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Vienna International Community - People in the News - Latest Headlines
Read updated news about key players in Vienna's international community, such as expats, executives, politicians, diplomats, investors, artists and others.
EU Foreign Affairs Council: Schallenberg Warns of Second Iron Curtain
At this month's EU Foreign Affairs Council, current foreign issues, such as developments in Belarus, in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the relations with Russia, were on the agenda. Austria was represented by Foreign Minister Schallenberg.
October 12, 2020
Vienna Election 2020: Social-Democrats Are Clear Winners
The current Mayor of Vienna and the leading candidate for this election, Michael Ludwig from the SPOE, has successfully defended the first place in Vienna. Compared to the last election, the Social-Democratic Party has increased its popularity in Vienna even further and will now start negotiations with the other parties to form the next government.
October 12, 2020
Federal Chamber of Commerce: Lockdown Is Unthinkable and Needs To Be Avoided
The heads of the Federal Chamber of Commerce emphasize the importance of avoiding a second lockdown due to rising Covid-19 cases in Austria. They also demand further support measures for the economy and particularly hope that the EU approves the planned fixed cost subsidy.
October 9, 2020
Minister President of Bavaria Meets Kurz: "Borders Need To Stay Open"
Both, the Minister President of Bavaria Markus Söder as well as Austrian Chancellor Kurz, agreed on the fact that the borders between Germany and Austria need to stay open despite an increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases in both countries.
October 9, 2020
Increase in Funding for Austria's Ethnic Groups
Ethnic groups in Austria will be receiving more funding due to a recent decision made by the Austrian government. The last increase dates back 25 years ago, which is why high-ranking politicians were in favor of supporting the ethnic groups even more.
October 9, 2020
Belarusian Opposition Leader Tikhanovskaya Met Schallenberg
The famous Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who is currently trying to win the EU and European politicians over to help her and her supporters fight against the recent fraudulent election result, met Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Vienna.
October 8, 2020
Vienna-based OPEC Launches Newest Edition of World Oil Outlook
The 2020 OPEC World Oil Outlook (WOO) has been launched in Vienna providing, among other topics, the OPEC Secretariat’s in-depth look at the unprecedented scale and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global energy and oil markets.
October 8, 2020
Edtstadler Welcomes Progress in Accession Process of Western Balkan States
The European Commission has agreed on a financial package for economic integration of the Western Balkan states. The good developments in North Macedonia and Albania are not only welcomed by the European Union but also by Federal Minister Edtstadler.
October 8, 2020
Slovenian President will join Van der Bellen for "100 Years Carinthian Referendum"
For the first time ever, a Slovenian President will take part in the ceremony for "100 Years Carinthian Referendum". Slovenian Head of State Pahor will be joining his Austrian counterpart Van der Bellen for the celebrations.
October 7, 2020
Swiss Twannberg Meteorite at Natural History Museum Vienna
On the occasion of the official visit of the Swiss President of the Council of States Hans Stöckli to Austria, a piece of the Twannberg meteorite was handed over to the Natural History Museum Vienna. The piece that is estimated to be more than 150,000 years old can now be viewed in the Meteorite Hall of the museum.
October 7, 2020
Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Met Austrian Counterpart
The Swedish and Austrian Minister for EU Affairs have come together to discuss current EU topics which included migration policy, the joint fight against Covid-19 and recent developments between Great Britain and the EU regarding Brexit.
October 7, 2020
Dutch Opera Director Lotte de Beer Becomes New Head of Volksoper
The Dutch opera director Lotte de Beer, artistic director of the Dutch ensemble Operafront, will direct the Volksoper Wien from September 1, 2022 onwards. She was able to secure the position, for which more than 30 international and national applications were submitted.
October 6, 2020
Austrian Airlines to Reduce Flights and to Increase Short-Time Work
Due to new travel restrictions from Germany, Switzerland and other countries with regard to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Austria, Austrian Airlines will reduce the number of flights which were originally planned for the upcoming season to only 30% compared to last winter.
October 6, 2020
Foreign Ministry Announces First Special Representative for Humanitarian Aid
Austria's first-ever Special Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid will be appointed by the Foreign Ministry in order to assure the proper coordination of humanitarian aid projects. Effective allocation of funds which amount to EUR 50 million will also be part of the duties of Mr. Christoph Schweifer.
October 6, 2020
Schramböck: "Every New Infection Is a Potential Danger for the Business Location"
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Schramböck empasizes the importance of low infection rates for the business location. She demands more rigid measures for Vienna, which is currently the Covid-19 hotspot in Austria.
October 5, 2020
European Council Decides on Sanctions Against Belarus
The European Council which was attended by the heads of the 27 member countries decided on sanctions against Belarus as well as a threat of sanctions against Turkey. Chancellor Kurz, Autria's representative at the Council, is satisfied with the two-day long discussions.
October 5, 2020
Digital Days 2020 Reached Over 1,100 Registered Users
The Digital Days 2020 hosted by the City of Vienna as a hybrid event have welcomed over 1,100 users with more than 4,000 views in total. Digitalization in every business sector was discussed among politicians and experts from the business world.
October 5, 2020
75th UN General Assembly: Schallenberg Denounces Nuclear Weapons
Foreign Minister Schallenberg emphasizes at the 75th UN General Assembly that nuclear weapons pose a constant threat, while there are no advantages on the other side of the coin. He also advertises for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TNPW), which has already been signed by 84 countries.
October 2, 2020
Launch of the European Month for Cyber Security 2020
A joint information campaign of Europol and its partners will once again host the European Month for Cyber Security. This event should help the prevention of cyber crime by raising awareness and providing information to individuals and organizations.
October 2, 2020
Approval for EU Membership Remains High Among Austrians
A recent survey conducted by the Austrian Society for European Politics shows that the Covid-19 pandemic had only little or no effect on the approval for EU membership among the Austrian population. 70 percent of a representative sample wants to remain in the European Union.
October 2, 2020
UNIDO Partners Up With Women Leadership Forum to Hold Special Event
UNIDO and the European Brand Institute have organized the 8th Women Leadership Forum, which was held as a hybrid event in Vienna. International successful women as well as other supportive public figures have gathered together to empower women.
October 1, 2020
EU Special Summit Deals with Foreign Policy Issues
The EU government heads have come together to discuss foreign policy issues in Brussels. Chancellor Kurz is representing Austria at the meeting and has already met with Council President Michel, EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Borrell and Commission President von der Leyen.
October 1, 2020
European Commission Publishes First Report on Rule of Law
The European Commission has published its first report on the rule of law among member countries. Although the European Union requires high standards, there are still some procedures that need revision in order to assure independency and proper democratic systems. Even Austria has some catching up to do.
October 1, 2020
Van der Bellen Welcomes New Ambassadors
Federal President Van der Bellen welcomes new ambassadors from eight different nations to Austria. The new ambassadors have already begun with their work.
September 30, 2020
UNESCO Honors Vienna with "Smart City" Award
The city of Vienna was recognized by UNESCO fo its "innovative, intelligent, networked and explicitly sustainable" housing policy. Besides Vienna, other cities, such as Shenzhen (China), Dakar (Senegal) and Singarpore, have received other awards.
September 30, 2020
Public Deficit Amounts to 9.4%, Public Debt to 82.6% of GDP in First Half Year of 2020
Austria's government has lost its successful path to a lower public deficit due to Covid-19. In the first half year of 2020, the public deficit amounted to 9.4% while public debt rose to 82.6%. The outlook for the second half of 2020 is not much better and an increase of public debt is expected.
September 30, 2020
Tourism Conference: Clear Regulations and Low Infection Rates Are Prerequisites
Tourism in Austria will be possible with clear regulations and low infection rates, according to Tourism Minister Köstinger. The Federal Minister met with representatives of the federal states to discuss how and in which form winter tourism will be possible this year.
September 29, 2020
International Discussion About Europe's Fundamental Values in Salzburg
Politicians from Hungary, Srpska, Albania, Slovakia and Austria came together in Salzburg to discuss the fundamental values of Europe. Democracy, inner-European cooperation and the fight against Covid-19 were only some of the main topics.
September 29, 2020
Absentee Voting Week for U.S. Elections
The U.S. Consulate in Vienna has issued a guideline for absentee voting in the upcoming U.S. elections. The elections will take place November 3rd, yet voter registration and ballot requests need to be completed as soon as possible due to different deadlines across states.
September 29, 2020
Game-changing Transformations, Following the Response to COVID-19
A side event sponsored by IIASA and ISC as part of the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), attended among others by H.E. Ban Ki-moon and former President of Ireland H.E. Mary Robinson, addressed the game-changing measures that will help build a more resilient world and summarized key policy insights on how to move forward sustainably.
September 29, 2020
Austrian Economy Slumped by 12.1% in Q2 2020
The newly published report by Statistics Austria shows a massive economic slump in the second quarter of 2020. Austria's GDP declined by more than 12 percent compared to the second quarter of 2019 while expectations for the last two quarters of the year are not much better.
September 28, 2020
International Day for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons: Kurz and Schallenberg Issue Statement
On the international day for the complete abolition of nuclear weapons, Chancellor Kurz and Foreign Minister Schallenberg stated that nuclear weapons bring death and suffering rather than security and peace.
September 28, 2020
75th Anniversary of the UN: Schallenberg Addresses Member Countries
The 75th anniversary of the United Nations is used as a year of reflection for the UN member countries. Nevertheless, current topics and outlooks into the future are dominating the General Assembly at which Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg also delivered his virtual speech.
September 28, 2020
European Capital of Innovation Award: Vienna Recognized as Runner-up
The Belgium city of Leuven was awarded the European Capital of Innovation Award 2020. Vienna, which was still in the race up until the final round, was recognized as runner-up city together with Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Espoo (Finland), Helsingborg (Sweden), and Valencia (Spain).
September 25, 2020
Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) Presents his Credentials
Abat Fayzullaev, the new Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), presented his credentials to the Director-General of UNOV, Ms. Ghada Waly.
September 25, 2020
EXPO 2020 Dubai: Austria Pavilion Past First Construction Stage
The World Expo 2020 in Dubai, which will now be taking place in 2021, will also be starring about 100 companies from Austria. With the completion of the Austria Pavilion's first construction stage, these companies are now one step closer to a successful exhibition.
September 25, 2020
Meet the New Ambassador of Iran to Austria: H.E. Mr. Abbas Bagherpour Ardakani
The new Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Austria and to Slovakia, H.E. Mr. Abbas Bagherpour Ardakani presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
July 12, 2020 · Updated: September 25, 2020; 10:30
Ambassadors Traina and Turner at Austrian Media Days
US Ambassador Traina and British Ambassador Turner took part in a discussion about the world after corona at the Austrian News Days. Both recognized the rise of social media and its significant role in today's world.
September 24, 2020
Chief Rabbi of Vienna Meets Van der Bellen
Vienna's newly appointed Chief Rabbi Jaron Engelmayer made his inaugural visit to President Van der Bellen to discuss current topics of the religious community and the Covid-19 situation.
September 24, 2020
EU eGovernment Benchmark 2020: Austria in Top 3
New services on oesterreich.gv.at and the "Digitales Amt" app are having an effect - Austria is one of the top nations in the Europe-wide comparison. Only Malta and Estonia received better results in this year's EU eGovernment Benchmark.
September 24, 2020
Austrian Armed Forces Will Control Embassies
The Austrian Armed Forces will once again assist the Vienna State Police with the protection and surveillance of embassies. This will allow the executive forces to intensify their operations against Covid-19, while the Armed Forces will take over embassy protection.
September 23, 2020
Increase of Budget for Investment Subsidies to EUR 2 Billion
The Austrian Government has announced a budget increase for investment subsidies. A high demand and investment volume in the first three weeks of the application period has lead to this decision that is welcomed by the Federal Chamber of Commerce.
September 23, 2020
Cancellation of Vienna Opera Ball 2021
Due to the rise of Covid-19 cases in Austria, it was decided that the Vienna Opera Ball 2021 planned for February 11, 2021 will be cancelled. Although the Vienna State Opera put a lot of effort into security concepts, the wellbeing of the participants could not have been guaranteed.
September 23, 2020
Video Message by Kurz on the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations
Federal Chancellor Kurz has submitted a video message to the United Nations in which he emphasized Austria's commitment to international cooperation. He also praised UN's achievements, such as the human rights system and the Agenda 2030.
September 22, 2020
European Commission Approves Further EUR 4 Billion for Austrian Companies
Further EUR 4 billion intended to help Austrian companies sustain the Covid-19 crisis were approved by the European Commission. Grants and guarantees of up to EUR 800,000 per company can be given out in cases of hardship and danger of bankruptcy.
September 22, 2020
Schallenberg at Council of EU Foreign Ministers
The EU Foreign Ministers met in Brussels to discuss current issues such as developments in Belarus and Libya. Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg demands a "strong signal" from the EU towards the Belarusian government.
September 22, 2020
European Capital of Democracy Coming Soon
The newly formed initiative "European Capital of Democracy" will try to give civilization more access to democracy by supporting activities and events that aim to improve and strengthen democracy. The first capital will be selected next year.
September 21, 2020
Vienna Aims for Champions League of International Start-Up Scene
The start-up event ViennaUP'21 will be at the center of the international start-up scene in the spring of 2021. Many well-known formats have already assured their participation and will move the spotlight to Vienna from April 27 to May 12 2021.
September 21, 2020
Swiss President Welcomes Kurz
Swiss President Sommaruga and Austria's Chancellor Kurz met near Bern to discuss current topics related to the Covid-19 pandemic and the cooperation between the two countries. Kurz also met with CEOs of leading Swiss pharmaceutical companies to discuss the current vaccine developments.
September 21, 2020
Permanent Representative of Latvia to the International Organizations in Vienna Presents Credentials
The new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to the United Nations, the OSCE and other International Organizations, Katrīna Kaktiņa presented her credentials to the Director-General of the UN Office in Vienna (UNOV) and Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
September 18, 2020
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