Sponsored Content
Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic
Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian politics with reference to the international interest
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
Schallenberg Attended the Foreign Council Affairs Meeting in Brussels
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg attended the Foreign Council Affair meeting in Brussels, where he talked about several topics regarding European Security and other subjects.
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
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
OPEC Fund Mobilizes $1 Billion for Development Financing
OPEC Fund for International Development mobilizes $1 billion for development finance with "groundbreaking" first SDG bond. The bond was priced based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) bonds, for which Credit Agricole CIB served as the sole sustainability advisor.
January 22, 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
North Macedonia Takes Over OSCE Chair for 2023
From January 1, 2023, North Macedonia takes over the OSCE Chair. In addition to the focus on the crisis regions and above all the military aggression against Ukraine, the country's priorities as chairman will be the re-affirmation of the benefits of the OSCE and the restoration of dialogue and trust.
January 2, 2023 · Updated: January 20, 2023; 12:00
Foreign Minister Schallenberg Met With His Macedonian Counterpart Bujar Osmani
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg had a meeting with his counterpart of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani. Since North Macedonia will hold the OSCE Chairmanship in 2023, they discussed a lot of OSCE-related topics.
December 14, 2022 · 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
EU Grants Austria Subsidies Which Amounts 100 Mio. Euros.
The European Commission will grant Austria 100 million Euros as a measure for the reduction of power consumption approved under the framework for state aid in crises.
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
Serbia's Complicated Relationship with Russia
Serbia's relatively close relationship with Russia, while based on a somewhat haggard history, has been rather positive in recent years. Since Russia's attack, but also before, this relationship has been crumbling more and more. There are several reasons for this, some of which are currently intensifying.
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
Austrian Companies Remain Strong in Russia
Many Austrian companies are active in Eastern Europe, especially in the Balkans, Ukraine and Russia. Especially in Russia, the activity of Austrian companies has been very successful but is controversial due to the Russian attack on Ukraine. According to research by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), almost a year after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, two-thirds of the previously present companies from Austria are still active in Russia.
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
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti Visited Vienna
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti visited Vienna, where he met with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and then held a speech at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna in the evening.
January 16, 2023
Two Young Ukrainians Were Taken to Moskau
Two young Ukrainians have been brought from Tyrol to Moscow without noticing the responsible Ukrainian authorities. An employee from the state of Tyrol and the European Ombudsman office is said to have been involved in bringing young people to Moscow as part of family reunification that was not coordinated with the Ukrainian authorities.
January 15, 2023
Austria Wants to Drop all Covid-19 Mitigations
Austrian Minister of Health Johannes Rauch has said that he wants to end all Covid-19 regulations in Austria until springtime this year. This would mean the legitimate end of the Coronavirus-pandemic in the country.
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
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
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
New Technical Project "Safe Registration Office" Implemented in Austria
The reporting procedure will now be automated through the project “Safe Registration Office” in Austria. This is to prevent crime, the Interior Ministry said. In addition, the "Safe Registration Office" should in future also offer a possibility for a simplified report to the local police station.
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
Ukrainians Want Raiffeisen Bankers Sanctioned
Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International is coming under pressure in Ukraine. RBI CEO Johann Strobl and another manager are on a list drawn up by Ukrainian authorities, according to which sanctions are recommended.
January 8, 2023
Aging Population Might Cause Debt Problems in the Future for Austria
The Austrian Ministry of Finance published a budget prognosis for the upcoming 30 to 40 years. The financial future looks bleak in Austria. More specifically, the level of debt will be rising in the next years due to an aging population.
January 5, 2023
Czech Foreign Minister States That Austria's Schengen-No Was Unexpected
Czech Presidency Europe was briefly troubled by Austria's No to Schengen enlargement regarding Bulgaria and Romania. For Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, Austria's "no" vote regarding Romania's and Bulgaria's Schengen accession came "suddenly".
January 4, 2023
India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Visits Vienna
Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg welcomed his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Vienna. It was the first visit of an Indian Foreign Minister to Austria in 27 years and the fifth meeting with Foreign Minister Schallenberg in the past twelve months.
January 3, 2023
Austria Promotes Energy Research with 17 Million Euros
The Climate and Energy Fund promotes innovations for clean, affordable and reliable energy supply. The aim is to strengthen Austria as a location for innovation and to improve export opportunities for the domestic economy. A total of 17 million euros is available for the program, endowed from the funds of the Ministry of Climate Protection (BMK).
December 29, 2022
Mask Obligation in Vienna's Public Transport Remains
While the Corona measures have been softened further at the Austrian federal level, Vienna is sticking to its stricter rules. The mask requirement on public transport in Vienna will be maintained into the year to come.
December 29, 2022
Space Diplomacy: UNOOSA and United Kingdom Strengthen Cooperation on Space Sustainability
As part of a new project to strengthen space sustainability, the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Government of the United Kingdom are strengthening their partnership. A broad range of activities will be undertaken to raise awareness and build capacity related to the implementation of the Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities.
December 28, 2022
Austrian Integration Fund Upgrades its Supply for German Courses
The Austrian Integration Fund will extend the supply for courses of German courses from A1 to C1 level for immigrants and refugees. The courses are intended to assist immigrants in their Job seeking opportunities since learning German is a cornerstone for getting into the Austrian Job Market.
December 28, 2022
Austria Gives 3 Million Euros as Humanitarian Aid to Lebanon
The Austrian government will increase its humanitarian and financial aid to Lebanon since the country in the Middle East is going through a severe economic crisis and at the same time is harboring a high number of refugees. The aid will go through UNHCR, CERF and the NGO Geneva Call.
December 27, 2022
Russia Bans Oil Export on Countries with Gas Price Cap
Russia has responded to the west’s decision to cap gas prices as a measure to brake the rising energy prices. This was an expected move as Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized this cap numerous times.
December 27, 2022
Austrian Government Reviews the Year 2022
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler made a review and concluded the year 2022 with a positive and determined outlook for the following year. The subjects of the past year were the recovery from the pandemic, the energy crisis, inflation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
December 25, 2022
Austria Increases Fund for International Food Aid
The Austrian Ministry of Agriculture will increase funding for international food aid significantly. The Austrian Minister of Agriculture Norbert Totschnig traveled to Libanon to observe the situation.
December 23, 2022
Multiple Integration Projects Will Be Promoted in Austria
67 integrational projects will be promoted through a common European fund in Austria until 2024. 28 Million Euros of this fund will go to Austria for integrational purposes.
December 22, 2022
Fast News Search
This category only
