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Alexander Van der Bellen
Michael Linhart Named New Austrian Foreign Minister
The current Austrian ambassador in Paris, Michael Linhart (63), will succeed Alexander Schallenberg as Austria's new foreign minister. Linhart was Secretary General at the Foreign Ministry from 2013 to 2018. Learn more about his background.
October 11, 2021
Schallenberg to Succeed as Chancellor Following the Resignation of Kurz
Following the resignation of Sebastian Kurz as Chancellor in the wake of the corruption scandal involving not only Sebastian Kurz but also his inner circle of about 10 associates, Alexander Schallenberg, the current Foreign Minister, will be inaugurated as the new Chancellor. Read also who could become Austria's new foreign minister.
October 10, 2021
Antisemitic Vandalism at Auschwitz-Birkenau Highlights Alarming Trend
One day after an Austrian delegation, including President Van der Bellen, Foreign Minister Schallenberg, and EU Minister Edtstadler spoke at the opening of the new Austrian exhibition at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial, the museum reported antisemitic vandalism at the camp. The shocking incident underscores a larger trend of antisemitism in Europe and around the world. Read more about the incident, the trend of antisemitism, and what is being done to combat it.
October 7, 2021
Polish-Austrian Relations: Official Visit and Business Forum in Warsaw
Polish President Andrzej Duda hosted Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen in Warsaw for the first official visit of an Austrian President in Poland since 2009. The two had a meeting and held a joint press conference in which they discussed various issues, including Poland's current issues with the EU. Van der Bellen also attended an economic forum and met with other Polish leaders. Read more about the details of the President's visit to Poland.
October 6, 2021
Auschwitz-Birkenau: Austrian Delegation to Visit Largest Mass Murder Site in Human History
At the invitation of the Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum Piotr M.A. Cywiński and Austrian National Council President Sobotka, an Austrian delegation including President Van der Bellen and Foreign Minister Schallenberg will attend the opening of the new Austrian national exhibition "Distance - Austria and Auschwitz" in the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum at the former Nazi concentration camp. Read more about the important new exhibition, who will be attending the opening, and the schedule for the rest of the president's trip to Poland.
October 4, 2021
Van der Bellen at 76th UN General Assembly: "World Stage of Foreign Policy"
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen is in New York attending the 76th UN General Assembly along with Chancellor Kurz and Foreign Minister Schallenberg. On Tuesday, President Van der Bellen attended the "Welcome Reception" with UN-Secretary General António Guterres and the opening of the General Assembly. The President also held talks with the presidents of Costa Rica, Ghana, Guyana, Senegal, and Zambia. Van der Bellen is still scheduled to meet with Secretary-General Guterres, various world leaders, and scientists to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and more. Read about the President's trip so far and what is next on his agenda.
September 21, 2021
Multilateralism at the UN General Assembly: Kurz and Schallenberg in NYC
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Foreign Minister Schallenberg are in New York for the 76th United Nations General Assembly. Their trip includes meetings with various delegations, with an emphasis on the situation in Afghanistan and the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, the pair, along with President Van der Bellen, will meet for talks with UN Secretary-General Antońio Guterres. Chancellor Kurz will also address the Council on Foreign Relations and Schallenberg will deliver a speech to the General Assembly. Read more about the details of their trip.
September 21, 2021
Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from Sweden, New Zealand, Chile, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Maldives and Barbados
Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the eight newly accredited Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Sweden, New Zealand, the Republic of Chile, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Maldives, and Barbados to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.
September 17, 2021
Meet the New Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives
The new Ambassador of Maldives to Austria, H.E. Mr. Asim Ahmed, presented his credentials to Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. Ambassador Ahmed also recently met with Leonore Gewessler, the Austrian Minister for Climate Action. Learn more about the Ambassador.
September 17, 2021
New Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia Presents Credentials
The new Ambassador of Latvia to Austria, H.E. Ms. Guna Japiņa, presented her credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Read more about Ambassador Japiņa and her discussion with President Van der Bellen.
September 17, 2021
Meet the New Ambassador of Barbados to Austria
The new Ambassador of Barbados to Austria, H.E. Mr. Chad Blackman, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Mr. Blackman is also the first Ambassador of Barbados to Serbia and the Permanent Representative of Barbados to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and UN offices in Geneva. Learn more about Ambassador Blackman.
September 17, 2021
New Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan Presents Credentials
The new Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Austria, H.E. Mr. Rovshan Sadigbayli, presented his credentials to the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. He is also the Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the International Organizations in Vienna. Learn more about the new ambassador.
September 17, 2021
Meet the New Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic
The new Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Austria, H.E. Mr. Tolendy Makeyev, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Ambassador Makeyev is also the Permanent Representative of Kyrgyzstan to the International Organizations in Vienna. Learn more about him.
September 17, 2021
Meet the New Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Austria
The new Ambassador of Sweden to Austria, H.E. Ms. Annika Markovic, presented her credentials to Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. Ambassador Markovic is also the Ambassador of Sweden to Slovakia and the Permanent Representative of Sweden to the International Organizations in Vienna. Learn more about her.
September 16, 2021
Van der Bellen Appeals for the Acceptance of Afghans
In his speech at the opening of the European Forum Alpbach (EFA) with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen appealed for the acceptance of refugees from Afghanistan. Despite Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's concerns about accepting refugees, the president argued that there is a legal, moral and political obligation for the EU to offer protection to those forced to leave their country.
August 25, 2021
High Honor for Austrian Medal Winners of the Tokyo Summer Olympics
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen held a reception at the Vienna Hofburg for the Austrian medalists of the Tokyo Summer Olympics. At the reception, Van der Bellen and other officials honored the seven athletes led by gold medalist Anna Kiesenhofer.
August 13, 2021
Bulgarian President Meets With Van der Bellen in Salzburg
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev recently met with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen at the Salzburg Festival. The two discussed various issues, including climate change, migration, the Western Balkans and more. Read more about their meeting.
August 2, 2021
Opening of the 75th Bregenz Festival
After being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 75th anniversary of the Bregenz Festival is finally happening. President Alexander Van der Bellen gave a passionate address about climate change and other issues at the opening of the festival.
July 22, 2021
New Ambassador of Niger to Austria Presents Credentials
The new Ambassador of Niger to Austria, Mr. Laouali Labo, presented his credentials to the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about him.
July 21, 2021
Vietnamese Ambassador Presents Credentials to International Organizations in Vienna
The new Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Vietnam, Nguyen Trung Kien, presented his credentials to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Ghada Waly. On July 5, 2021, he also presented Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen with his credentials.
July 14, 2021 · Updated: July 21, 2021; 13:00
Russian-Austrian Relations: What is the Sochi Dialogue?
The establishment of the Russian-Austrian civil society forum "Sochi Dialogue" dates back to an initiative by Vladimir Putin and Sebastian Kurz in February 2018. The forum's mission is to promote the exchange of views and ideas. What is the status quo?
July 20, 2021
Meet the New Ambassador of Romania to Austria
The new Ambassador of Romania to Austria, Mr. Emilian Horațiu Hurezeanu, presented his credentials to the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about his background.
July 20, 2021
Von der Leyen and King Philippe Meet with Van der Bellen in Brussels
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Belgium's King Philippe each met with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen on his latest trip to Brussels. Climate change was a key topic of discussion. Read what Van der Bellen had to say about it.
July 20, 2021
New Ambassador of Panama to Austria Presents Credentials
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the Republic of Austria, Mr. Dario Ernesto Chiru Ochoa, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about his background.
July 19, 2021
Meet the New Ambassador of Nicaragua to Austria
The new Ambassador of Nicaragua to Austria, Sabra Amari Murillo Centeno, presented her credentials to Austrian President, Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about her.
July 16, 2021
New Ambassador of Nigeria to Austria Presents his Credentials
The new Ambassador of Nigeria to Austria and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (Vienna), Mr. Suleiman Dauda Umar, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about him.
July 15, 2021
Meet the New Ambassador of Slovenia to Austria
The new Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Austria, H.E. Mr. Aleksander Geržina, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. He was already Ambassador to Austria from 2009 to 2013. Learn more about his background.
July 13, 2021
Meet the Ambassador of the French Republic to Austria
The Ambassador of the French Republic to Austria, Mr. Gilles Pécout, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Read more about him.
July 12, 2021 · Updated: July 12, 2021; 13:43
Meet the Ambassador of Pakistan to Austria and Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna
The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Austria, Mr. Aftab Ahmad Khokher, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen. Learn more about him.
July 9, 2021
German-Speaking Heads of State: "Possibility of More Sustainable and Resilient Era"
The heads of state of German-speaking countries met in Germany to discuss social cohesion after the Covid-19 pandemic and using the pandemic to move into a "more sustainable and resilient era". Read more about the meeting below.
June 30, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Austria Prepares for a "Summer Like Back Then"
Austria is getting ready for a summer with (hopefully) little Covid-19 impact. Night life will be celebrating its full return in a week from now and travel with the Green Passport should become easier as of July 1 as well. The Find out more about this week's developments.
June 24, 2021
Kosovo's President Meets Van der Bellen in Vienna
Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu traveled to Vienna to meet with her Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen. The main topics of their discussion were the progress in the EU accession process and bilateral cooperation in various fields. Read more about the meeting below.
June 24, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Return to Normality in July
The Austrian government has announced the reduction of restrictions as of July 1. Three weeks later, some more relaxations could be implemented. Are the coming weeks the last ones of the pandemic? Find out more about this week's developments.
June 17, 2021
South Korean President in Vienna
The South Korean President Moon Jae-in has met his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen and the Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in Vienna to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic and a strategic partnership.
June 15, 2021
Zeman and Van der Bellen Urge Better Relations with Russia
At a bilateral meeting in Vienna, Czech President Miloš Zeman and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen have agreed on the necessity to include Russia in Europe and demand negotiations with the Kreml. Read more below.
June 11, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Is the Pandemic Really Over?
In a meeting with his Italian counterpart, Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen stated that the "pandemic as we have experienced it can be considered overcome." Is this the case? Find out more about this week's developments.
June 10, 2021
International Pride Month: Austria Wears Rainbow Colors
In June, Austria will celebrate the LGBTIQ community by hosting numerous events. One of these events will be the Vienna Rainbow Parade on June 19. Read more about this event and how President Van der Bellen supports the LGBTIQ community.
June 8, 2021
Steinmeier and Van der Bellen Demand European Cohesion
At a working meeting in Germany, Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier discuss European unity and bilateral cooperation with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more below.
June 7, 2021
Estonian President and Van der Bellen: "This was State Kidnapping"
The Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and her Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen condemn the recent developments in Belarus and demand immediate action from the European Union.
May 28, 2021
US Embassy Chargé D'Affaires Dunnigan Portrays Relationship with Austria Under the Biden Administration
Robin Dunnigan, temporary head of the US Mission in Vienna in an interview with Austrian media highlighted the different fields of cooperation and discord between the US and Austria under the new Biden administration.
May 11, 2021
Slovakian Prime Minister Meets Kurz and Van der Bellen
The newly appointed Prime Minister of Slovakia Eduard Heger has travelled to Vienna to meet with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and President Van der Bellen. On the agenda of the working meetings were the Covid-19 pandemic, border management and nuclear energy. Read below to find out more about possible bilateral agreements with regard to the "Green Passport".
May 6, 2021
Belarusian Opposition Leader Meets Van der Bellen, Kurz and Schallenberg
During her working visit to Vienna, the Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya met with Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in order to discuss the continued support from Austria for the efforts of the Belarusian opposition and civil society.
April 30, 2021
Van der Bellen Addresses U.S. President Biden with Climate Concern
On the occasion of International Earth Day, Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen appeals to the international community and wishes U.S. President Joe Biden's climate summit a complete success. Van der Bellen demands a quick and significant reduction of emissions in order to not miss "the window of opportunity for effective countermeasures."
April 22, 2021
Mückstein Becomes New Austrian Health Minister
After the resignation of former Austrian Health Minister Rudolf Anschober, Wolfgang Mückstein has been presented as the successor. The general practitioner and head of the primary care center in Vienna will be sworn in on Monday, April 19, by President Alexander Van der Bellen.
April 14, 2021
Van der Bellen "International Cooperation More Important Than Ever"
A year of Covid-19 pandemic, lockdowns, travel restrictions and similar life-changing measures has also impacted the international cooperation for Austria's Federal President Van der Bellen. Despite the circumstances, Van der Bellen tried to "maintain foreign policy contacts" and emphasizes the importance of international cooperation during a pandemic.
April 2, 2021
Israel's President Visits Van der Bellen
Israel's President Reuven Rivlin came to the Hofburg in Vienna to discuss with Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen Israel's concerns regarding Iran and the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Austria's Federal President pleaded for a "way back to the negotiating table" with Iran hinting at the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was negotiated in Vienna in 2015.
March 19, 2021
Vienna Welcomes New Ambassadors from Spain, Kazakhstan, Ireland, Ghana, Argentina and Afghanistan
Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the six newly accredited Ambassadors of the Kingdom of Spain, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Ireland, the Republic of Ghana, the Argentine Republic and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Austria to the Presidential Chancellery of the Vienna Imperial Palace for the presentation of their letters of accreditation.
March 4, 2021
Swiss President Visits Austria
The new Swiss President Guy Parmelin conducted his first trip abroad to meet with Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka in Vienna. The politicians discussed the Covid-19 situation in Europe, the Swiss relations with the EU and bilateral cooperation between Switzerland and Austria.
March 4, 2021
Čaputovà and Van der Bellen Demand Sustainable Relaunch After Covid-19
The Slovak President Zuzana Čaputovà met Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen virtually in order to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic, Austrian aid to Slovakia and the climate crisis. Both head of states demand that the "relaunch of the economy in the EU must be sustainable" after the Covid-19 crisis.
February 19, 2021
Guterres and Van der Bellen Demand Vaccines for Poor Countries
In a telephone conference UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen discussed the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the climate crisis and the importance of multilateralism in combating global challenges. Van der Bellen also mentioned Austria's support for the efforts of the United Nations.
February 3, 2021
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