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Latest Headlines about other Organizations in Vienna
Read the latest headlines about developments at other organizations participating in the business, diplomatic and cultural environment of Vienna, Austria
Othmar Karas Warns Against Extremism and Emphasizes the Importance of the Political Center in Europe
Around two weeks before the EU elections, the outgoing first Vice-President of the European Parliament, Othmar Karas (nor ÖVP), issued an urgent warning about the dangers of "extremism and nationalism". At a press conference at the party headquarters of the South Tyrolean People's Party (SVP) in Bolzano, Karas emphasized the need for a strong "political center" characterized by cooperation and compromise.
May 27, 2024
Anti-Muslim Racism in Austria Reaches New High
The Documentation Center Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Racism (Documentation Center Austria) recently published worrying figures for the year 2023. A total of 1,522 cases of racist attacks on Muslims were recorded, which is the highest number since records began in 2015.
May 27, 2024
Concordia Ball 2024: A Celebration of Freedom of the Press
On May 24, 2024, Vienna City Hall was transformed into the venue for the 124th Concordia Ball, at which the media industry, artists, and cultural figures as well as an international ball audience set an impressive example for freedom of the press. This year, the traditional ball, organized by the Concordia Press Club, was all about free journalism and diversity of opinion.
May 26, 2024
Supply Stop and Human Rights Allegations for OMV
OMV, Austria's leading energy company, is currently under immense pressure. Two developments could have a significant impact on the company and the Austrian energy market: the threat of Gazprom stopping gas supplies and serious allegations of involvement in war crimes against former OMV executives in Sudan.
May 22, 2024
Russia Begins Nuclear Weapons Exercises Near Ukraine
Russia has begun nuclear weapons exercises near the Ukrainian border, once again issuing a stronger nuclear threat to the West. The exercises, which are taking place in the south of Russia, include training with tactical nuclear weapons, as announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
May 21, 2024
Austria's Constitutional Protection Agency Warns of Chinese Economic Espionage
The Austrian Office for the Protection of the Constitution has issued an urgent warning about Chinese industrial espionage. Small and medium-sized enterprises and research centers are particularly at risk.
May 20, 2024
FPÖ Wants Orban as EU Commission President
The top candidate of the Austrian right-wing party FPÖ is threatening to stop EU contributions under an FPÖ government and would like to see the Hungarian prime minister as EU Commission president.
May 20, 2024
Brenner Transit Dispute: Austria and Italy Go to European Court
The long-running dispute over the anti-transit measures on the Brenner route between Austria and Italy continues to escalate: the European Commission has cleared the way for Italy to take Austria to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
May 16, 2024
Raiffeisen Bank International Withdraws from Controversial STRABAG Transaction
Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) has announced that it will no longer pursue the planned acquisition of shares in STRABAG SE. This decision was made public in an ad hoc announcement in which the bank stated that it had not received the necessary comfort in discussions with the relevant authorities to proceed with the transaction. RBI therefore decided to refrain from the transaction for reasons of prudence.
May 15, 2024
René Benko Business Scandal: Abu Dhabi's Ruling Family Demands Millions Back
The ruling family of Abu Dhabi, led by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, is demanding the return of 250 million euros from René Benko via the International Court of Arbitration (ICC) in Paris.
May 14, 2024
Austrian NEOS Party Calls for Special Audit on Flawed Austrian Counterintelligence
In a recent initiative in the Austrian National Council, the NEOS party has requested a comprehensive special audit by the Austrian Court of Audit focusing on the effectiveness of counter-espionage measures in the central ministries. This demand is particularly directed at the ÖVP-led interior, foreign, and defense ministries, which, according to NEOS Secretary General Douglas Hoyos, have shown a "lax" attitude to counter-espionage for decades.
May 13, 2024
FPÖ Demands Stricter Control of Austria's Payments to Ukraine
In a recent debate in the Austrian parliament, the FPÖ called for establishing a separate control body to review the financial support provided by Austria and the EU to Ukraine. FPÖ MP Susanne Fürst expressed concerns about the efficiency of the existing control mechanisms and warned of the risk that the billions in aid could seep into the "channels of the Zelenskyy regime".
May 13, 2024
High Turnover of Russian Embassy Staff in Austria
The Austrian authorities are at the center of a sensitive security debate as diplomatic relations with Russia are strained by high staff turnover and serious allegations of espionage. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg addresses these issues in light of new parliamentary questions.
May 13, 2024
Ukrainian Embassy in Vienna Protests Against FPÖ Election Poster
The Embassy of Ukraine in Vienna has lodged a formal complaint with the Austrian Foreign Ministry after an election poster by the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) caused outrage.
May 8, 2024
Remembering the Past, Preserving the Future: Liberation Ceremonies in Mauthausen and Melk
In an impressive gathering, thousands of people commemorated the liberation of the Mauthausen concentration camp and its satellite camps to keep the lessons of history alive and fight against forgetting. International delegations, including high-ranking representatives from politics and society, gathered to underline the importance of law and justice and to honor the victims of National Socialism.
May 8, 2024
Medical Research Cooperation between Austria and France
An important framework agreement between Austria and France was signed at the French embassy, laying the foundations for closer scientific cooperation. The French Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) and the Austrian Wolfgang Pauli Institute (WPI) will intensify the transnational research and knowledge exchange.
May 7, 2024
Diplomatic Collisions on the Nuclear Front: Global Nervousness over Russia's Nuclear Maneuvers
Increasing tensions and recent developments regarding nuclear exercises and rhetoric pose a number of challenges for Europe, European security and especially Austria as the home of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
May 6, 2024
20 Years of EU Enlargement: Austria Looks at the Success Story of European Integration
Exactly 20 years ago, on May 1, 2004, a historic enlargement of the European Union came into force. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Cyprus became member states, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Europe. This fifth round of enlargement marked a milestone for the countries involved and a significant change for Austria, as Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and the Austrian Society for European Politics emphasize.
May 5, 2024
RBI in a Balancing Act Between Sanction Risks and Solid Management
Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) is currently caught between geopolitical tensions and its own business progress. Recent developments have led the bank to take cautious steps to avoid sanction risks on the one hand and to present its robust quarterly results on the other, which show that the bank remains strong even without the income from Russia and Belarus.
May 2, 2024
Republic of Austria Opposes Restructuring of Signa Development
The Republic of Austria has filed an appeal against Signa Development's fiduciary restructuring plan, leaving the future of the restructuring process of the real estate conglomerate founded by René Benko hanging in the balance. This legal action could lead to a complete reassessment of the restructuring strategy.
May 1, 2024
Vienna National Defense Academy to Host Regional Strategy Course for the Western Balkans
The "Regional Strategic Leadership Course" is part of a larger initiative launched in 2018 to promote cooperation between the defense ministries of Austria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
April 30, 2024
Vienna to Host the "TRATOLOW" Climate Conference for the Western Balkans and Turkey
In a crucial meeting in Vienna today, leading climate and environmental representatives from the Western Balkans, Turkey and the EU discussed strategies to tackle climate change. Organized by the Austrian Ministry for Climate Action, the EU Department for Climate Action and the Austrian Environment Agency, the conference focused on the TRATOLOW project, which aims to achieve a sustainable climate transition in these regions.
April 29, 2024
Vienna Hosts Major International Conference on Autonomous Weapons Systems
The historic Hofburg Palace in Vienna will be the center of global attention as it hosts the international conference entitled "Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapons Systems and the Challenge of Regulation." The Vienna Conference on Autonomous Weapons Systems will take place from April 29 to 30, 2024.
April 28, 2024
Future of Research in Austria: Leader in the European Union
In an unprecedented phase of development, Austria's research landscape has set out to achieve the highest research quota within the European Union. The year 2024 marks a turning point in which the country achieves a research quota of 3.34% of gross domestic product (GDP) - a record figure that puts Austria on the ambitious path to the top in Europe.
April 24, 2024
Flow-Through Capital Despite Sanctions: Russian Investments in Austria Continue to Flow
While international tensions and the war in Ukraine, which has been going on for more than two years, are putting a heavy strain on relations between Russia and the West, Austria remains a remarkably robust magnet for Russian investment. Contrary to expectations that the extensive international sanctions against Russia would curb capital flows, the latest data from the Austrian Ministry of Economic Affairs' investment control report shows a different reality: Russian investments in Austria rose by 14% to EUR 25.5 billion in the first half of 2022.
April 22, 2024
Climate Incentive Programs in the USA: A Magnet for Austrian and International Investors
At an information event in Austria, the U.S. Commercial Service and SelectUSA, together with the American Chamber of Commerce in Austria, provided important insights into the latest U.S. climate incentive programs. The event attracted a large number of Austrian and international investors who learned about the opportunities offered by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
April 18, 2024
Raiffeisen Bank International Expects ECB Call to Accelerate Withdrawals from Russia
Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) is facing increasing pressure from the European Central Bank (ECB) to reduce its business activities in Russia more rapidly. This follows a number of developments and the publication of an ad hoc announcement by the bank in which it is expected that the ECB will make an official request to accelerate the wind-down measures in the near future.
April 18, 2024
Escalating Tensions: EU Responds to Iranian Missile Strikes on Israel
Tensions in the Middle East have further escalated following the recent Iranian drone and missile attacks on Israel, prompting an international response, particularly from the European Union. An urgently convened virtual meeting of EU foreign ministers, including Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, took place to discuss the situation and possible steps to be taken.
April 17, 2024
Group DF International and Hyundai Engineering in Vienna: New Industrial Park in Ukraine
In an ambitious move to aid Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, Group DF International, led by controversial Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash, and Hyundai Engineering Co. Ltd., have embarked on a major venture to establish a chemical industrial park in the city of Rivne, situated in Western Ukraine. This pivotal agreement was officially sealed in Vienna, setting the stage for what is poised to be one of the most substantial investment initiatives in the region.
April 15, 2024
OSCE Chair Ian Borg Concludes Diplomatic Tour Across Serbia, Kosovo, and Moldova
Ian Borg, the Chair-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Malta’s Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, recently wrapped up a series of diplomatic visits aimed at strengthening partnerships and advocating for continued dialogue and cooperation within the OSCE member states, focusing on Serbia, Kosovo, and Moldova.
April 15, 2024
Vienna Stock Exchange Experiences First Record Quarter Despite Global Uncertainties
The Vienna Stock Exchange closed the first quarter of 2024 with a remarkable increase in bond listings, although the economic environment continues to be characterized by high-interest rates, the ongoing war in Ukraine and the Middle East, and high inflation. Despite these challenges, the exchange recorded a record 3,000 new listings, the best start to a year in its history.
April 14, 2024
Escalating Tensions at Europe's Largest Nuclear Plant Amidst War in Ukraine
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest nuclear facility, has become a focal point of escalating tensions and mutual accusations between the two nations. The plant, seized by Russian forces early in the invasion, now sits precariously at the center of military and geopolitical strife, with both nations accusing each other of dangerous provocations.
April 14, 2024
FPÖ Distances Itself from Friendship Treaty with "United Russia"
In a press conference, the Third President of the National Council, Norbert Hofer, clarified that the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) relativizes the friendship treaty concluded with the United Russia party in 2016. This comes in light of the recent accusations of an espionage affair involving the FPÖ.
April 14, 2024
Russia's Covert Influence in Europe: Current Strategy Only "Plan B"
The Czech government recently revealed the existence of a Moscow-funded propaganda network that used the Prague-based online portal Voice of Europe to influence the upcoming EU elections. Austrian political scientist Gerhard Mangott and his Ukrainian colleague Anton Shekhovtsov explained that this tactic was merely Russia's "plan B".
April 10, 2024
Slovakia Takes the Helm of ICPDR Presidency
In the annual transition for the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), Slovakia has officially taken over the presidency from Serbia, marking the beginning of a year dedicated to enhancing the health and sustainability of the Danube River Basin.
April 9, 2024
Annual Conference of European Local Councils in Vienna
In the magnificent setting of the Austrian National Library located at the Hofburg, leading political players, including Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Austrian Minister for Europe Karoline Edtstadler, gathered for the conference marking the annual meeting of the European Community Councils.
April 9, 2024
Austria Deploys 50th Contingent to Kosovo for Peacekeeping
The Austrian Armed Forces are continuing their long-standing commitment to peace and security in Kosovo. At the beginning of April, the 50th contingent of Austrian troops will be deployed to the KFOR mission. This mission, in which Austria has been involved since 1999, will now be continued under the leadership of Colonel Bernhard Gruber of the General Staff Service, who will assume responsibility for around 190 soldiers.
April 8, 2024
Escalation in the Tariff Dispute: AUA Facing Massive Flight Cancellations at Easter
Austrian Airlines (AUA) is on the brink of an extensive strike, which is to begin on Maundy Thursday and last 36 hours. Negotiations between the trade union vida and AUA management have so far been unsuccessful, leading to the announcement that over 400 flights will be canceled during the peak travel period at Easter. Around 50,000 passengers will be affected by the cancellations, significantly disrupting the Easter plans of many travelers.
March 26, 2024
Christoph Leitl Re-elected President of the European Movement Austria
Christoph Leitl has been re-elected President of the European Movement Austria (EBÖ). With a view to the upcoming European elections on 9 June and the forthcoming appointment of the new EU Commission in the autumn, Leitl emphasizes the importance of the EU as a peace project and the need to find European answers to current issues.
March 25, 2024
Trade Seminar in Vienna on the Latest Regulatory Developments in the UAE
Diplomacy, business, and finance representatives gathered in Vienna for a seminar dedicated to the latest regulatory developments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Organized by the Embassy of the UAE in cooperation with Crowe UAE and the Austrian Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC), the seminar provided a platform for an exchange on innovations in tax, corporate, and immigration law in the UAE. The event received special support through the participation of experts from the UAE Ministry of Finance and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.
March 24, 2024
Negotiations at AUA at a Standstill: Risk of Strike at Easter Increases
An impending strike at Austrian Airlines (AUA) is casting its shadow and threatening the upcoming Easter travel season. The negotiating parties are sticking to their positions regarding the collective agreements and an agreement seems a long way off.
March 24, 2024
Austrian Economic Chamber: Opportunities and Challenges for Austria in Global Trade Dynamics
Against the backdrop of an increasingly interconnected global economy and the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, Mariana Kühnel, Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), emphasized the critical role of international trade for the Austrian economy. On the occasion of the Market Access Day in Vienna, she spoke about the need to secure access to global markets and open the doors to international sales markets, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
March 21, 2024
Francophonie Forum in Vienna: A Bridge Between Culture, Business and Sport
An event took place in Vienna that underlined the cultural and economic importance of the Francophonie. The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), in close cooperation with the French Embassy in Austria and the French-Austrian Chamber of Commerce (CCFA), organized the forum "L'industrie du sport parle français" ("The sports industry speaks French").
March 21, 2024
Harmony and Dialogue at the Interreligious Iftar in Vienna
In an impressive demonstration of unity, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and the President of the Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ), Ümit Vural, hosted an unprecedented interfaith iftar. The event, which took place in the historic Palais Niederösterreich, brought together representatives of different religious communities and personalities from politics, science, and diplomacy.
March 20, 2024
Small Unrest During EU Parliament President Metsola's Visit to Vienna
The Austrian capital was the scene of a heated appearance by EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola. During a public event at the Law Faculty of the University of Vienna, which was held under the motto "Ask President Metsola", there were loud protests and interruptions by demonstrators. The discussion, which was originally supposed to cover topics such as the future of the EU, the upcoming European elections, and international political affairs, lost focus when the Middle East conflict came up.
March 20, 2024
New Dynamics on the Labor Market and with the Red-White-Red Card: Austria Relies on the Influx of Skilled Workers
At a meeting of the interministerial Skilled Workers Strategy Committee, decisive measures to speed up the procedures for the Red-White-Red Card were discussed. The aim is to combat the shortage of skilled workers in Austria through more efficient recruitment of internationally skilled workers and to increase the location's attractiveness.
March 19, 2024
Elections in Russia Also Held in Vienna: Between Protest and Farce
In Vienna, there were unusually long queues outside the Russian embassy as numerous young Russians lined up, sometimes for hours, to take part in the presidential election. However, their efforts were in vain as Vladimir Putin secured the elections in Russia, which were deemed neither fair nor honest internationally.
March 18, 2024
Austria Expels Two Russian Diplomats and Austrian Ambassador in Moscow is Summoned
After Austria recently declared two Russian diplomats undesirable persons, Russia is now summoning Austria's ambassador to the Foreign Ministry. This indicates a serious deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two countries. So far, a total of eleven Russian diplomats have been expelled from Austria since 2020
March 14, 2024
European Gas Conference in Vienna Postponed due to Protests
The European Gas Conference planned for March 26-28 in Vienna is no longer on the international energy industry's calendar. Security concerns caused by announced protests forced the organizers to postpone the event indefinitely.
March 14, 2024
Inflation Outlook for Austria Shows Significant Improvement
The Austrian National Bank's (OeNB) latest inflation forecast gives cause for cautious optimism for the Austrian economy. Inflation has decreased and economic growth has also returned since the start of the year, albeit weakly.
March 13, 2024
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