Western European Expats in Vienna, Austria | Bilateral Relations - Vindobona.org

Chancellor Nehammer Emphasizes Migration Subject in the EU

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer at the EU summit has called for more financing for EU border protection. He also called for more control on irregular migration at EU level.

February 9, 2023

Austria's Agriculture Minister Totschnig against Mercosur Agreement

Austria's Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig is against ratification of the Mercosur trade agreement. In his opinion, the agreement with South America would put domestic farm families and supplies under pressure.

February 6, 2023

Slovak President Čaputová Received Austrian President Van der Bellen

Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová received Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen in Bratislava. Among other things, they discussed further aid to Ukraine, which is under attack from Russia.

February 5, 2023

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

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

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

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

Italy Initiates EU Proceedings Against Austria

The Italian Minister of Transport Matteo Salvini has taken legal action against Austria. He has initiated an infringement procedure because of the transit driving bans in Tyrol.

January 25, 2023

Cultural Policy Dialogue Between Austria and Liechtenstein

The regular exchange on cultural policy issues contributes to strengthening bilateral relations and cultural cooperation. The Cultural Section of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs received a delegation from the Principality of Liechtenstein for cultural policy dialogue in Vienna.

January 22, 2023

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

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

Austria Helps Secure Airspace for World Economic Forum in Davos

Davos, Switzerland, which is located close to the Austrian border, will once again host the World Economic Forum. The Austrian Armed Forces are helping Switzerland with air surveillance on Austrian territory.

January 16, 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

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

Former Austrian President Heinz Fischer Will Represent Austria at Former Pope Benedict XVI’s Funeral

Several Kings and Queens, Nobles, Heads of State, and Clergy are expected to attend the former pope Benedict XVI’s funeral. Former president Heinz Fischer will represent the Austrian state.

January 3, 2023

French Ambassador Gilles Pécout in Austria Visits Linz

As part of the initiative "Das Land tagt mit der Welt" ("The country meets with the world") by the President of the Provincial Parliament, Peter Binder, an event was held to "promote more internationality and cosmopolitanism in Upper Austria. The French ambassador to Austria, H.E. Gilles Pécout, arrived from Vienna as a guest of honor.

December 28, 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

List of National Days of the Home Countries of All Foreign Missions and Delegations in Vienna, Austria

The Vindobona table below is an updated list of National Days of all nations, which belong to at least one of following categories: Foreign Missions and Delegations in Vienna, Austria; Diplomatic Corps and other representations in Austria; International Organizations in Vienna and Permanent Missions; Missions and Delegations to the OSCE.

February 11, 2015 · Updated: December 14, 2022; 08:12

Symbolic Act of Handover in St. Stephen's Cathedral on the Occasion of the Swedish EU Presidency

Sweden's next year's Presidency of the Council of the European Union was acclaimed by the Swedish Embassy with a unique event at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. On the occasion of the traditional Swedish Festival of Lights, St. Stephen's Cathedral hosted a concert featuring a Lucia procession to symbolize the transfer of the EU presidency.

December 13, 2022

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani Visits Vienna

Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani came to Vienna for a meeting with Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Chancellor Karl Nehammer. The visit of Tajani asked for the opportunity to consolidate cooperation and talks with Vienna on the main bilateral issues (especially in the fields of economy, energy and infrastructure), European and international, starting with the migration issue.

December 13, 2022

Wirecard Scandal: Trial of Marsalek and other Austrian Entrepreneurs to Begin

The Wirecard criminal trial in what is believed to be the biggest fraud case in Germany since 1945 begins in Munich. The public prosecutor's office accuses the former Wirecard CEO, Austrian Markus Braun, and his two co-defendants of forming a criminal gang, falsifying the group's balance sheets and cheating lenders of 3.1 billion euros

December 7, 2022

Austria Still Declines the Schengen Expansion

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer confirmed Austria’s negative position towards the Schengen expansion today. At the Western Balkan meeting today in the Albanian capital Tirana, Nehammer declined further Schengen expansions for now.

December 7, 2022

Sweden Received Austria's Minister for Europe Edtstadler

Austria's Minister for Europe Karoline Edtstadler traveled to the Swedish capital Stockholm on a working visit and met with her Swedish counterpart Jessika Roswall for talks on the country's EU presidency next year. The Austrian minister also met with Nobel Prize winner in physics Anton Zeilinger to kick off "Nobel Week".

December 6, 2022

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

The 16 Days of Activism is an annual campaign against gender-based violence that runs from November 25 to December 10, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. There are 20 panels on the outside grills of the French Embassy building in Vienna dedicated to preventing and combating violence against women.

December 6, 2022

German Literature Archive Receives Estate of Austrian Poet Rainer Maria Rilke

The transfer of writings and materials of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) to the German Literature Archive Marbach is the largest transfer to the Literature Archive in Baden-Württemberg with the estate, which had been in private hands for almost 100 years.

December 1, 2022

Austria Supports Expansion of Croatian LNG Terminal Krk

Croatia wants to expand its terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) on the Adriatic island of Krk far beyond its own needs and develop it into a hub for gas supply in the region - gas is also to flow from there to Austria and Germany in the future. At a meeting on Krk, Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder agreed to support each other in strengthening energy security, diversifying energy sources and ensuring the security of supply with natural gas and hydrogen.

November 24, 2022

EU Criticizes Austria's Energy Measures as "Not Goal-Oriented"

In the opinion of the EU Commission, Austria's aid measures against high energy prices are "not goal-oriented" enough. The EU authority said today that the federal government had quickly adopted energy policy measures.

November 22, 2022

Austria Participates in Conference to Strengthen Protection Against Explosive Weapons

The high-level international conference to sign the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences of the Use of Explosive Weapons in Inhabited Areas was held in Dublin. Austria was also represented at this conference.

November 20, 2022

What are the Seibersdorf Laboratories?

Nuclear technologies and applications should be safely researched under international supervision. In Seibersdorf, Austria, the International Atomic Energy Agency maintains eight nuclear applications laboratories. Read on to find out more about the Seibersdorf Laboratories!

November 17, 2022

Indian Photographer Receives Global Peace Photo Award 2022

For the tenth time the winners of the international photo competition "Global Peace Photo Award" were awarded the Alfred Fried Peace Medal in the Austrian Parliament. The Indian photographer, Sourav Das, wins with a picture from his reportage "A Small yet Great Victory Over the Pandemic".

November 16, 2022

Austria Awards State Prize for Innovation

The State Prize Innovation 2022 from the Austrian Ministry of Labor and Economy goes to the Lower Austrian company DSM Austria GmbH. With their innovation, they make an important contribution to the safe and healthy nutrition of animals and humans.

November 16, 2022

Austria's Chancellor Nehammer on Missile Strike in Poland

According to current knowledge, a misguided Ukrainian missile was the cause of the impact in Poland. Austria's Chancellor Nehammer calls for prudence as the "order of the day,", especially in times of war, and condemns the large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukrainian civilian facilities.

November 16, 2022

Austrian-Hungarian Cooperation on the EU External Border

AUTCON, the Austrian police contingent in the border region of Hungary with Serbia, supports the Hungarian police with 70 police officers in the fight against cross-border crime. Read more about the Austrian-Hungarian Cooperation on the EU External Border!

November 15, 2022

How Austria's Population is Developing

Around eight billion people currently live on earth. According to the UN, this figure will rise to around ten billion by the end of the century. According to the latest forecasts, the trend in Europe and Austria is different. Read more about the United Nations World Population Prospects 2022!

November 15, 2022

Western Balkans Youth Summit 2022 Held in Vienna

Young people in the Western Balkans should be given a perspective, which is why the Western Balkans Youth Summit was held in Vienna at the Austrian Federal Chancellery. For the Austrian hosts, it is clear that the European Union is not complete without the Western Balkans.

November 13, 2022

Space Diplomacy: UNOOSA and United Kingdom on Global Space-Related Climate Action Efforts

With the support of the UK Space Agency, the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs has published a report on the use of space technology to support climate action. At the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27), the report was released to coincide with Earth Information Day. It aims to improve understanding of how selected stakeholders are utilizing space technology.

November 11, 2022

Austrian Chamber of Commerce Demands Acceleration of Energy Transition with Faster Approval Procedures

The EU Commission's emergency regulation is intended to accelerate the expansion of additional energy capacities, with the draft also to be extended to other areas of energy infrastructure. The head of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Karlheinz Kopf, demands acceleration of the Energy Transition with faster approval procedures and eased bureaucracy.

November 10, 2022

Austria's Connection to Pegasus Spyware

Governments of EU member states have used spyware against their citizens for political purposes, according to a draft report by the European Parliament's Committee of Inquiry (PEGA) published today in Brussels. European Union member states are widely using the controversial Pegasus spy software. Corresponding indications exist for Poland, Hungary, Greece, Cyprus and Spain, it said. There are also links to Austria.

November 10, 2022

Austrian Think Tank Identifies Need for Improvements to Ukraine's Reconstruction Plan

Together with the GROWFORD Institute in Kyiv, the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies has investigated how the Ukrainian government's reconstruction plan, presented in July, should be evaluated. How much will Ukraine's reconstruction cost and where will the money come from?

November 8, 2022

What is the Alps-Adriatic Economic Network?

Since 2007, the Network of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Crafts, Agriculture and Economy of the New Alpe Adria (NAAN) has been working to deepen economic relations. It now comprises - with the new addition of Bolzano - ten chambers from Austria, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. According to the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, with one million member businesses, NAAN is making rapid progress toward becoming an EU Alps-Adriatic macroregion. Read more to find out about the project.

November 7, 2022

Austrians Largely Rate Coexistence with Ukrainian Displaced Persons as Positive

Since the start of the Ukraine war in February, around 85,000 Ukrainian displaced persons have been registered in Austria. According to the Austrian Integration Fund, the integration barometer on the coexistence of people with and without a migration background explains that 64 percent see the coexistence of Austrians and Ukrainians as positive and, as a survey on the Ukraine war, provides information on attitudes and moods toward the integration of Ukrainian displaced persons in Austria.

November 6, 2022

Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce and EU-Mercosur Agreement

The Association Agreement between the European Union and MERCOSUR countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, includes provisions on political dialogue, cooperation and trade. For the Austrian Federal Chamber of Commerce, the agreement is a fair trade deal that increases exports and jobs, and high social and environmental standards remain untouched. The EU would be the first region to conclude an agreement with Mercosur.

November 4, 2022

Austria at Western Balkans Conference in Berlin

Austrian Federal Minister Susanne Raab represented Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the Western Balkans Conference in Berlin, as the Austrian Foreign Minister had to cancel his participation due to a positive Corona test. Minister Raab declared at the Western Balkans Conference "that we as the EU must finally get going when it comes to the integration of the six states of the Western Balkans."

November 4, 2022

OSCE Operations in Ukraine and Russian Opposition in Vienna

Russia represents an increasingly tough opposition in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, while the organization is trying to support Ukraine by all means. Despite a veto from Moscow, the OSCE has resumed its work on a limited basis in support of Ukraine despite the closure of the Special Monitoring Mission.

November 3, 2022

Finland's Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto Visits Vienna

Finland's Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto is visiting Vienna and met with various dignitaries in Vienna. Bilateral talks with Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, Secretary-General of the OSCE Helga Maria Schmid and IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi focused on European security, energy security and the Russian war in Ukraine.

November 1, 2022

President of Hungary Katalin Novák Visits Austria

The Hungarian President, Katalin Novák, is the first head of state to visit the re-elected President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. The conversation between the two heads of state focused on the fight against illegal migration, climate change and the war in Ukraine.

October 27, 2022