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Western European Expats in Vienna, Austria | Bilateral Relations
Austria and Western European countries - Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, diplomacy and culture
European Capital of Innovation Award: Vienna Recognized as Runner-up
The Belgium city of Leuven was awarded the European Capital of Innovation Award 2020. Vienna, which was still in the race up until the final round, was recognized as runner-up city together with Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Espoo (Finland), Helsingborg (Sweden), and Valencia (Spain).
September 25, 2020
Ambassadors Traina and Turner at Austrian Media Days
US Ambassador Traina and British Ambassador Turner took part in a discussion about the world after corona at the Austrian News Days. Both recognized the rise of social media and its significant role in today's world.
September 24, 2020
EU eGovernment Benchmark 2020: Austria in Top 3
New services on oesterreich.gv.at and the "Digitales Amt" app are having an effect - Austria is one of the top nations in the Europe-wide comparison. Only Malta and Estonia received better results in this year's EU eGovernment Benchmark.
September 24, 2020
Schallenberg at Council of EU Foreign Ministers
The EU Foreign Ministers met in Brussels to discuss current issues such as developments in Belarus and Libya. Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg demands a "strong signal" from the EU towards the Belarusian government.
September 22, 2020
European Capital of Democracy Coming Soon
The newly formed initiative "European Capital of Democracy" will try to give civilization more access to democracy by supporting activities and events that aim to improve and strengthen democracy. The first capital will be selected next year.
September 21, 2020
Swiss President Welcomes Kurz
Swiss President Sommaruga and Austria's Chancellor Kurz met near Bern to discuss current topics related to the Covid-19 pandemic and the cooperation between the two countries. Kurz also met with CEOs of leading Swiss pharmaceutical companies to discuss the current vaccine developments.
September 21, 2020
Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) Presents her Credentials
Esther Monterrubio Villar, the new Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), presented her credentials to the Director-General of UNOV, Ms. Ghada Waly.
September 18, 2020
Blow Against Austrian Tourism: Germany Declares Vienna a Corona Risk Area
Because of too high corona infection figures, the German government now warns against "unnecessary, touristic" trips to Vienna. Vienna is classified as a risk area in view of the high number of new corona infections.
September 16, 2020
International Day of Democracy: Collection of Initiatives for Promoting Democracy
The IPU in cooperation with the Austrian parliament has issued a report that comprises best-practice examples of how countries promote democracy among the population, especially among the youth and young adults.
September 15, 2020
European Capital of Innovation Award: Vienna Still in the Race
The European Union will announce the European Capital of Innovation 2020 and will award EUR 1,000,000 to support innovation at the end of September 2020. Vienna is among the six finalists which also include Valencia, Helsingborg, Espoo, Cluj-Napoca, and Leuven.
September 14, 2020
2,300 Potential Job Losses in Steyr
The German truck and bus subsidiary MAN announced that 9,500 jobs are in danger due to reorganization of the company. 2,300 and therefore the total workforce of the production site in Steyr, Austria might be included in the cut.
September 11, 2020
Eurogroup President Donohoe Met Blümel
New Eurogroup President Donohoe and Austrian Finance Minister Blümel met at a round table discussion on "Europe's Comeback". Topics were the strength of a common currency union and strategies on how to achieve the economic comeback.
September 9, 2020
Joint Statement by Greece and Austria
Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis and Austrian Chancellor Kurz have issued a joint statement that deals with European refugee policy and the ongoing dispute with Turkey over the natural gas deposit in the Mediterranean.
September 9, 2020
German Chamber of Commerce in Austria: Perspectives for Overcoming the Corona Crisis from an Automotive Company Perspective
At a press conference of the DHK - Deutschen Handelskammer in Österreich in Vienna, experts from the automotive sector, F. Peter Mitterbauer and Hans Dieter Pötsch, highlighted the current economic situation and the prospects for overcoming the corona crisis from the company's perspective.
September 7, 2020
EU Supports Young Researchers with EUR 677 Million
The European Commission is providing a total of EUR 677 million to over 400 recipients of a "Starting Grant" from the European Research Council. Eleven of the selected junior researchers are conducting research at Austrian institutions.
September 4, 2020
Berlin Will Welcome Delegation of the Austrian National Council
The German capital will be host to a meeting between several German politicians and a delegation from the Austrian National Council. The main topics comprise measures to cope with the Covid-19 crisis and EU issues.
September 4, 2020
Climate and Energy Goals: Additional Measures Will Be Needed for Austria
Austria's Ministry for Climate Protection recognizes the need for additional protective measures in order to meet the climate targets established by the European Union. An increases of investments in sustainable ideas is demanded.
September 3, 2020
Dombrovskis in Alpbach: Economy Must Serve All People
Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Dombrovskis highlights the importance of the young generation in rebuilding the economy after Covid-19. Unemployment needs to be tackled and sustainability and digital innovation will be supported.
September 2, 2020
Higher Unemployment Rate in Euro Zone, Decreasing Numbers in Austria
Even though many EU Member States have loosened Covid-19 containment measures, unemployment increased once again in the euro zone. Austria's rate decreased slightly from June to July 2020.
September 2, 2020
Biggest Ars Electronica Will Include 120 Locations
120 locations around the globe will feature performances organized by the Ars Electronica in Linz. Despite the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the festival organizers have once again surpassed the dimensions of the recent years.
September 2, 2020
Schallenberg: "The EU Has Reached a Turning Point in the Relations With Turkey"
Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg explains the current relationship between the European Union and Turkey. The recent developments in the easter Mediterranean are testing the relation once again.
September 1, 2020
Economic Sentiment in Austria and the EU Brightened Further in August
Businesses and the population of the EU still have below-average economic sentiment although the expectations improved over the last month. The sharp decline due to Covid-19 is made up by about 60 % already.
August 31, 2020
Hatice Gruber-Tschida Appointed New Managing Director of Österreich Institut
Hatice Gruber-Tschida, former Head of the Integration Centers Division of the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), will be the new Managing Director of the Österreich Institut, which is responsible for language teaching in the area of international culture at 10 locations in Belgrade, Brno, Bratislava, Budapest, Krakow, Rome, Sarajevo, Moscow, Warsaw, and Wroclaw.
August 28, 2020
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Berlin
Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg has come together with the other EU Foreign Minister to discuss current foreign affairs. The main topics were the conflict between Greece and Turkey, the current situation in Belarus, relations between the EU and Russia, and the peace process in the Middle East.
August 28, 2020
Federal Minister Nehammer: Joining Forces with Bavaria in the Fight Against Organized Crime and Trafficking
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann and Austria's Karl Nehammer intensify cooperation in the fight against human trafficking and organized crime. The two politicians have come together for a working meeting in Vienna.
August 28, 2020
German-Speaking Finance Ministers Met in Vienna
Vienna hosted the tenth informal meeting of the German-speaking finance ministers. Representatives of Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Austria took part in discussions about Covid-19 and the future of taxes.
August 28, 2020
Van der Bellen Promoted a Common, Greener European Future at the 75th European Forum Alpbach
Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen opened the 75th European Forum Alpbach with his speech that focused on international cooperation and an environmentally friendly and sustainable future.
August 26, 2020
US and British Universities At the Top, Austria's Universities are Mid-Table
Similar to the recent years, British and US universities are dominating the newly published "Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities". Austria's best result was a ranking in between 151 to 200 by the University of Vienna.
August 26, 2020
Financial Assets of Austrians Back at Record Level After Slump
Austrians have never been richer than today. Private financial assets have recovered and improved after a significant decline in the first quarter of 2020 due to Covid-19.
August 25, 2020
Austrian Strabag Expands Rail Network in Eastern Germany
Austrian technology company Strabag will be significantly influencing the rail road system in eastern Germany because of a deal that has them extending rail lines in Berlin and between Leipzig and Dresden.
August 25, 2020
Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig Met German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz
Mayor Michael Ludwig and German Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz met for a working meeting in Vienna. Discussions were held about economic relations and municipal topics such as affordable housing.
August 25, 2020
Mandatory Quarantine for Austrians in UK & Norway
The United Kingdom and Norway introduced a travel warning for Austria which leads to a mandatory quarantine for people coming from Austria. Both countries are thus reacting on the highly increasing numbers of infections in Austria.
August 21, 2020
IPU World Conference: National Council President Sobotka Highlights Importance of International Cooperation
The 5th IPU World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, originally planned on being conducted in Vienna, was held virtually from August 19 to August 20. Austrian National Council President Sobotka as well as the majority of the representatives underlined the importance of international cooperation.
August 21, 2020
Chancellor Kurz Criticizes Current Situation in Belarus
Chancellor Kurz and the majority of the European Union are criticizing the recent developments in Belarus and call for action. Free and fair elections and an end to the violence against protestors are among the demands.
August 20, 2020
US Ambassador Trevor Traina: Relations with Austria Stronger Than Ever
US Ambassador in Vienna Trevor Traina praises the improvement of US-Austrian relations in the recent year. A visit of President Donald Trump to Vienna is likely to happen once the travel restrictions fall.
August 20, 2020
Austria Introduces Travel Warning for Balearics
The government announced a travel warning for the Balearics and therefore reacts on the increasing number of Corona infected returners. The travel warning is valid since Monday, August 24 onwards and a negative PCR-test or a home quarantine is necessary to enter Austria.
August 19, 2020 · Updated: August 19, 2020; 18:37
New Timetable for European Capitals of Culture
The Covid-19 pandemic also affects the timetable for the European Capitals of Culture. Postponements and extensions are made in order to guarantee proper planning for the selected cities. In 2024, Austria should be hosting another Capital of Culture in Bad Ischl.
August 19, 2020
European Forum Alpbach Will Be Host to Numerous Outstanding Personalities Beginning August 23
The European Forum Alpbach will be opened by Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen on August 23 and will host various outstanding speakers, either in person or virtually, for 12 days.
August 18, 2020
Austrian Officials Open 13th IPU Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament
The 13th IPU Summit is held virtually and will cover important topics dealing with countless inequalities women face today. The organization of the event is a common effort between the Austrian Parliament and the United Nations.
August 18, 2020
Austria Lifts Landing Bans for Airplanes from All 18 Countries that were Previously Banned
The previous landing bans for aircraft from 18 countries expired on 1 August 2020. From now on, new entry regulations will apply, requiring a mandatory Covid 19 test. There are exceptions for diplomats and some other groups.
August 1, 2020
What British Nationals Travelling to Austria Need to Know
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently advises British nationals against all but essential international travel, with Austria being one of the exceptions. If you’re a British national and you’re planning travel to Austria, find out what you need to know about travel regulations and coronavirus in Austria in the article below.
July 30, 2020
Foreign Direct Investment into Austria Last Year Still Unbroken
According to the Austrian Business Promotion Agency for foreign corporate investors, 462 international companies with an investment volume of 1.85 billion euros were still being supported in 2019 in establishing a business in Austria. This resulted in the creation of almost 5,000 new jobs.
July 27, 2020
The 2020 Vienna Election: 230,000 Non-Austrian EU Citizens Are Eligible to Vote
A total of 1,362,795 persons are entitled to vote in the Vienna municipal and district elections on October 11, 2020. This figure includes 229,784 non-Austrian EU citizens who are eligible to vote and may participate in the district representative elections.
July 27, 2020
Coronavirus Worldwide Update
Worldwide deaths has exceed 610,000, according to data collected by the ECDC Centre in Sweden. More than 14.7 million people have been infected, while some 8.6 million have recovered. According to the WHO World Health Organisation, the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is still the USA, where there are already more than 140,000 deaths. The number of infected and dead continues to rise sharply in most countries. Following is the situation update as of July 22, 2020.
July 20, 2020
Landing Ban at Austrian Airports Extended from 10 to 18 Countries
In the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Austria will reinforce the landing bans for aircraft from COVID-19 risk areas as of Thursday, 16 July. Thus, landing bans will apply to aircraft from the following countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Iran, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Sweden, United Kingdom and Ukraine.
July 14, 2020
The International Organization of la Francophonie's Nakseu Nguefang Presents Credentials
The new Permanent Representative of the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF) to the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Mr. Georges Nakseu Nguefang, presented his credentials to the Director-General of UNOV.
July 10, 2020
Novartis Opens Production Facility for Innovative Eye Retina Product in Tyrol
The pharmaceutical company Novartis is investing EUR 27.4 million in the Kundl site in Tyrol to produce an active ingredient for a new therapy for wet age-related macular degeneration with 40 employees.
June 20, 2020
Another COVID Casualty: Austrian Airline Discontinues Flight Operations
The Austrian low-cost airline "Level" and subsidiary of British Airways (IAG International Airlines Group) has discontinued flight operations with immediate effect. The airline was hit hard economically by the consequences of the Covid 19 pandemic in Europe. A continuation of flight operations is not planned. About 200 employees in Vienna are affected by the bankruptcy.
June 19, 2020
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas Visiting Vienna
In preparation for Germany's EU Presidency in the second half of 2020, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas visited Austria and met Foreign Minister Schallenberg, among other things to restore normality in the area of freedom of travel as quickly as possible.
June 19, 2020
Austria's Contribution to the "Conference on the Future of Europe"
Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler started her Austria Dialogues on the Conference on the Future of Europe (Konferenz zur Zukunft Europas) with a series of talks with representatives of the Federal Provinces, mayors and EU municipal councils.
June 9, 2020
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