RSS
Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian politics with reference to the international interest
Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic
Hallstatt App 2.0 - Protective Measures against Chinese Tourists
The Upper Austrian community defends itself against too many tourists, especially from China and South Korea. Since the Chinese built an exact copy of the city in Guangdong Province, and the South Koreans partly shot a soap opera in Hallstatt, the popularity of the Dachstein community has increased enormously. As a result, more and more tourists come to Hallstatt as part of a bus tour classic with 4 destinations including Hallstatt. In the previous year there were exactly 19,344 coaches. For the first time in the history of Austria, a town is now defending its friendly visitors by implementing the new "Traffic Concept Hallstatt 2018" and by strictly controlling the entrance to the town centre.
January 29, 2019
Haus der Geschichte Österreich - Evaluation by a Team of Experts
The recently opened House of Austrian History is intended to present the history of Austria from the middle of the 19th century to as broad an audience as possible, with a special focus from 1918 to the present day in its European and international context. A team of experts met for the first time and will present a concept for the long-term design of the institution until the summer.
January 28, 2019
Austrian Development Cooperation until 2021 - Sustainable Development Reaching People
In the next three years, the Austrian Development Cooperation will focus above all on the promotion of women and local development assistance.
January 24, 2019
Indexation of Family Benefits: "There are no second-class children in the EU"
The EC European Commission opens an infringement procedure against Austria, as it pays families less child benefit if their children live in another EU country with a lower cost of living.
January 24, 2019
Austria's Religious Controversy over Good Friday Holiday - Statement of the ECJ
The judgement of the European Court of Justice published yesterday is now available at Vindobona.org and can be reviewed by interested parties. According to Chancellery Minister and Austrian People's Party government coordinator Gernot Blümel, the Austrian federal government will also do the same, according to which the status quo will be maintained and no new holiday will be introduced. But until Austria changes the clause, employers would have to grant all employees the right to a holiday on Good Friday. If employees could not make themselves free, they would be entitled to additional pay.
January 23, 2019
Population Development - City of Vienna at 1.9 Million Inhabitants
Last year Vienna grew by 11,000 inhabitants. The birth surplus was 4,000, the migration gain 7,000. Immigration from Great Britain was disproportionately high due to Brexit fears. Serbia is the strongest group of immigrants. The influx of refugees has fallen back to the level before the wave of refugees. In 2027 about 2 million people will live in Vienna.
January 22, 2019
Radio Interview with the Austrian Ambassador to the United Kingdom
Rosie MacLeod spoke to Michael Zimmermann, the new Austrian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, about the presidency and Austria's place within the European Union more generally.
Rosie MacLeod · January 21, 2019
Von der Leyen in Vienna - Europe Is Shaping an Army
At a meeting of the defence ministers of Germany, Austria and Switzerland in Vienna, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen once again called for a common European army and closer cooperation.
January 18, 2019
Austria Signed Memorandum with Economic Chambers of Western Balkan States
The representatives of the Economic Chamber and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Harald Mahrer and Karin Kneissl, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Economic Chambers of the Western Balkan states Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro. The aim is to strengthen regional cooperation at the economic level, particularly in the area of dual vocational training.
January 18, 2019
Kosovo - Austrian KFOR Mission Extension until End 2019
At a time when tensions between Serbia and Kosovo are once again rising due to the dispute over Kosovo's own army, Austria has decided to extend its deployment within the framework of the multinational peacekeeping operation in Kosovo (KFOR) until the end of 2019 with a contingent of up to 600 members of the armed forces.
January 11, 2019
Austria's Contribution to the OSCE in 2019
The Main Committee of the Austrian National Council recently approved the continuation of numerous deployments to international missions, including tasks in the framework of the OSCE Special Observation Mission to Ukraine, the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the EU Mission to Georgia, where, inter alia, cooperation with the OSCE is taking place.
January 10, 2019
Global Report on Trafficking in Persons Launched in Vienna
The report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was presented by UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov at a special event of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) with Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl. Drawing on information from 142 countries, the report examines trafficking trends and patterns, and puts the spotlight on human trafficking in armed conflict.
January 7, 2019
EU-Africa Forum - Heads of State Share Vision on Cooperation Between Africa and Europe
The High-Level Forum Africa-Europe met at the ACV-Austria Center Vienna to focus on "Taking cooperation to the digital age". The debates focused on the cooperation between the European Union and African countries in the areas of innovation and digitisation, in particular the question of how the benefits of digital change can benefit everyone.
December 19, 2018
Refugees and Skilled Migration - How to Solve the Political Crisis?
Around 500 participants ranging from politicians and policy makers to opinion leaders and experts from governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society organizations gathered recently at the Aula of Sciences in Vienna. The third Vienna Migration Conference 2018 aimed at solving the political crisis related to refugee protection and addressing European needs for skilled migration.
December 19, 2018
Kosovo to Build its Own Army: US and UK in Favour, Austria, EU and Nato Oppose
The Kosovar parliament decided against the strong advice of both the EU and NATO to set up official armed forces. Serbia's leadership cautions against a new war. Austria's Foreign Ministry warns and assesses the decision to form an own army as "not helpful".
December 14, 2018
Afghanistan - Reopening of Austrian Embassy in Kabul in Discussion
At about the same time as the drama about the 16-year-old girl killed by a 17-year-old Afghan in her childrens' room in Steyr took its course in Austria, H.E. Idrees Zaman Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan and Austria's Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl met to discuss the reopening of the Austrian Embassy in Kabul, visa issues and other issues of mutual interest.
December 14, 2018
Soros University Leaves Budapest in Favor of Vienna
In Hungary, the Central European University (CEU) has faced massive hostility. As a consequence, the location will be relocated to Vienna. Michael Ignatieff, the rector of CEU, announced this week in Budapest that the university is finally moving: "This is a dark day for freedom in Hungary, and it's a dark day for academic freedom." In Vienna, negotiations are still underway on a suitable building for interim use from 2019. By 2023, the university is to move permanently to the grounds of the Otto Wagner Hospital.
December 6, 2018
Bratislava - Vienna Railway Line Extended
The two EU capitals Vienna and Bratislava are approaching each other. After a construction period of about two years, representatives of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), the EU, the City of Vienna and the Province of Lower Austria opened the first part, the so-called "Vienna section" of the Vienna - Bratislava line extension. The completion of the second part, the so-called "Lower Austrian Section", will last until 2023. The journey time from the main railway station in Vienna (Hauptbahnhof-Wien) to the main railway station in Bratislava (Bratislava hlavná stanica) will be reduced from 66 minutes to 40 minutes.
December 5, 2018
What Brexit Means for Austrian Federal Provinces
The economic links between the Austrian provinces and the United Kingdom show that the withdrawal will not only be disadvantageous for the UK, but will also leave its mark on Austria's economy. According to a chart of the Thinktank Agenda Austria, the Austrian federal states whose exports will be hardest hit by the UK's departure are Upper Austria and Styria.
November 29, 2018
How to Eliminate Violence against Women?
In context with the UN-sponsored campaign "International Day for the elimination of violence against women", there are various initiatives against violence against women not only at the UN, but also in Brussels and Vienna. Federica Mogherini announced that the EU has decided to allocate an additional €5 million to support the projects of Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Nadia Murad and Dr Denis Mukwege. And the Austrian Foreign Ministry, together with the Austrian Integration Fund, is participating in the campaign "16 days against violence against women".
November 26, 2018
Sebastian Kurz: EU and Switzerland to Intensify Relations Further
Federal Chancellor Kurz held a working meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset in Bern. The meeting focused on, among other topics, an assessment of Brexit, the Western Balkans, the nuclear agreement with Iran, relations with Russia and the priorities of the Austrian EU Presidency.
November 22, 2018
Anti-Semitism Conference in Vienna - Austria to Win Israel's Favor
A high-ranking conference against antisemitism with the motto "Europe beyond Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism - Securing Jewish Life in Europe" took place in Vienna. Participants included Ariel Muzicant, Vice-President of the European Jewish Congress (EJC), Education Minister Heinz Faßmann, EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova, EPP Group Leader Manfred Weber, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Anatoliyovych Klimkin and Chancellor Kurz. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had had to cancel his participation at short notice because of the government crisis in his home country. Likewise not a single official representative of the Austrian Freedom Party was present.
November 22, 2018
Immigration in Austria - Migration Compensates for Expected Birth Deficit
Austria will have just under 10 million inhabitants in 2080. This follows from the assumptions of sustained immigration, stagnating birth rates and a further increase in life expectancy. The number of people born abroad will already rise by one third by 2040.
November 22, 2018
Russia on the World Stage - Andrej Kolesnikov and Nina Khrushcheva at the Kreisky Forum
Professor Nina Khrushcheva interviewed Russian journalist Andrej Kolesnikov about the current situation and prospects in Russia.
November 22, 2018
Foreign Minister's Liechtenstein Visit Strengthens Bilateral Relations
Karin Kneissl travelled to Vaduz for a working discussion with her counterpart from Liechtenstein, Aurelia Frick to discuss current developments such as the most recent status of the Brexit negotiations and the cooperation in multilateral matters.
November 22, 2018
The New Location Development Act - Significance for Austria's Attractiveness as a Business Location
The Austrian government has passed the highly controversial Location Development Act in the Council of Ministers, which will speed up environmental impact assessments, be passed by the National Council this year and come into force on 1 January 2019. The new legislation will introduce automatic permits for certain energy infrastructure projects (eg, electricity grids and power plants). Positive reactions are coming from industry and politics. Various environmental associations criticise the new law.
November 22, 2018
Vienna Service Office - Connecting the City of Vienna with UNO CITY for 30 Years
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Service Office in the UNO City, Director General of UNOV, Yury Fedotov and the new Mayor Michael Ludwig confirmed the good and close cooperation between the City of Vienna and the local UN organisations.
November 22, 2018
Austrian Development Agency Receives More Funds from the Green Climate Fund
The ADA (Austrian Development Agency) reports that after a three-year process at the 21st board meeting of the Green Climate Fund in Manama, Bahrain, the accreditation of the ADA was completed on 20 October 2018.
November 12, 2018
80 Years of November Pogrom - Remembrance at the Site of the Former Leopoldstadt Temple, at Judenplatz near the Shoah Memorial and in Parliament
Austria commemorated the events 80 years ago. Austrian Shoah survivors from Israel received in Parliament at the Hofburg. President of the National Council Sobotka asked Austrian Shoah survivors for forgiveness. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen already reminded the day before at a commemoration ceremony of the November pogroms at the Psychosocial Centre of the Vienna Israelite Community. On the commemoration day he laid a wreath at the Shoah memorial on Judenplatz.
November 9, 2018
Erection of the Vienna Shoah Memorial Wall about to Begin
The long-planned project of a name memorial wall for the 66,000 Jews murdered in Austria during National Socialism is about to be realized. Kurt Tutter, initiator of the name wall, explained the significance of the new memorial, which will be erected in Ostarrichi Park. For him, it was a matter of commemorating his family as well as families unknown to him who had been completely wiped out by Nazi crimes.
November 9, 2018
Reception for Holocaust Survivors in the Austrian Parliament: "Never again!"
Rabbi Arthur Schneier from New York, speaking at the reception for Holocaust survivors in parliament, called for a common commitment to "Never again" and to live together in peace and mutual respect.
November 9, 2018
Russian Espionage Incident in the Austrian Armed Forces
A colonel of the Austrian Armed Forces is suspected of having worked for decades with a Russian intelligence service. Foreign Minister Kneissl quoted the Russian chargé d'affaires to the Foreign Ministry and cancelled her planned trip to Russia.
November 9, 2018
Austria in E-Government ahead of Germany and Switzerland
Margarete Schramböck is on the right course. According to a recent study on the e-government situation in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Austria clearly holds the top position in the e-government country comparison.
November 7, 2018
Western Balkans - No Reconciliation in Kosovo Conflict
Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz visited Serbia and Kosovo during a trip to the Western Balkans. Since the last clash between the two heads of state Vučić and Thaçi in September, the talks have been suspended there. The EU should continue to support the search for a solution to the Kosovo conflict.
November 7, 2018
The United States after the Midterms - What's next?
Shortly after the midterm elections, a panel discussion with prominent guests will take place at Vienna's International Institute for Peace (IIP), analysing the election results and discussing their significance.
November 5, 2018
Austrian National Bank Seeking Successors for Top Jobs
The Board of Governors of the OeNB Austrian National Bank has published a recruitment announcement for the new central bank governor, vice governor and two members of the Management Committee. Applications can be submitted until 5 December, according to the official gazette of the "Wiener Zeitung".
November 5, 2018
UN Migration Pact: Federal President Warns of the Loss of Austria's Reputation
In response to Austria's planned withdrawal from the UN Migration Pact, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen has addressed warning words to the federal government. The Federal President defends the Migration Pact and wants to conduct talks with Chancellor Kurz and Foreign Minister Kneissl. Protests are also coming from across the country.
November 3, 2018
Setback for the UN - Austria Won't Sign Global Migration Pact
Austria will follow the US and Hungary in backing out of a United Nations pact on migration (Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration) over concerns that it will blur the line between illegal and legal migration.
October 31, 2018
What We Can Learn From War
The aim of a special exhibition on "war. tracing an evolution" at the Natural History Museum (NHM - Naturhistorischen Museums Wien) is to make the phenomenon of "war" tangible on the basis of historical evidence. The big questions "Does man learn from his history?", "What is aggression?", "Since when has war existed?" and "Is war inevitable because it is human?" are to be answered.
October 31, 2018
Japan-Austria Relations - Kurz Met Shinzo Abe
During the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Brussels, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, and Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met for bilateral talks. The meeting focused on the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Austria next year, the new tax convention between Japan and Austria, the Japan-European Union (EU) relations and the situation in North Korea.
October 30, 2018
Eurasian Economic Union vs. European Union - Perspectives and Limits
At Lansky, Ganzger + Partner, at the meeting room of the Austrian-Kazakh Society (ÖKG - Österreichisch-Kasachische Gesellschaft), a number of prominent participants met for a panel discussion to explore the relationship between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU, EEU), to which Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia belong, and the European Union (EU) entitled "The Eurasian Economic Union and the EU - Perspectives and Limits of a Partnership". The conference was hosted by the Research Centre for Eurasian Studies (EURAS), the Austrian-Kazakh Society (ÖKG - Österreichisch-Kasachische Gesellschaft) and the Austrian-Belarusian Society (ÖWG - Österreichisch-Weißrussische Gesellschaft).
October 30, 2018
What Do You Know About the Austrian National Day?
The Austrian National Day (Nationalfeiertag) has been celebrated annually since 1965 on 26 October, the day on which the decided Austrian neutrality came into force in 1955 and the last occupying powers left Austria. The Parliament, the Office of the Federal President, the Federal Chancellery, the Foreign Ministry, etc. invite the public to the Open Day, which - this year - is dedicated to the commemoration year 1918. The public is invited to contribute their ideas. Take the chance to get to know Austria!
October 25, 2018
China, the Rising Great Power of the 21st Century and the Austrians
At the Kreisky Forum, Austrian China experts (Schweisgut, Löw, Giner-Reichl, Witt-Löw) discussed the rising great power of the 21st century.
October 22, 2018
UK Nationals Living in Austria Preparing for Brexit
The British Embassy in Vienna invites all British Nationals living in Austria to a series of information events throughout the country to prepare them for BREXIT.
October 22, 2018
Khashoggi Case: Austria Increases Pressure on Saudi Arabia
The Austrian Foreign Ministry is now having the legal status of the controversial King Abdullah Centre (KAICIID) reviewed. The Centre has been criticised by representatives of civil society who are concerned with Saudi Arabia's poor human-rights record in fears that the KAICIID would in fact be misused by founding member and chief financier Saudi Arabia as a bridge-head for spreading Wahhabism in Austria and Europe.
October 22, 2018
Ambassador Traina on Trade-War: "Donald Trump is Europe's Greatest Hope"
In an interview with the trend-magazine the US ambassador in Vienna, Trevor Traina, warns of the Chinese, and that the theft of intellectual property could also happen to Europe's key industries. Donald Trump's unpredictability is therefore "Europe's greatest hope" to avert such a scenario in time.
October 19, 2018
Kurz Met Bill Gates: "He is a Source of Inspiration"
Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met billionaire and Microsoft founder Bill Gates at the EU summit in Brussels. Gates was in Brussels this week to create a pilot fund that will invest €100 million in European companies working to stop climate change.
October 19, 2018
Kazakhstan and Austria Reinforce Reciprocal Extradition and Legal Assistance
During a visit to Vienna, Kazakh Attorney General Kairat Kozhamzharov was received by Josef Moser, Federal Minister for Reforms and Justice. A joint declaration was signed. The talks focused on Kazakhstan's multilateral efforts, current affairs, mutual extradition and mutual legal assistance with Kazakhstan.
October 19, 2018
The Western Balkans: Resolving Outstanding Issues between Belgrade and Pristina Prerequisite for Serbia's Accession to the EU
As international and local pressure mounts on Belgrade and Pristina to define their relations with an agreement on normalization, the official Austrian visit to the Republic of Serbia as part of an economic and cultural delegation headed by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen focused on bilateral economic relations, Serbia's EU perspective and the Belgrade-Priština Dialogue.
October 18, 2018
Vietnam to Strengthen Relations with Austria and the EU
The Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Nguyễn Xuân Phúc pays a visit to Vienna in the run-up to the Brussels ASEM Summit between the EU and Asian states.
October 16, 2018
Fast News Search
This category only
