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Read updated news about key players in Vienna's international community, such as expats, executives, politicians, diplomats, investors, artists and others.
Vienna International Community - People in the News - Latest Headlines
Get to Know Austria's New Minister of Defence Thomas Starlinger
Thomas Starlinger (56) is an Austrian officer (Major General), consultant and politician. He is regarded as a proponent of a professional army. Most recently, he worked as an adjutant to Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, who also appointed him Federal Minister of Defence on 3 June 2019.
June 18, 2019
European Forum Wachau 2019 - Stability and Continuity in European Policy
Austria will continue to represent its interests in Europe in a proven manner, said representatives from politics and business at this year's European Forum Wachau.
June 17, 2019
New Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Took Office
Austria is and remains a reliable partner in the world and in Europe, stressed the new Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in his first speech to the Austrian National Council. Since developments at the international level are continuing and important decisions are pending, he said that what is needed most of all now is "a sense of proportion to what is possible, trust, reliability and stability".
June 17, 2019
Chancellor Bierlein Introduced Transitional Government to Parliament
"We stand for reliability and we are seeking trust", affirmed the first Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Brigitte Bierlein, at the beginning of her statement before the National Council plenary.
June 13, 2019
Cooperation of the Metropolises Hamburg, Vienna and Zurich
The three German-speaking cities of Hamburg, Vienna and Zurich want to cooperate more closely in their sustainable development within the framework of a city trialogue in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
June 12, 2019
Potential President of the EU Commission Michel Barnier Met Top of New Austrian Government
Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier was in Vienna to meet several members of the new government, including Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. Officially, the Brexit negotiations were the focus of the talks, however, unofficially Barnier repeatedly shows interest as Jean-Claude Juncker's successor in the office of EU Commission President.
June 11, 2019
Global Compact for Migration: Top UN Refugee Agency Diplomat Volker Türk at the Kreisky Forum
Austria's top diplomat in the UNHCR, a United Nations Programme, the international law expert Dr. Volker Türk has made an appeal to governments, NGOs and individuals to rethink refugee protection and to implement the UN Global Compact for Refugees adopted in 2018.
June 6, 2019
Austrian Top Diplomat Albert Rohan Deceased
As one of his first duties the new Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg had to inform the public about the death of one of the most distinguished diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Albert Rohan died shortly after his 83rd birthday. He had played a crucial role in shaping Austrian foreign policy in numerous international functions.
June 5, 2019
New Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg Inaugurated
The new Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (49) was sworn in by the Federal President as Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs. He succeeds Karin Kneissl.
June 5, 2019
Summit of German-speaking Heads of State in Linz 2019
This year's informal meeting of German-speaking heads of state with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, King Philippe of Belgium, Federal President Ueli Maurer, Hereditary Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen took place in Linz. The main topics were current political questions from the respective countries and the future of Europe based on the results of the European elections.
June 5, 2019
Ten Years of IST Austria Celebrations
IST Austria (Institute of Science and Technology Austria) was inaugurated in June 2009 with four professors. Today, almost ten years later, the Institute employs about 700 people, among them 34 European Research Council grantees out of 51 professors, performing cutting-edge research in biology, physics, mathematics, and computer science. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the opening IST Austria organized a festive event with the following participants, among others: Michael Ignatieff, Alice Dautry, Edith Heard, Daniel Zajfman, Alexander Van der Bellen, Johanna Mikl Leitner and Thomas A. Henzinger the president of IST Austria.
June 5, 2019
Western Balkans: Austrians Demand EU Accession Negotiations Begin
After the EU Commission issued a recommendation for the opening of accession talks with the two Western Balkan states North Macedonia and Albania, the European parliamentarians of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) Karas and Mandl demand that the "promises" be kept. The decision to open accession talks will be taken by the Member States later in June.
June 5, 2019
Karas Remains Head of People's Party EU Delegation for One Year, then Follows Edtstadler
The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) members of the European Parliament have elected Othmar Karas as their leader for only one year. From 2020, the second on the list, Karoline Edtstadler, will automatically take over. As reported by Vindobona.org, Edtstadler received more preferential votes in the EU election than Karas, the previous head of delegation.
June 4, 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
Criticism of the Lack of Foreign and European Policy Reports
The opposition, represented by Andreas Schieder (SPÖ), criticises the fact that for the last three years the Foreign Ministers Kurz and Kneissel have not submitted any annual Foreign and European Policy Reports for the purpose of reporting on fundamental foreign policy issues.
June 3, 2019
Government Declaration by Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein
The first female Federal Chancellor of Austria, Brigitte Bierlein, addressed herself after her inauguration in a short statement "to all Austrians and all people living in our country".
June 3, 2019
Swearing In of the Austrian Caretaker Government
Austria now has a transitional government team consisting of 12 people (six women and six men).
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
Combat Climate Change - António Guterres' Remarks at the R20 Austrian World Summit
Because of climate change all around the world the sea level is rising, floods, drought, wildfires and extreme storms appear, and people are now losing their homes and being forced to migrate. Read what António Guterres had to say in Vienna after a trip to the South Pacific.
May 30, 2019
40 Years of the UN in Vienna - Guterres, Kneissl and Ludwig at Ceremony
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the VIC Vienna International Centre (UNO-City), UN Secretary General António Guterres, former Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig attended a ceremony at the Vienna headquarters of the United Nations.
May 30, 2019
Clemens Jabloner Nominated Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Justice Minister
The former President of the Austrian Administrative Court for many years (1993 - 2013) and current University Professor of Legal Theory at the University of Vienna, Dr. Clemens Jabloner (70), is to become interim Vice-Chancellor and Justice Minister. This was announced by the new Austrian Interim Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein.
May 30, 2019 · Updated: May 30, 2019; 16:15
Alexander Schallenberg Appointed Austrian Foreign Minister and Minister for European Affairs
The new Austrian Interim Chancellor Ms. Brigitte Bierlein has declared her intention to appoint career diplomat and lawyer Dr. Alexander Schallenberg (50) as Karin Kneissl's successor and thus designated interim Foreign Minister and Minister for European Affairs.
May 30, 2019
Brigitte Bierlein to Become Austria's First Female Chancellor
The President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Austria is to be appointed interim Federal Chancellor in a few days. Clemens Jabloner becomes Vice-Chancellor and Justice Minister. Alexander Schallenberg becomes Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Affairs.
May 30, 2019 · Updated: May 30, 2019; 18:23
Farewell to Formula 1 Legend Niki Lauda
The international sports world and everyone who knew him bid farewell to Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda. Many celebrities were present at the funerals in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, along with his family, friends and companions. During the requiem, Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen said that we were standing at the coffin of a great Austrian.
May 30, 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
"Climate Kirtag" with Greta Thunberg and Arnold Schwarzenegger
The climate protection conference "R20 Austrian World Summit" at the Heldenplatz in Vienna ended with appeals by climate protection activist Greta Thunberg and Arnold Schwarzenegger at the "Climate Kirtag".
May 29, 2019
EU Election Preferential Votes - Edtstadler ahead of Karas
Although Austrian People's Party top candidate Othmar Karas received more preferential votes than in the last EU election, after counting most of the preferential votes he is still behind the list second candidate Karoline Edtstadler (also Austrian People's Party).
May 28, 2019
Transitional Government Following the Dismissal of Cabinet Kurz - What's Next?
After Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's cabinet had been expressed no-confidence in a special session of the National Council, the government was removed from office today by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. In a speech last night, Van der Bellen outlined the next steps towards a transitional government until the National Council elections in September as follows.
May 28, 2019
Head of China's Top Legislative Body in Vienna
Li Zhanshu, one of China's most powerful politicians was in Vienna and was received by Austria's central institutions despite the domestic political turbulences.
May 28, 2019
Song Duet with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Andreas Gabalier
The Styrian-American film star Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Styrian singer Andreas Gabalier have recorded together the motivation song "Pump it Up", a mixture of English rap singing performances. The song is about motivation and achieving your goals. The video also shows the two Styrians at sports.
May 28, 2019
European Elections 2019: Austrian Preliminary Final Results
The preliminary result of the 2019 European elections (without absentee ballot) has been announced. The Austrian People's Party won clearly ahead of the Austrian Socialist Party (SPÖ) and the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ). The Greens and NEOS followed in places 4 to 5. Votes cast by absentee ballot are not yet included in this result. The turnout without postal votes was 50.6%. In Vienna, the turnout including postal votes was 58.71%.
May 27, 2019
Austrian Government Dismissed: National Council Denies Government Confidence
The parliamentary motion of no confidence of the Social Democrats (SPÖ) was supported by the right-wing populist Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the Liste Jetzt. The majority of the members of the National Council thus expressed their distrust of Chancellor Kurz's government and removed it from office.
May 27, 2019
Austria's Government Faces Expected Motion of No Confidence
After the victory in the election to the European Parliament, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and his government are threatened with an abrupt end. The Social Democrats (SPÖ) will table their own motion of censure against the entire Kurz cabinet. A clear decision by the Freedom Party (FPÖ) is still pending.
May 27, 2019
European Elections - Who Stands for Election and How Can a Non-Austrian EU Citizen Vote in Austria?
After the political earthquake in Austria and the end of the turquoise-blue government, the EU election on Sunday is eagerly awaited. A decision will be made on 18 EU mandates from Austria. In European elections, EU citizens are entitled to vote in Austria as long as they are registered in the European electoral register.
May 24, 2019
Ibiza Affair: Austria Has a New Minister of the Interior
Eckart Ratz took over from Herbert Kickl - in the context of an expert government formed by Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz as a result of the Ibiza Affair - the official duties and the office of the Federal Minister of the Interior until the inauguration of a new government after the early National Council election in September 2019. Like his predecessor Herbert Kickl, Eckart Ratz also does not mince his words.
May 23, 2019
Austrian Transitional Government Takes Office
President Van der Bellen has sworn in the new ministers Valerie Hackl, Walter Pöltner, Eckart Ratz and Johann Luif.
May 22, 2019
Apostolic Nuncio Pedro Lopéz Quintana Arrived in Vienna
H.E. Archbishop Dr. Lopéz Quintana became the 92nd Apostolic Nuncio in Vienna after the first accreditation of a Pontifical Nuncio in 1529.
May 22, 2019
Jewish Museum: "Café As. The Survival of Simon Wiesenthal"
Simon Wiesenthal is known today as the man who dedicated his life to justice for the victims of the Shoah. But his profession as an architect, which he pursued until his persecution by the Nazi regime, has fallen into oblivion. The exhibition "Café As. Das Überleben des Simon Wiesenthal" shows 80 detailed designs by Wiesenthal for the "Café As", which he made for the Polish prisoner Edmund Staniszewski, who repeatedly gave him food and thus saved his life.
May 22, 2019
Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl to Remain in Transitional Government
While President Van der Bellen has removed Interior Minister Kickl from office, Foreign Minister Kneissl will remain in a transitional government at her own request.
May 21, 2019
Chancellor Sticks to Dismissal of Interior Minister - FPÖ Ministers Exit Government
Government crisis. Chancellor Kurz sticks to dismissal of interior minister. Right-wing populist FPÖ ministers leave government.
May 20, 2019
Ibiza-Video - New Elections in Austria after Vice Chancellor Resignation
After the release of the incriminating video of "foreign secret services" and the resulting resignation of Vice-Chancellor Heinz Christian Strache, the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) headed by Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz calls for early elections as soon as possible. He had also informed the Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. "Enough is enough", Kurz said in a press statement on Saturday evening.
May 18, 2019
Russia Expands Network in Upper Austria
Wolfgang Mayer of the company Backaldrin was elected Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation for Upper Austria in Asten/Upper Austria by the Russian Ambassador in Austria, H.E. Dmitrij Ljubinskij. After the already established Honorary Consulates in Innsbruck and Bludenz, he thus takes over the third Russian Honorary Consulate in Austria. His task is to look after the 3000 Russians in Upper Austria and to promote culture and education.
May 16, 2019
ALPS 2019: How Diplomacy and Commerce Fit Together
As part of the 11th ALPS round in May 2019, 21 international company and start-up founders from 13 non-EU countries had the opportunity to make contact with Austrian decision-makers, explore ways of working together and develop new ideas.
May 16, 2019
New Nuncio Lopez to Be Bridge between Rome and Austria
The new Apostolic Nuncio in Austria sees itself as an instrument of unity and communication between the Pope and the Church in Austria. This was underlined by Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana (65) at his first official meeting with the Austrian Bishops' Conference in Vienna.
May 15, 2019
Putin and Van der Bellen Open Sochi Dialogue Forum
The Sochi Dialogue Russian Austrian Forum was opened in the Black Sea port city as part of a working discussion between Russian and Austrian representatives from politics, business, science, education, art and culture.
May 15, 2019
Chinese Whispers - 中国私语
Don't miss the Chinese contemporary art exhibition "Chinese Whispers: Recent Art from the Sigg Collection", which shows 100 objects from the collection of the Swiss collector Uli Sigg until 26 May in the MAK - Museum of Applied Arts. Among other artists, works by internationally renowned artists such as Ai Weiwei, Cao Fei, Feng Mengbo, He Xiangyu, Liu Ding, and Song Dong are on display.
May 15, 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
Hermann Nitsch - Rooms Made of Colour
On the occasion of the 80th birthday of the Austrian painter and action artist Hermann Nitsch, his works can be seen and experienced in the Albertina as monumental colour spaces and rubble installations. The exhibition "NITSCH. Räume aus Farbe" shows Nitsch's pictures for the first time as painting for themselves: it bursts the dimensions of the panel painting, conquers the wall across the entire surface and intervenes in the room as a comprehensive installation.
May 10, 2019
Meet Thailand's New Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna: H.E. Ms. Morakot Sriswasdi
The new Permanent Representative of Thailand to the International Organizations in Vienna, Morakot Sriswasdi, presented her credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and to Yukiya Amano, IAEA Director General.
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
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