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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.
Descendants of Nazi Victims Have the Right to Austrian Citizenship
From September on, it is easier for descendants of Nazi victims to apply for the Austrian citizenship. This was announced by Interior Minister Nehammer in order to "take historical responsibility for the crimes of the Nazi regime".
September 1, 2020
Tax Reform Will Be Valid from September 1 on
According to Finance Minister Blümel, the tax reform will be valid on from September 1 and there will be a corresponding refund for salaries already taxed with retroactive effect from 1 January 2020.
August 31, 2020
National Council President Sobotka Met Slovak and Czech Counterparts, Kollár and Vondráček
Austria's National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka invited his Slovak and Czech counterparts, Boris Kollár and Radek Vondráček, to discuss the cooperation between the three neighboring countries and other political issues.
August 31, 2020
Hatice Gruber-Tschida Appointed New Managing Director of Österreich Institut
Hatice Gruber-Tschida, former Head of the Integration Centers Division of the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), will be the new Managing Director of the Österreich Institut, which is responsible for language teaching in the area of international culture at 10 locations in Belgrade, Brno, Bratislava, Budapest, Krakow, Rome, Sarajevo, Moscow, Warsaw, and Wroclaw.
August 28, 2020
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Berlin
Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg has come together with the other EU Foreign Minister to discuss current foreign affairs. The main topics were the conflict between Greece and Turkey, the current situation in Belarus, relations between the EU and Russia, and the peace process in the Middle East.
August 28, 2020
Federal Minister Nehammer: Joining Forces with Bavaria in the Fight Against Organized Crime and Trafficking
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann and Austria's Karl Nehammer intensify cooperation in the fight against human trafficking and organized crime. The two politicians have come together for a working meeting in Vienna.
August 28, 2020
Industry at Alpbach Technology Talks: Austria's Federation of Industries Demands to Start the Technology Offensive Now
The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (Industriellenvereinigung) Georg Knill used the European Forum Alpbach to underline the importance of research, technology and innovation for a wealthy future economy.
August 28, 2020
German-Speaking Finance Ministers Met in Vienna
Vienna hosted the tenth informal meeting of the German-speaking finance ministers. Representatives of Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Austria took part in discussions about Covid-19 and the future of taxes.
August 28, 2020
Iran Allows Vienna-based IAEA Access to Controversial Nuclear Facilities
Vienna-based IAEA is allowed to inspect two nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. After an ongoing dispute between the IAEA and the Iran, a joint statement settles the dispute.
August 27, 2020
Austrian Construction Company Porr Reports Losses in the Second Quarter of 2020
The second largest construction company in Austria, Porr, recorded losses in the first half of the year 2020. The obvious reason: Covid-19 and the subsequent shutdowns and restrictions.
August 27, 2020
Austrian Foreign Ministry Endows Special Prize for International Art
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announces a new prize for international artistic projects that deal with the impact of technology and digitalization on society.
August 27, 2020
Agreement between the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and the IAEA
After intensive bilateral consultations, the Director General of the IAEA and the Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Head of the AEOI, Ali-Akbar Salehi, reached an agreement on the resolution of the safeguards implementation issues specified by the IAEA, in good faith.
August 26, 2020
Federal Minister Edtstadler Promises Action Plan Against Anti-Semitism
Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister of Austria for the EU and Constitution, introduced an action plan that will be implemented in the fall. This plan will comprise about 30 measures to fight ongoing anti-Semitism.
August 26, 2020
Van der Bellen Promoted a Common, Greener European Future at the 75th European Forum Alpbach
Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen opened the 75th European Forum Alpbach with his speech that focused on international cooperation and an environmentally friendly and sustainable future.
August 26, 2020
US and British Universities At the Top, Austria's Universities are Mid-Table
Similar to the recent years, British and US universities are dominating the newly published "Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities". Austria's best result was a ranking in between 151 to 200 by the University of Vienna.
August 26, 2020
Austrian Real Estate Companies with Devaluations in Central and Eastern Europe
Austrian real estate companies CA Immo and s-Immo felt the pressure of the Covid-19 crisis and had to face significant revaluations of their properties in Austria, Germany and Central Eastern Europe.
August 25, 2020
Financial Assets of Austrians Back at Record Level After Slump
Austrians have never been richer than today. Private financial assets have recovered and improved after a significant decline in the first quarter of 2020 due to Covid-19.
August 25, 2020
Despite Covid-19 Crisis: Austrian Automotive Supplier Pollmann International Builds Plant in Mexico
Austrian company Pollmann International expands to Mexico where it will build a plant in order to better supply the Central and South American market.
August 25, 2020
Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig Met German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz
Mayor Michael Ludwig and German Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz met for a working meeting in Vienna. Discussions were held about economic relations and municipal topics such as affordable housing.
August 25, 2020
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka Presents Credentials to the United Nations Office at Vienna
The new Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations (Vienna), Majintha Jayesinghe, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).
August 25, 2020
Criticism of SPÖ Officials Concerning Belarus
TV appearances in the Belarus state TV of two Austrians with close boundaries to the SPÖ led to an immense wave of criticism. One claims that the news coverage in Belarus is too European friendly. The other repeats a main propaganda message from Lukashenko's party.
August 25, 2020
Islamic Motivated Offender Attacked Synagogue
Yesterday a press conference was held concerning the attack of a synagogue and the president of the Jewish community in Graz. The attacker was identified as a Syrian citizen with an Islamic motive. In the upcoming weeks, synagogues in Austria will be protected by police officers.
August 25, 2020
Austria Expels Russian Diplomat, Russia Reacts and Expels Austrian Diplomat
After the Austrian Foreign Ministry had declared a Russian diplomat an undesirable person in connection with accusations of espionage, Russia has now reacted by deporting an Austrian diplomat.
August 24, 2020
President Van der Bellen at the Salzburg Festival: "Artists Need All Our Support"
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen invited his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier accompanied by Elke Büdenbender to a festival and working visit in Salzburg. Both presidents agreed on the fact that artists are in a very difficult situation at the moment and need to be supported.
August 24, 2020
Federal Minister Edtstadler: "We Must Protect and Promote Jewish Life Throughout Europe!"
After the recent attacks on the President of the Jewish Communities in Graz, Federal Minister Edtstadler made clear that Jewish life in Austria needs to be protected and promoted by any means.
August 24, 2020
Kaiser Apologizes for the Chaos at the Border
Governor Peter Kaiser apologized today to all people who got stuck at the borders to Austria on Saturday evening. He says that this situation should never happen again and claims that communication problems between the federal and the state government led to the chaos.
August 24, 2020
Vienna: 44 Hectares of Train Station Will Turn Into Housing for 16,000 People
By 2033, the City of Vienna together with Austrian Railways (ÖBB) will turn the train station at Nordwestbahnhof (20th district, Brigittenau) into living spaces that will comfort 16,000 people.
August 21, 2020
Vienna Based UNIDO Holds Expert Panel to Discuss Developments in Industry and Society
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization hosted an expert panel about the future of industry and society. Main topics were the advancement of attaining the sustainable development goals and shaping society as a whole.
August 21, 2020
Newest Report from Austrian Retail Association - Handelsverband: Top 100 Retailers Account for 55% of Austrian Consumer Spending
In the newly published report from the Austrian Retail Association - Handelsverband Rewe the top 100 retailers are responsible for more than half of Austrian consumer spending. Rewe sits on top of the list with a turnover of EUR 6.69 billion.
August 20, 2020
Austrian Assistance to Palestinian Refugees with EUR 8.1 Million
Over the period 2020 to 2022, Austria will pay a total of EUR 8.1 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
August 19, 2020
75th Anniversary of the Opening of the Liberation Monument at Schwarzenbergplatz: Austrian and CIS Officials Hold Ceremony
75 years after the unveiling of the Liberation Monument, Austrian President of the National Council Wolfgang Sobotka and Ambassadors of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries commemorated once again the Soviet soldiers killed during World War II.
August 19, 2020
Molecular Immunologist Penninger and AACC Discuss Potential Research Cooperations with Arab Countries
The Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce in Vienna welcomed prominent researcher and molecular immunologist Prof. Josef Penninger for cooperative talks on the subject of establishing modern and state-of-the-art research centers and scientific units in Arab countries.
August 19, 2020
Corona Infected People Are Getting Younger
The number of Corona cases is rising in Austria. However, the average age of the infected people is lowering and Minister Anschober is appealing to young people to consequently stick to all measures.
August 18, 2020
"Passport Doesn't Matter" Election in Vienna
About 30% of the population in Vienna is not allowed to vote in the election on October 11 as they do not have an Austrian passport. Therefore, "SOS Mitmensch" organizes again this year the "Passport doesn't matter" election where non-citizens can symbolically vote for their favourite party.
August 18, 2020
European Forum Alpbach Will Be Host to Numerous Outstanding Personalities Beginning August 23
The European Forum Alpbach will be opened by Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen on August 23 and will host various outstanding speakers, either in person or virtually, for 12 days.
August 18, 2020
Austrian Officials Open 13th IPU Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament
The 13th IPU Summit is held virtually and will cover important topics dealing with countless inequalities women face today. The organization of the event is a common effort between the Austrian Parliament and the United Nations.
August 18, 2020
Visit of US Secretary of State to Austria Results in a Joint Declaration by Austria and the United States
A joint declaration by Austria and United States was issued as part of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to Austria. The declaration included, among other topics, commitment to rebuilding efforts after the Covid-19 crisis and the creation of an even better bilateral dialogue.
August 15, 2020
Meeting Between Čaputová and Van der Bellen
The Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen met his Slovak counterpart Zuzana Čaputová to talk mainly about climate change.
July 24, 2020
Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania Presents Credentials
The new Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations (Vienna), Maimuna Kibenga Tarishi, presented her credentials today to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly.
July 24, 2020
Illegal Migration: Austria Calls for More Coordination and Cooperation on Eastern Mediterranean Routes
Agreement reached at the Ministerial Conference to Combat Illegal Migration on the Eastern Mediterranean Routes in Vienna. It was decided to establish a platform for the fight against illegal migration.
July 24, 2020
New IOM Regional Director Renate Held Presents Credentials at UN Vienna
The new Permanent Representative of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to the United Nations, Renate Held, presented her credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna. The IOM has offices in 19 countries and territories in the "South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region" (SEEECA) including sub-regional offices in Central Asia and the Western Balkans.
July 22, 2020
New Georgian Ambassador to Austria Has Taken Up Her Post
H.E. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, the newly appointed Ambassador of Georgia to the Republic of Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations and former Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality in Georgia, has handed over her credentials to the Foreign Ministry and the UNOV United Nations Office at Vienna. She succeeds H.E. Mr. David Dondua in this position.
July 21, 2020
Coronavirus in Vienna: Update - July 20, 2020
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has also hit the metropolis of Vienna hard and the number of infected cases and unfortunately also deaths is constantly increasing. It must also be assumed that an unknown number of people who do not suspect this has already been infected. Medical science does not yet know the virus exactly. What is known so far is that in 80 percent of the cases the infection is mild. The mortality rate is currently three per cent, compared with just under one per cent for influenza. What is the Vienna Pandemic Plan? What is the situation in Vienna and what can be done individually? Questions and answers on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) below.
July 20, 2020
Meet the New Ambassador of India to Austria: H.E. Mr. Jaideep Mazumdar
The new Ambassador of the Republic of India to Austria, H.E. Mr. Jaideep Mazumdar presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
July 12, 2020 · Updated: July 15, 2020; 10:10
25 Years Srebrenica: Austria Commemorates the Victims of the Greatest Genocide in Europe since the End of the Second World War
The genocide of Srebrenica, the worst crime in Europe since the end of the Second World War, is currently being commemorated for the 25th time. This day of remembrance serves to commemorate the thousands of murdered people who lost their lives in the days after 10 July 1995.
July 13, 2020
Meet the New Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Austria: H.E. Mr. Majintha Jayesinghe
The new Ambassador of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Austria, H.E. Mr. Majintha Joseph Priye Jayesinghe presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
July 12, 2020 · Updated: July 13, 2020; 10:25
Meet the New Ambassador of North Korea to Austria: H.E. Mr. Choe Kang Il
The new Ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to Austria, H.E. Mr. Choe Kang Il presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
July 12, 2020 · Updated: July 13, 2020; 10:25
Meet the New Ambassador of Mexico to Austria: H.E. Mr. Luis Javier Campuzano Piña
The new Ambassador of the United Mexican States to Austria, the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Slovenia, H.E. Mr. Luis Javier Campuzano Piña presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg. He is also the new Permanent Representative of Mexico to the international organizations in Vienna.
July 12, 2020 · Updated: July 13, 2020; 10:20
New Dean of International Anti-Corruption Academy Accredited at United Nations Office at Vienna
Thomas Stelzer, an Austrian diplomat who serves as the Dean, Executive Secretary and Permanent Representative of the Laxenburg based IACA - International Anti-Corruption Academy presented credentials to the Director-General of UNOV - United Nations Office at Vienna.
July 12, 2020
Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from North Korea, Iran, India, Sri Lanka and Mexico
Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the five newly accredited Ambassadors of the Republic of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of India and the United Mexican States to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.
July 12, 2020
