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Bilateral Relations between Middle Eastern Countries and Austria
Austria and Middle Eastern countries - Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, diplomacy, culture and tourism

OPEC's World Oil Outlook 2021 Launched in Vienna
OPEC's flagship annual publication, the World Oil Outlook 2021, was launched via videoconference in Vienna. OPEC forecasts 6% increase in global oil demand in 2021. Learn about the specific highlights of this year's World Oil Outlook.
September 29, 2021


UN Vienna: Gulf Cooperation Council Appoints New Permanent Observer

The new Permanent Observer for the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Gulf, the Saudi Arabian Ali Abdulla Ebrahim Ali Aljawder, presented his credentials to the UN in Vienna.
September 24, 2021


Iran Nuclear Talks to Continue in Vienna

Discussions regarding the future of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, are set to continue in Vienna. This has been confirmed by Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, also announced to the IAEA Board of Governors that Iran has agreed to allow IAEA inspectors to service the agency’s monitoring and surveillance equipment in Iran and replace their storage media. These developments come as US President Joe Biden has publicly expressed interest in returning to the agreement that his predecessor unilaterally withdrew from.
September 24, 2021

Doing Business with the United Arab Emirates: World Expo 2020 Opens in Dubai
The World Expo 2020, which kept its name despite being delayed to 2021, is set to begin in Dubai on 1 October. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been a particularly sought-after market for many Austrian companies. Read about the upcoming Expo, the economic relationship between Austria and the UAE, and some of the many Austrian companies that have found success there.
September 23, 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


Security and Stability: Austria Deepens Cooperation with UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman

Foreign Minister Schallenberg visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman on a four-day trip to the Gulf region. While there, he spoke with various officials, including his counterparts: UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi. The main topics of discussion were security, especially regarding extremism, and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 15, 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

Austrian University Spin-offs at the World Expo in Dubai
The World Expo 2020, which retained its name despite being postponed to 2021, will begin in October in Dubai. Various Austrian university spin-offs will present their innovations that will have positive impacts on climate-conscious behavior. These spin-offs include GREENPASS, REEgain, WoodC.A.R., City Intelligence Lab (CIL), Mostly AI's Mostly GENERATE, and Incremental3D's myPot. Read more about Austria's contribution to the upcoming World Expo and what innovations these spin-offs will be presenting.
September 8, 2021 · Updated: September 8, 2021; 16:16


One Million Corona Vaccine Doses for Tehran

Due to the spread of the delta variant, Iran is currently suffering from the fifth and most severe wave of the coronavirus pandemic. To help assist Iran in the fight against the pandemic, Austria is providing the country with one million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Austrian Ministers Schallenberg, Nehammer, and Mückstein all expressed their support for the aid package.
September 8, 2021


Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein Calls on Austria to Reopen Embassy in Baghdad

The Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein visited Vienna and the European Forum Alpbach at the invitation of Alexander Schallenberg. The topics of the conversation between the two foreign ministers according to the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Vienna.
September 2, 2021



Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein in Vienna


Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in Vienna for bilateral discussions. Some specific issues the pair discussed include Afghanistan, the security situation in Iraq and the Middle East, terrorism, and migration. Read about their meeting and watch their joint press conference.
September 1, 2021

17,000 Descendants of Nazi Victims Demand Austrian Citizenship
In the one year since the change in the Citizenship Act allowed the descendants of victims of Nazi persecution the right to Austrian citizenship, the Vienna Municipal Department 35 (MA 35) has received nearly 17,000 applications. Around 10,000 of these applications still need to be processed. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and the President of the Jewish Community Oskar Deutsch reflected on the program on its one-year anniversary.
August 31, 2021


Violence Based on Religion or Belief: Vienna Human Rights Envoy Calls for Release of Detainees

On the International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief Vienna’s Human Rights Commissioner called for the release of Iranian Sotoudeh and Egyptian Santawy while reaffirming the need for freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
August 26, 2021


Solidarity with Lebanon: Austria Sends 100,000 Vaccines

The COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the multiple crises Lebanon is already facing, including the massive explosion in Beirut, an economic crisis, and political and social instability. Austria is donating 100,000 COVID-19 vaccines to aid Lebanon in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
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


Pioneering Hydrogen Alliance between the United Arab Emirates and Austria

On the occasion of the visit of the Ruler and Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to Austria, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Austria agreed on a strategic partnership. The core of the agreement is closer international cooperation in the fields of hydrogen, renewable energy, youth exchange, green technologies, digital economy and research, according to the UAE Embassy in Vienna and Chancellor Kurz.
August 1, 2021


Peace in Hard Times: Global Peace Photo Awards Ceremony

After canceling the event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Peace Photo Awards Ceremony 2020 was recently held in Baden. The Global Peace Photo Awards Ceremony 2021 will be held later this year. These awards honor the images that best capture the theme of peace each year. Read about the ceremony and who won the awards for 2020.
July 30, 2021

Vienna Airport: Resumption of Flights to Toronto, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Jeddah
Vienna International Airport announced the resumption of flights to Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The flight resumptions will also provide more connection opportunities to other destinations around the globe.
July 28, 2021


Arab-Israeli Rapprochement in Vienna: Israel and Morocco Plant Friendship Tree

Ambassador of Israel to Austria, Mr. Mordechai Rodgold, hosted the Ambassador of Morocco to Austria, Mr. Azzeddine Farhane, for the planting of a friendship cedar tree at the Embassy of Israel in Austria.
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



Arab Ambassadors in Vienna and Economic Relations between their Countries and Austria


The Ambassadors from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia, and the UAE to Austria provided an economic overview of their countries and their relationship with Austria in an online forum with the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC).
July 11, 2021



Qatar and Vienna Exchange Cooperation Ideas


Ambassador of Qatar to Vienna Salmeen Al-Mansouri and Mayor of Vienna Michael Ludwig express mutual interest in further cooperation between Qatar and Vienna with the full support of the Secretary-General of the AACC Mouddar Khouja.
July 6, 2021


Schallenberg at Anti-IS Coalition Meeting: "No Country is Left Out as a Gallic Village"

At the Global Anti-IS (Anti-Daesh) Coalition Meeting in Rome, Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg and his European and global counterparts discussed how to best combat the current threats of Islamist terrorists.
June 29, 2021


Saudi Arabia Aims to Deepen Relations with Austria

During a working visit by the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud in Vienna, he and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg have agreed on expanding trade relations and other economic cooperations. Read more below.
June 23, 2021


Permanent Representative of Syria to the International Organizations in Vienna Presents his Credentials

The new Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations (Vienna), Hasan Khaddour, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly.
June 18, 2021


IAEA Urges Iran to Resolve Issues Related to Four Undeclared Locations

Technical discussions between the IAEA and Iran have not yielded the expected results, and the lack of progress in clarifying the Agency’s questions concerning the correctness and completeness of Iran’s safeguards declarations seriously affects the ability of the IAEA to provide assurance of the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme, according to Rafael Mariano Grossi.
June 8, 2021



Israel Flag Hoisting Crisis: Protest of Arab Ambassadors in Austria


All 17 ambassadors of Arab states accredited in Vienna protest against the raising of the Israeli flag on the roofs of the Austrian Federal Chancellery and the Austrian Foreign Ministry.
May 27, 2021


Vienna and Israel Deepen Friendship

The City of Vienna proofs once again that it cherishes its Jewish Community and its good relations with Israel. For this sake, Mayor Michael Ludwig and Ambassador Mordechal Rodgold came together to set an example for fa deepening friendship.
May 26, 2021


Israeli Flag Over Austrian Federal Chancellery Causes Diplomatic Tensions with Iran

The display of solidarity with Israel on top of the Federal Chancelry over the recent tensions in the Gaza Strip sparked a small diplomatic crisis between Austria and Iran.
May 18, 2021 · Updated: May 19, 2021; 13:01

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


Dubai Expo: Which Austrian Companies Will Benefit from the Exhibition in the UAE?

Expo 2020 Dubai, which will take place in the United Arab Emirates from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, is advertised above all as an opportunity for "Austrian companies to make a lasting impression with their innovative strength and creativity". The fact is that so far apparently only a handful of construction and design-related companies directly involved in the development of the Austrian pavilion financed by Austria are benefiting from the project. Which Austrian companies are involved in the project, you will find out in the following.
April 27, 2021



Activities of Arab Countries in Vienna to Strengthen Mutual Cooperation


The Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) under Secretary General Eng. Mouddar Khouja reports on various activities and means to strengthen mutual cooperation between Austria and the Arab countries UAE United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Qatar.
April 25, 2021


Schallenberg Offers Austrian Expertise for Conflicts Around Nile

At the virtual Council of the EU Foreign Ministers, Austria's Alexander Schallenberg and his colleagues discussed the current situations in Belarus and Ukraine as well as the conflicts in Myanmar and Ethiopia. With regard to the ongoing tensions in Tigray around the Nile, Schallenberg offered Austria's expertise with regard to joint management of rivers.
April 22, 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


Raab Criticizes Turkey's Withdrawal from Istanbul Convention

Austria's Women's Affairs Minister Raab sharply criticized Turkey's withdrawal from Istanbul Convention at a high-level EU conference with other EU Ministers for Women's Affairs. According to Raab, "Turkey's decision disregards and endangers the lives of millions of women and girls."
April 8, 2021


Austria Continues Support for Syria

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has agreed on providing aid of more than EUR 18 million for Syria and Syrian refugees. On the occasion of the ten year anniversary of the crisis and the fifth Brussels Conference on "Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region", Schallenberg demands an end for the wait for peace in Syria.
March 31, 2021


EU Council: Kurz Demands Fairer Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution

At the recent EU Council, Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and the other EU heads of government discussed the Covid-19 vaccine supply and distribution with the European Union. Kurz once again emphasized the need for a fairer distribution among member countries and is full of hope that Austria will soon receive more doses.
March 26, 2021


Austrian Airlines Resumes Operations with London and Tel Aviv

After the landing ban for passengers from the United Kingdom imposed by the Austrian government and the generally difficult air traffic situation with Israel in recent weeks, travel to London and Tel Aviv can now once again be offered by Austrian Airlines. Connections to China will, however, be suspended until April 9, 2021.
March 24, 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


Crisis in Yemen: "Humanitarian Aid is Vital for Survival"

In order to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, the Austrian government has decided to provide EUR 3 million for the malnourished and diseased people from Yemen. The funds will be provided to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is currently working in Yemen to better the situation for the Yemeni population.
March 9, 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


Israel, Denmark and Austria Agree on Covid-19 Cooperation

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz agreed on establishing a joint research and development foundation as well as on vaccine production. Chancellor Kurz stressed the importance of global cooperation in the fight against Covid-19.
March 5, 2021


Austrian Foreign Ministry: New Appointments to 30 Senior Diplomatic Positions Worldwide

The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten) under the guidance of Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has decided in today's meeting of the Council of Ministers the new appointments of several (30) Austrian representative authorities - as follows.
February 24, 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


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



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
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