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Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic
Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian politics with reference to the international interest
Iran Nuclear Talks: U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Put on Leave
The U.S. special envoy to Iran, Robert Malley, was officially placed on leave yesterday, the U.S. State Department announced. He will be replaced by Abram Paley, who will take over the duties for the time being.
July 2, 2023
Austria and Portugal Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation
Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg received his Portuguese counterpart João Gomes Cravinho for a meeting in Vienna. The talks focused on intensifying political and economic cooperation and strengthening foreign policy cooperation between the two countries. Furthermore, they emphasized the unity of the EU member states in the face of the Russian war of aggression and exchanged views on the situation in the Western Balkans.
July 2, 2023
Journalists' Associations Protest Against Exclusion at OPEC Event
Journalists' associations have protested the renewed exclusion of international press representatives from an OPEC event in Vienna. According to an open letter from the Association of Foreign Press, the Concordia Press Club, and the Association of European Journalists (AEJ), reporters from the Reuters and Bloomberg news agencies and the "Wall Street Journal" were denied accreditation.
June 29, 2023
Austria Stresses Need in Fight Against Illegal Migration Despite Rejection of Higher EU Budget
Dealing with irregular migration, increasing the EU budget as well as foreign and economic policy considerations were the focus of the Parliament's EU Main Committee today. Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer reiterated his opposition to a higher EU budget, but at the same time stressed the great need for funding in the fight against illegal migration.
June 28, 2023
Salzburg Europe Summit 2023 Taking Place this Year for the 19th Time
The annual Salzburg Europe Summit, Europe's leading event, will once again address the many challenges facing Europe in September in Salzburg. Among others, topics from war and the climate crisis to energy supply and social coexistence will be discussed.
June 28, 2023
European Movement Austria Presents Reform Ideas for the EU Single Market
Europe has achieved a level of prosperity that no previous generation has experienced. The EU Single Market, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is the key to this success. The future of the Single Market was the focus of a panel discussion of the European Movement Austria (EBÖ) at THE LEO GRAND in Vienna.
June 27, 2023
Austria's Interior Minister Karner Refers to EU Entry Ban on Question of Asylum for Prigozhin
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has stated that the head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has no prospect of asylum in Austria. Initially, Karner spoke of a case-by-case examination to answer a related question but later specified via a spokesman that Prigozhin was on the EU sanctions list and therefore not allowed to enter the country.
June 26, 2023
European Local Councils Initiative Brings the EU to Austrian Innsbruck
More than 100 European local councilors take part in the initiative's annual conference as part of the 69th Austrian Municipal Day in Innsbruck. The event, which is integrated into the Austrian Municipal Day for the first time, emphasizes the close connection between the European and municipal levels.
June 25, 2023
European Forum Wachau: Building a Resilient, Green, and Competitive Europe
The event under the general theme "Building a Resilient, Green and Competitive Europe" takes place for the 27th time. This year, the Europa Forum Wachau invited top-class guests to discuss the most important European issues. Among others also the topic of illegal migration, the war in Ukraine, and the Euro-integration of the Western Balkan states.
June 25, 2023
Austria and Somalia Intensify Cooperation on Migration and Security in the Horn of Africa
Somalia's Foreign Minister Abshir Omar Huruse arrived in Vienna for working talks with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg. This visit marked an intensified effort by Austria to develop relations with African states. The talks focused on bilateral relations, particularly concerning illegal migration, the repatriation of rejected asylum seekers, and the security situation in the Horn of Africa.
June 22, 2023
Mansion in Austrian Kitzbühel Bought by Sanctioned Russian Oligarch
Russian oligarch and confidant of President Vladimir Putin, Arkady Rotenberg, is said to have financed a house in Kitzbühel, where Putin's daughter is also said to have spent time, according to media reports.
June 21, 2023
Austria Tumbles in Gender Equality Index
Austria has plummeted to 47th place out of 146 countries in the global ranking of gender equality published by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
June 21, 2023
Austria Takes Responsibility: Recommendations for Dealing with Art Objects from Colonial Contexts Presented
At a press conference, State Secretary for Art and Culture Andrea Mayer, together with Jonathan Fine, Director of the Vienna World Museum, presented the recommendations for action of an international advisory panel on the handling of art objects from a colonial context in Austrian federal museums.
June 20, 2023
EU Culture Salon Invites to a Discussion on the Future of Europe with Caroline de Gruyter
On June 27, the EU Culture Salon, a new series of events organized by the Representation of the European Commission, will take place at the House of the European Union. The guest will be the renowned journalist and author Caroline de Gruyter, whose book "The Habsburg Empire - Inspiration for Europe?" has caused a sensation.
June 20, 2023
OPEC and Non-OPEC Participating Countries Agree on Crude Oil Production Adjustments
In a bid to maintain stability in the oil market, OPEC and non-OPEC Participating Countries have announced key decisions during the 35th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting held in Vienna. The meeting emphasized the commitment to achieving a stable oil market and providing long-term guidance for the industry.
June 19, 2023
Preliminary Presentation in Vienna of UN Study Results on Fast Fashion and Old Clothes
The Austrian-based foundation COMÚN and the Chilean study author, Beatriz O'Brien, exclusively show the disastrous consequences of "waste colonialism" in research ordered by the UN in the run-up to the "Austrian Consumer Dialogues: Textiles".
June 19, 2023
Austrian National Bank Publishes Macroeconomic Forecast for 2023 to 2025
According to the published forecast of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB), the Austrian economy is expected to pick up speed in the second half of 2023, with GDP growing by 0.5 percent in 2023. Accelerated growth of 1.7 percent is forecast for 2024. Although HICP inflation will fall steadily after the highs at the beginning of the year, it will still be above average at 2.9 percent in 2025.
June 18, 2023
U.S. Embassy and Austrian Armed Forces Celebrate Anniversary of State Partnership Program
The one-year anniversary of the "State Partnership Program" between the "Vermont Air National Guard" and the Austrian Armed Forces under the leadership of Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner was celebrated in Zeltweg. High-ranking guests such as the Ambassador of the United States in Austria, Victoria Reggie Kennedy, as well as Brigadier General Henry Harder, Commander of the "Vermont Air National Guard", were present at a festive ceremony. Within the framework of this partnership, the 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard and the Austrian Air Force are conducting joint flight exercises for the first time.
June 18, 2023
Research Presentation: Western Balkans 20 Years after the EU Summit in Thessaloniki
On Friday, June 30, 2023, at 09:00, the Bertelsmann Stiftung and the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw), together with prominent politicians from Austria and the Balkans, will present their new study on the EU's geo-economic influence in the Western Balkans. The event will take place in the Reitersaal of the Oesterreichische Kontrollbank in Vienna.
June 15, 2023
Austria Plans Participation in NATO Training Mission in Iraq
Austria plans to participate in NATO's training and advisory mission in Iraq (NMI) with up to ten members of the Austrian Armed Forces. This was decided by the Council of Ministers at the request of Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in agreement with Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
June 14, 2023
Tanzania Officially Opened its Embassy in Vienna
Tanzania's Foreign Minister Stergomena Lawrence Tax visited Vienna on the occasion of the opening of the Tanzanian Embassy in Vienna. The meetings with Austrian and UN Diplomats focused on deepening bilateral and multilateral relations.
June 13, 2023
Austria Supports IAEA with 1 Million Euro for Nuclear Safety in Ukraine
Austria has decided to support nuclear safety efforts in Ukraine by providing one million euros to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
June 11, 2023
UNOOSA and ESA Collaborate to Launch Space Solutions Database Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals
In a joint effort to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have introduced a comprehensive database, known as the Space Solutions Compendium (SSC), to showcase ongoing and past projects by space agencies.
June 7, 2023
Official Visit of the Czech President Petr Pavel to Austria
During his official visit to Vienna, the newly elected President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, met with Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen. Petr Pavel, once the highest NATO military officer, is a staunch supporter of Ukraine. But he is also keen on cooperation with neutral Austria.
June 7, 2023
ESA Conference in Vienna: Importance of Space Research
European space exploration's current challenges and ambitions were presented at ESA's international symposium "Ready for the moon", co-initiated by the Austrian Federal Chancellery and held at Palais Ferstl in Vienna. The geopolitical, economic, and societal potential of Europe's future role in space exploration efforts was also discussed.
June 6, 2023
Cooperation Between Austria and Greece to Address Illegal Migration as a Hybrid Threat
The signing of the "Vienna Declaration" took place at the Ministry of Defense in Vienna. Dr. Arnold Kammel, Secretary General and Defense Policy Director of the Austrian Ministry of Defense, and Dr. Konstantinos Balomenos, Defense Policy Director of Greece, signed the declaration in the presence of the Greek Ambassador in Vienna, H.E. Catherine Koika.
June 5, 2023
Iran's Enriched Uranium Stockpile Soars: IAEA Concerns Grow
A recent confidential report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found that Iran now possesses 23 times as much enriched uranium as agreed in the 2015 international nuclear deal. In his latest report, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi discusses verification and monitoring in the Islamic Republic of Iran and indirectly confirmed the concerns of the confidential report days earlier.
June 5, 2023
New Unitary Patent Paves the Way for Innovative Companies in Europe
As of June 1, 2023, a unitary patent (unitary patent) will be introduced that will be valid in most member states of the European Union. Austria already ranks eighth in the EU for future technologies.
June 1, 2023
Focus on Strategic Partnership and Middle East Situation: Israel's Foreign Minister Visits Vienna
Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, visited his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Schallenberg, in Vienna for the first time after taking office. During the meeting, the talks focused on the strategic partnership between the two countries, the Middle East peace process, and the latest geopolitical developments in the region.
June 1, 2023
OSCE Chairman Urges De-escalation and Emphasizes Youth Engagement During Visit to Kosovo and Serbia
The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Bujar Osmani, recently concluded a productive one-day visit to Kosovo. Chairman Osmani also visited Serbia's capital Belgrade a day earlier. During his visits, he engaged in high-level meetings with key political figures.
May 31, 2023
Austria Finances Demining Equipment for Ukraine Worth 2 Million Euros
After several weeks of heated discussion on how Austria should continue to support Ukraine, the Austrian government decided to provide financial assistance to Ukraine for 2 million euros for demining.
May 30, 2023
NATO Boosts Security Measures in Kosovo, Backed by Austrian Armed Forces
Following violent protests in northern Kosovo, NATO is reinforcing the international protection force KFOR there. The Austrian Armed Forces are now also increasing troop protection in northern Kosovo.
May 30, 2023
42.5 Million Euros for the Establishment of Excellent Technical Competence Centers
Call for proposals for COMET Centres is now open. This Promotes research at a high international level by science and industry.
May 30, 2023
International Narcotics Control Board Emphasizes Drug Control and Global Cooperation
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) highlighted the significance of the licit trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals in achieving health and welfare objectives in a session in Vienna.
May 30, 2023
Festive Opening of the Interactive Exhibition "Experience Europe" in Vienna
In Vienna's Rotenturmstraße, the interactive permanent exhibition "Experience Europe" was opened with a great ceremony. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola, together with high-ranking guests, cut the opening ribbon to this multimedia show.
May 29, 2023
EU Parliament President Metsola Visited Vienna
The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola was on several working visits and events in an EU Parliament President addressed the members of the Austrian National Council. It also came to the working meeting with Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg and the opening of the interactive exhibition "Experience Europe" in Vienna.
May 29, 2023
Austria's Schallenberg Discusses Importance of Vienna and Human Rights Advocacy in Meeting with UNGA President Kőrösi
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met yesterday with the President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, to discuss important matters related to the United Nations.
May 25, 2023
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani Wraps Up Visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina
The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, successfully concluded a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), where he engaged in high-level discussions with key officials and emphasized the importance of ongoing reforms in various sectors.
May 24, 2023
Hungarian Ambassador Reacted to Citation to Austrian Foreign Ministry
Hungarian Ambassador to Vienna Andor Nagy responded to Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg's criticism of Hungary's release of migrant smugglers and citation to the Austrian Foreign Ministry.
May 24, 2023
Waiting Time for Appointments for Citizenship in Vienna Reduced by 50%
Despite the challenges in the area of citizenship, such as the restrictive legal situation and the enormous increase in demand for Austrian citizenship in Vienna, the city has taken various measures to facilitate improvements and faster procedures.
May 23, 2023
Council of Europe Summit Against Russian Aggression in Ukraine: Van der Bellen Holds Speech
The first Council of Europe summit in nearly 20 years took place, with some 30 European leaders traveling to Reykjavik, Iceland. The summit was all about support for Ukraine and finding solutions to hold Russia accountable for its war of aggression.
May 23, 2023
IGGÖ Supports Demands for the Fight Against Racist Attacks on Muslims
The Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ) confirms the established link between the reported cases and certain political events. Against this background, the IGGÖ supports the demands of the Documentation Center to the Austrian Federal Government to develop and implement the National Action Plan against Racism, which has already been announced in the government program 2019, as soon as possible.
May 23, 2023
European Ministers of Serbia and Austria Emphasize the Importance of Relations
During her working visit to Belgrade, Austrian Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler met with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and her ministerial colleague Tanja Miščević.
May 22, 2023
Austria Calls for "European Year Against Hate" for 2024
Austria is demanding a "European Year against Hate" in 2024, as stated by State Secretary Claudia Plakolm. This demand was made during the meeting of the Council of Youth Ministers in Brussels.
May 22, 2023
Austrian Foreign Minister Summons Hungarian Ambassador
Diplomatic tensions arise as Hungary's early release of convicted human traffickers causes concern in Vienna. Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said in Brussels that the Hungarian ambassador would be brought to the Foreign Ministry because of the controversy over the release of migrant traffickers.
May 22, 2023
International Ombudsman Institute Sets Sign of Solidarity with Ukraine and Discusses Future Projects
The annual meeting of the Board of Directors of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) was recently held in Vienna and featured a guest speaker from Ukraine. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Human Rights Ombudsman, reported on the horrors of the Russian war of aggression and received the support of the IOI.
May 19, 2023
EU Parliament President Metsola Brings European Issues to Austrian Parliament
EU Parliament President Metsola will address the Austrian National Council on European affairs, participating in a National Council resolution.
May 18, 2023
Time to Decide Europe Summit 2023: Experts Debate the Future of Europe and the Challenges of Today
The 'Time To Decide Europe Summit 2023' in Vienna brought together experts to debate the future of Europe in times of current crises. Vindobona.org reviews the event, which featured high-level keynote speeches and engaging discussions on geopolitics, democracy, economics, energy, and the environment.
May 18, 2023
Diplomats Express Support for IDAHOBIT 2023: Joint Declaration on the Promotion of Gender Equality
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria and the diplomatic missions of several states, as well as organizations, have honored May 17 as the International Day against Homophobia, Biophobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). In a joint statement, they express their support for diversity and inclusion.
May 18, 2023
High-Level Meeting Between US and China Held in Vienna
After a prolonged period of silence between the US and China, a high-level meeting took place amid significant tensions. President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, met with China's top foreign policy official, Wang Yi, in Vienna.
May 15, 2023
