism on May 6th, 2019, the Day of Freedom of the Press. This prize was established to honour journalists who have rendered outstanding services to critical reporting on immigration, expulsion and asylum, committed to respect for human rights, in the spirit of the former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, Ari Rath (pictured) who died in January 2017.
April 4, 2019
Kurz in the Emirates and in Kuwait - A Lipizzaner Stallion for the Monarch
Chancellor Kurz visited the UAE United Arab Emirates and the State of Kuwait with an extensive business delegation. Main purpose were deals in in the fields of energy, sustainability, infrastructure, transport and health. Also on the trip were 25 Lipizzan stallions of the Spanish Riding School including riders, which were on a tour in the Emirates. Kurz presented the Crown Prince of the UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with a Lipizzan stallion as a gift from the Republic of Austria.
March 25, 2019
Austria Welcomes 6 New Ambassadors from Armenia, Mali, Namibia, North Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago and Turkey
On March 19, 2019, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed six newly accredited Ambassadors to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.
March 20, 2019 · Updated: April 8, 2019; 12:00
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Austria: H.E. Mr. Ümit Yardim
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Austria, H.E. Mr. Ümit Yardim presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
March 19, 2019
Iraqi Expert Roundtable in Vienna - How to Reconstruct the City of Mosul?
More than 70 experts from Iraq, Austria and the relevant international community met in Vienna at the invitation of the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce to discuss the reconstruction of the devastated northern Iraqi city of Mosul and find solutions. Here is the report of the Expert's Round Table on the Reconstruction of the City of Mosul.
March 14, 2019
Is Benko's Chrysler Deal in the Big Apple a Bargain?
The New York property firm RFR Holding LLC of German-American Aby J. Rosen, together with Signa Holding of Tyrolean real estate investor Rene Benko, is buying the traditional Chrysler Building in New York City for around 150 million dollars. The land is not part of the deal and the rent amounted to USD 32.5 million in 2018 and will continue to rise to USD 41 million a year by 2028.
March 11, 2019
Emir of Qatar Struggling for Survival Visited Vienna
The 38 year old Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who 5 years ago ascended the throne as successor of his father Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and is now fighting under pressure of his neighbours, especially Saudi Arabia, for the survival of his monarchy, came to an official visit to Austria to talk about business.
March 7, 2019
Saudi Arabia Closes Controversial Private School in Vienna
Saudi Arabia closes the controversial Saudi School Vienna in Vienna's Landstrasse district. The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Vienna sees "better" opportunities for integration into the local community by visiting other schools in Vienna.
February 27, 2019
Fight Against Anti-Semitism - The Jewish Community in NYC and Austria
As part of his trip to the USA, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met David Harris, Executive Director of the AJC American Jewish Committee, and once again Holocaust survivor Rabbi Arthur Schneier.
February 21, 2019
Austria Boosts Funds for the Battle against Female Genital Mutilation
In the context of the International Day against FGM - Female Genital Mutilation, both the Austrian Foreign Ministry and the AIF - Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF - Österreichische Integrationsfonds), which is largely financed by the Austrian Foreign Ministry, are increasing the financial resources amounting to € 6 million for the international fight against FGM. This day commemorates the fact that around 200 million girls and women worldwide are affected by female genital mutilation. In Austria alone, 8,000 women with a migration background are affected.
February 6, 2019
Israel and Austria Sign Agreement on Continued Business Cooperation
On the sidelines of the state visit to Israel and the Austrian-Israeli Business Forum at the Hotel Intercontinental in Tel Aviv, the Economy ministers from Israel and Austria signed an agreement to accelerate business and entrepreneurial cooperation.
February 6, 2019
Visit to the Palestinian Territories: Austria's Van der Bellen for a Two-State Solution
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah: "We are friends of Israel AND of the Palestinians. We want to deepen relations with both sides". Mahmoud Abbas thanked Austria for the "historical relationships" cultivated since Bruno Kreisky.
February 5, 2019
Israel State Visit: "Austria is jointly responsible for the Shoah"
During his state visit to Israel, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen emphasised Austria's co-responsibility for the Shoah. In the Holocaust memorial Jad Vaschem Van der Bellen bowed before the Jewish victims of National Socialism. Meanwhile, as expected, there is no lifting of the boycott against Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl or members of the Freedom Party's cabinet.
February 4, 2019
Business Mission and "Future Trip" to Tel Aviv as Part of the State Visit of Van der Bellen
On the occasion of the official state visit of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WKO) is organising an economic mission entitled "Infrastructure" as well as the "Open Innovation for Corporates" future trip to Tel Aviv.
February 4, 2019
Austrian-Israeli Economic Relations - 20% Increase in Exports
On the occasion of the official state visit of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and the accompanying business delegation of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, the issue of the actual state of economic relations has arisen. The Austrian-Israeli foreign trade volume amounted to 568 million euros in 2017, with a trade balance surplus for Austria of 229 million euros. The Chamber of Commerce reports that Austrian exports to Israel increased by 20.3% in 2017. The trend seems to have continued in 2018. More than 600,000 overnight stays by Israeli tourists make Israel one of the top nations in Austrian tourism statistics.
February 4, 2019
Meet the Ambassador of the State of Israel to Austria: H.E. Ms. Talya Lador-Fresher
Ambassador Talya Lador-Fresher has been Ambassador of the State of Israel in Austria since 2015 and is Israel's permanent representative at the International Organizations in Vienna. She once told "The Diplomatic Club", that "It is hard to be a diplomat, it is harder to be an Israeli diplomat and even harder to be an Israeli woman diplomat."
January 30, 2019
Holocaust Remembrance Day in Vienna: "We Remember"
On 27 January, the 74th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp by the Red Army was celebrated. On the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day various commemorative events were held in Vienna, among others by the Vienna Israelite Community at Heldenplatz.
January 29, 2019
OMV Acquires 2.2 Billion Euro Share in United Arab Emirates Refinery
Austrian OMV and the state-owned oil company of the United Arab Emirates, Adnoc, announced that OMV has acquired a 15 percent stake in Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company. Thereby OMV establishes a major downstream Oil position. In addition, OMV will acquire a 15 percent stake in a trade joint venture with export volumes equivalent to around 70% of production.
January 28, 2019
Current Austrian Ambassador to Israel to Become Top Diplomat in the United States
Ambassador Martin Weiss, the current Ambassador in Tel Aviv and former Speaker of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, will become the new Austrian Ambassador in Washington D.C., USA.
January 24, 2019
Meet the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Austria: H.E. Mr. Yousuf Ahmed Hamed Aljabri
The new Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Austria, H.E. Mr. Yousuf Ahmed Hamed Aljabri presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
January 9, 2019
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
Austria's State Leaders Receive Authoritarian Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (Abd al-Fattah as-Sisi) also visited the Federal President, the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Parliament on the fringes of the EU-Africa Forum (High-Level Forum Africa-Europe), at which he received a EUR 350m commitment from the EIB to finance the expansion of the Cairo Metro. Every meeting emphasised that bilateral relations between Austria and Egypt were very good and that cooperation was to be extended. The former General, who is controversial because of his authoritarian style of government, had already made a clear rejection of the so-called "disembarkation platforms" in Egypt to the EU Council President Sebastian Kurz in Cairo during the summer.
December 19, 2018
High-Level Forum Africa-Europe - EIB Signs 3 Africa Projects Totalling Half a Billion Euros
At the Africa‑Europe High‑Level Forum in Vienna the European Investment Bank formally agreed a total of EUR 495 million of new financing for three projects in ten countries to support sustainable transport, clean energy and internet access projects in North, West and East Africa.
December 19, 2018
Austria to Open Embassy in Oman in 2019
Next year, the Austrian Foreign Ministry plans to reopen the Embassy in Muscat, the capital and largest city of Oman, which was closed for budget reasons in 2012.
December 13, 2018
Sebastian Kurz: EU and Switzerland to Intensify Relations Further
Federal Chancellor Kurz held a working meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset in Bern. The meeting focused on, among other topics, an assessment of Brexit, the Western Balkans, the nuclear agreement with Iran, relations with Russia and the priorities of the Austrian EU Presidency.
November 22, 2018
Anti-Semitism Conference in Vienna - Austria to Win Israel's Favor
A high-ranking conference against antisemitism with the motto "Europe beyond Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism - Securing Jewish Life in Europe" took place in Vienna. Participants included Ariel Muzicant, Vice-President of the European Jewish Congress (EJC), Education Minister Heinz Faßmann, EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova, EPP Group Leader Manfred Weber, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Anatoliyovych Klimkin and Chancellor Kurz. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had had to cancel his participation at short notice because of the government crisis in his home country. Likewise not a single official representative of the Austrian Freedom Party was present.
November 22, 2018
The OPEC Fund OFID Has A New Director-General
Saudi Arabian national Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa has taken over the post of Director-General of the OFID (OPEC Fund for International Development) from his predecessor Suleiman J Al-Herbish at the former Palais Deutschmeister at Vienna's Parkring 8. His task is to implement OFID's objective, which is to reinforce financial cooperation between OPEC Member Countries and other developing countries, by providing financial support to the latter for their socioeconomic development.
November 22, 2018
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