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.

Austrian Parliament Implements EU Directive for Better Protection of Whistleblowers

Whistleblowers are to be better protected in Austria in the future. After a delay of more than a year, the Austrian Parliament today passed a new Whistleblower Protection Act and accompanying amendments to the law, thus implementing a corresponding EU directive.

February 1, 2023

Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Are Important: Assistant Professor From Georgetown University Jamil Scott in Austria

Assistant Professor Jamil Scott from Georgetown University was present in Vienna at Amerika Haus and in Linz at Johannes Kepler University to talk about political behavior in different aspects.

February 1, 2023

Premiere for the TechDiplomacy Talk at the Austrian Foreign Ministry

On the occasion of the Vienna visit of the United Nations Envoy for Technology, Under-Secretary-General Amandeep Singh Gill, a TechDiplomacy Talk was held at the Austrian Foreign Ministry. Read more about the premiere of the new format!

February 1, 2023

Austrian Parliament Passed Memorial Day Resolution Regarding Romani People and Sinti

The Austrian Parliament passed the resolution regarding a memorial day for the Romani people and Sinti. As in the original motion for a resolution by the coalition parties, it is proposed that the Roma and Romnja, Sinti, and Sintizze who were persecuted and murdered under the Nazi regime be commemorated on August 2nd.

January 31, 2023

Minister Edtstadler Met With Hungarian Minister Varga in Vienna

Austrian Europe Minister Karoline Edtstadler has met with the Hungarian Minister of Justice Judit Varga in Vienna where they talked about current challenges such as illegal immigration and the Russian aggression on Ukraine.

January 31, 2023

First Steps Towards the Establishment of a Shoah Center in Vienna

According to Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community Vienna (IKG), a memorial similar to those in Israel and the U.S. should also exist in Austria. Minister of Constitution Karoline Edtstadler supports such steps towards the establishment of a Shoah Center in Vienna.

January 31, 2023

OSCE Condemns Russia’s Decision to Outlaw Independent News Outlet Meduza

Moscow continues its campaign against opposition Russian media with unabated vigor. The Riga-based web portal "Meduza" is banned completely in Russia. The OSCE denounced the Russian authorities’ decision to outlaw one of the most popular Russian-language news portals.

January 31, 2023

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Bujar Osmani Will Visit Brussels

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Chairperson-in-Office and Foreign Minister of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani will visit Brussels to meet with EU and NATO Officials.

January 30, 2023

Wikimedia Austria Awards Prize for Free Knowledge 2023 at Viennese Ball of Science

The Austrian Prize for Free Knowledge honors people and organizations that communicate knowledge under a free license. The award ceremony took place at the Vienna Ball of Science in the presence of Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler, Mayor Michael Ludwig and City Councilor Veronica Kaup-Hasler.

January 30, 2023

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte Met with Chancellor Nehammer

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer Welcomed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Vienna. Their main topic of discussion was migration and requesting EU regulations regarding the external borders.

January 30, 2023

Chancellor Nehammer Visited Georgia

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer has visited Georgia and expressed his support for the country’s EU integration. He also understood the complicated situation and showed comprehension regarding the Russia sanctions.

January 30, 2023

Thriller Surrounding Ex-Chief of Belarusian Raiffeisen Subsidiary

The head of the Belarusian Raiffeisen subsidiary Priorbank and ex-honorary consul of Austria in Belarus has now been released after a period of imprisonment. The Austrian diplomat Sergey Kostyuchenko, who is said to have made great contributions to bilateral relations between Minsk and Vienna, was a political prisoner of Alexander Lukashenko's regime over the last year.

January 30, 2023

French Ambassador to Austria Opens Exhibition for "Jean Egger - Revolutionary of Modern Painting" in Linz

The French Ambassador to Austria, Gilles Pécout, opened the exhibition "Jean Egger - Revolutionary of Modern Painting" in the Lentos Museum in Linz with a speech praising his influence on modern art.

January 29, 2023

Joint Commemoration of the Victims of the Shoah

On the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, representatives of the Israeli Religious Community, the Roma, the Government of Austria, the Embassy of Israel in Vienna and the humanist parliamentary parties commemorated the victims of the Shoah.

January 29, 2023

International Vaccine Institute Opens an Austrian Office

International Vaccine Institute (IVI), an international health organization dedicated to developing, delivering, and evaluating vaccines for global health, announced the opening of its Austrian Country Office.

January 26, 2023

French Embassy in Vienna Awards Academic Palms

The French Ambassador to Austria, Gilles Pécout, presented the Academic Palm to four personalities during a ceremony at the Embassy in the presence of the Austrian Federal Minister for Europe and Constitution, Karoline Edtstadtler.

January 25, 2023

United States Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh Visits Austria

Marty Walsh, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, visited Austria and learned about best practices in apprenticeship training from several government and industry representatives. This was a further expansion of bilateral relations based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2022 to strengthen cooperation between the U.S. and Austria in apprenticeship training.

January 25, 2023

Foreign Minister Schallenberg Has Met with OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmidt

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has met with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Secretary General Helga Maria Schmidt, where they highlighted the importance of the OSCE as a dialogue platform.

January 25, 2023

Mauthausen Memorial Research Award 2022 Awarded

The Mauthausen Memorial Research Award was presented for 2022 this year. The ceremonial presentation by the jury took place at the Vienna site of the concentration camp memorial. Two submissions convinced the jury of experts, consisting of representatives from contemporary history and memorial culture.

January 24, 2023

Bosnia and Herzegovina is the New FSC Chairmanship of the OSCE

Bosnia and Herzegovina was recently appointed to hold the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) Chairmanship for the first term of 2023. Each meeting's agenda is set by the Chairmanship, which emphasizes issues concerning the implementation of commitments adopted by the Forum. Bosnia and Herzegovina shows empathy with Ukraine, due to the country's own history of violent conflicts.

January 24, 2023

Chancellor Nehammer Requests Two Bio. Euros for Bulgaria’s Border Protection

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer asked the EU Commission for two Bio. Euros to support Bulgaria’s border control. Nehammer and the Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner observed the situation this week at the Bulgarian-Turkish border.

January 24, 2023

Accusations of Violence Against Designated Bangladeshi Ambassador to Austria

Former Bangladesh Foreign Director General Mohammad Tauhedul Islam is designated to be the next Bangladeshi Ambassador to Austria. However, he is facing serious accusations which are halting his next career move.

January 24, 2023

New Memorial Plaque on Stubenring Commemorates Victims of the Nazi Regime

A commemorative plaque for the victims of Nazi military tribunals was unveiled today by Minister of Social Affairs Johannes Rauch, Minister of Justice Alma Zadić, Minister of Agriculture Norbert Totschnig and Minister of Labor and Economic Affairs Martin Kocher at the government building on Stubenring in Vienna.

January 23, 2023

Physics Nobel Prize Winner Anton Zeilinger Holds Public Lecture at the University of Vienna

At a public lecture in the Audimax of the University of Vienna, physics Nobel laureate Anton Zeilinger takes the audience on a journey through the "wonderful world of quantum".

January 23, 2023

IAEA Chief Grossi and Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Visit Brussels

Austria recorded a small but significant diplomatic success at Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg's visit to the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. Already in the run-up to the meeting, the EU foreign ministers met Rafael Grossi, Director General of the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), on the initiative of Foreign Minister Schallenberg.

January 23, 2023

Schallenberg Warns About Nuclear Weapons on the Anniversary of the TPNW

On the second anniversary of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg gave strong warnings about the threats and use of nuclear weapons.

January 22, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Welcomed OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani in Kyiv

The Organisation for Cooperation and Security (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office and Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. Osmani ensured support for Ukraine during Russia’s “unjustified and unprovoked war”.

January 17, 2023 · Updated: January 20, 2023; 12:00

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Bujar Osmani Presented North Macedonia’s Plan at the Permanent Council

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Chairman-in-Office and Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani presented the country’s priorities and plans for the year 20223 at the permanent council. The top priority he addressed was Russia’s aggression on Ukraine.

January 12, 2023 · Updated: January 20, 2023; 12:00

Exchange of Topics Between Foreign Minister Schallenberg and his Counterpart of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met with his Macedonian counterpart Bujar Osmani, where they discussed several topics including topics regarding the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). From January 1, North Macedonia has taken over as the chair of the organization for this year.

January 11, 2023 · Updated: January 20, 2023; 12:00

Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani Visits Vienna

The Foreign Minister of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, met in Vienna with the Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, as well as with the OSCE leadership, as North Macedonia will assume the OSCE Chairmanship for 2023.

September 1, 2022 · Updated: January 20, 2023; 12:00

Austrian President Van der Bellen Admits Mistakes Regarding Putin

In a recent interview, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen explained how he feels about obvious mistakes made during his first term in office. In his opinion, this also includes his words of praise for Austrian-Russian relations and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

January 19, 2023

Romania’s Ambassador to Austria Returns to his Position

Romania’s Ambassador to Austria Emil Hurezeanu is returning to its position in Vienna. He was recalled after Austria blocked Romania’s Schengen accession in December.

January 19, 2023

Fracking Is Causing Tensions in the Austrian Parliament

Fracking has caused tensions in the Austrian parliament. Climate protection Minister Leonore Gewessler from the Green Party tried to pass a law banning Fracking in Austria. However, the party’s coalition partner in the government, the Austrian People's Party (OEVP) declined the law.

January 18, 2023 · Sponsored Content

German Chamber of Commerce in Austria Organized New Year's Reception 2023 in Graz

After two years of interruption, the traditional joint New Year's reception of the German Chamber of Commerce in Austria (DHK) could finally be held again. The cultivated atmosphere of the auditorium of the Old University of Graz provided the setting for the event, which was attended by around 200 representatives of the Styrian business community.

January 18, 2023

Ukraine Criticises Schallenbergs Statement

Ukraine has criticized Austrian Foreign Ministers’ statement of “overshooting the mark” regarding the visa ban on Russian citizens. Ukrainian officials are not pleased with this statement and Invited Alexander Schallenberg to Dnipro.

January 17, 2023

Armenian Foreign Minister Visits Vienna Because of Nagorno-Karabakh's Worsening Humanitarian Situation

Armenia's Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan is currently on a working visit to Vienna to participate in the Special Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council initiated by Armenia, due to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. In addition, Mirzoyan met with Ghada Fathi Waly, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna and with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.

January 17, 2023

First Meeting Between Austrian and French Foreign Ministers in Paris

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg traveled to Paris for various working talks and meeting to strengthen Franco-Austrian relations. There was also the first bilateral meeting between Austria's Schallenberg and France's Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.

January 17, 2023

Swiss President Alain Berset Visited Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the newly inaugurated Swiss President Alain Berset. It is a tradition that newly inaugurated Swiss Presidents make their first state visits abroad in Austria. Berset also met with Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, and many more Austrian politicians.

January 16, 2023

Large Natural Gas Field Found in Austria

The small town of Molln in Upper Austria could make an important contribution to the gas supply of the entire country in the next few years if the conjectures prove true. Test drilling is said to have already taken place, therefore it is known that the gas is of the best quality. The Australian company ADX Energy wants to start drilling for it this spring.

January 16, 2023

Foreign Minister Schallenberg Calls for Non-Exaggeration Regarding Russia

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has said that we should not punish 144 million Russians regarding their visas for entering the EU. He said that we should unequivocally support Ukraine, but also keep the diplomatic path open with Russia.

January 16, 2023

Confucius Institute at the University of Vienna Organized Spring Reception

The Confucius Institute of the University of Vienna organized a reception for the Chinese Spring Festival. The Chinese New Year "The Year of the Rabbit" is dedicated to the Water Rabbit. At the reception, the Chinese Embassy Counselor in Vienna also gave a speech.

January 15, 2023

Ceremonial Reopening of the Parliament in Vienna

On the occasion of the opening of the renovated parliament building, a grand ceremony was held in the Federal Assembly Hall, which was attended not only by top domestic politicians but also by numerous guests of honor from Austria and abroad. The historic house on the Ring, which took five years to renovate and modernize, now shines again in its new splendor.

January 12, 2023

Oskar Deutsch Reelected as President of Vienna Israelite Community

At the constituent meeting of the Board of the Vienna Israelite Community, Oskar Deutsch was re-elected as President and confirmed Michael Galibov and Claudia Prutscher as Vice Presidents.

January 11, 2023

Key Witness in Wirecard Trial Said that Books Were “Specifically” Adjusted

The Wirecard trial goes to the next round. The key witness in the trial confessed that the company books were hectically and specifically adjusted to fit the fraud. Those fake books were then shown to the auditor.

January 11, 2023

Austria's Karl von Habsburg Calls for an End to Vladimir Putin's Regime

The last Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary, Karl von Habsburg, has strongly condemned the Russian regime and its President Vladimir Putin since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. In his "Speech on the Future of Europe," the president of the Pan-European Movement Austria advocates greater military support for Ukraine.

January 11, 2023

The Hike of Real Estate Prices Is Ending

The rise of prices for real estate is slowly coming to an end. The Austrian Real Estate Association (OVI) reported in front of journalists that the prices have hit the ceiling now. However, this is not a drop in prices but just a stabilization of them. The demand for real estate has gone back in the last months.

January 10, 2023

Vienna Establishes "External Reporting Office for EU Infringements"

An External Reporting Office for EU Legal Violations, which was set up in Vienna at the beginning of 2023 following the requirements of the EU Whistleblowing Directive, is to make it possible to report violations of EU law. Marion Winkler took over the management of the External Reporting Office with an appointment decree.

January 10, 2023

OSCE Secretary General Does Not See Russia’s Expulsion as a Solution

The Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE) was originally founded to promote dialogue between Eastern and Western Europe. In a recent interview, Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid explains why the exclusion of Russia despite the war is unthinkable.

January 9, 2023

Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International Gets Under Pressure Due to Russo-Ukrainian War

Its involvement in Russia keeps Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) and its managers, led by Johann Strobl, very busy. The subsidiary institution in Moscow is RBI's biggest profit earner and almost the entire RBI board is on the Ukrainians' "awaiting sanctions" list. Whether RBI will stay in Russia and how to proceed is still unclear, as the banking group is in a tricky situation.

January 9, 2023

First International Cross-Over Transplantation for Kidney Disease at Vienna University Hospital AKH

In the University Hospital Vienna AKH, for the first time made possible by diplomacy, a kidney was implanted in a 31-year-old Viennese, which was flown in from Israel by a living donor. A few hours earlier, a kidney was removed from his brother at Vienna General Hospital and transferred to Israel on the same plane.

January 9, 2023