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BMEIA Federal Ministry for Europe Integration and Foreign Affairs
Presentation of the European State Prize in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
With the European State Prize, the Austrian Foreign Ministry once again honours the extraordinary commitment of organisations and citizens to the promotion of European awareness in Austria.
September 18, 2019
New Croatian Foreign Minister in Vienna
The visit of the new Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Gordan Grlić-Radman, to the Foreign Ministry in Vienna focused on the forthcoming EU Presidency, which Croatia will assume for the first time on 1 January 2020, as well as the possible start of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania.
September 13, 2019
War in Yemen: 1 Million Euro for UNICEF
One million euros in humanitarian funds from the Foreign Disaster Fund has been disbursed by the Austrian Government to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
September 12, 2019
Syria Conflict: Humanitarian Assistance to Jordan and Lebanon
Austria has decided to disburse humanitarian funds totalling EUR 1 million for Syria's most severely affected neighbouring countries. The funds from the Foreign Disaster Fund will each amount to half a million euros for Jordan and Lebanon.
September 12, 2019
Integration Report 2019: Asylum Applications Decline, Immigration Persists
The Expert Council on Integration chaired by Prof. Dr. Katharina Pabel presented Austria's ninth Integration Report. The report deals with integration monitoring and the perspectives of integration. It covers topics such as immigration, asylum, residence, school, apprenticeship, adult education, labour market, social issues, dealing with different gender roles, integration of young people, family reunification, marriage migration and dealing with religious diversity. Read the key findings here.
September 5, 2019
Cultural Policy is a Cornerstone of Austrian Soft Power
The BMEIA Federal Ministry for Europe Integration and Foreign Affairs presented the achievements of Austrian foreign culture in the Vienna Konzerthaus (Auslandskulturtagung). In addition to the highlights of the past year, such as the Year of Remembrance 2018, the Cultural Programme during the Austrian EU Presidency and the bilateral Cultural Year with Albania, the central areas of activity of Austrian foreign cultural work were highlighted.
September 4, 2019
EU Appoints Austrian Dr. Johann Sattler as New Special Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Council of the European Union appointed Johann Sattler as EU Special Representative (EUSR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He will also take over the role of the Head of the European Union's Delegation in Sarajevo.
August 9, 2019
Schallenberg: End of Cold War-Era Missile Pact is Threat to European Security
Austria's Foreign Minister regrets the end of the INF Treaty and calls for the voluntary non-stationing of land-based medium-range missiles in Europe.
August 3, 2019
Austria to Support Syria and Mali with EUR 2.5 Million
The Austrian Council of Ministers approved a total of 2.5 million euros in aid payments from the Foreign Disaster Fund for humanitarian aid in Mali and Syria. The money is intended for refugees in the two crisis areas.
July 31, 2019
Austrian Top Diplomat Walter Siegl Deceased
The Austrian Foreign Ministry mourns the loss of retired Ambassador and former Political Director Walter Siegl.
July 19, 2019
Austrian Foreign Ministry - Diplomatic Excursion 2019 to Lake Neusiedl
Foreign diplomats and heads of international organisations in Austria were invited by the BMEIA Federal Ministry for Europe Integration and Foreign Affairs to the annual summer excursion to Burgenland (Diplomatenausflug 2019).
July 3, 2019
Schallenberg Represents Austria in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg travelled to Geneva on the occasion of the current meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Last year Austria was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2019 to 2021.
July 2, 2019
First Visit Abroad Leads Foreign Minister Schallenberg to Finland
His first bilateral trip abroad took Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg to Helsinki. The trip focused not only on European policy issues but also on the EU Presidency, which Finland will take over on 1 July 2019.
June 25, 2019
Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg at EU Foreign Affairs Council for the First Time
In Luxembourg, Federal Minister Alexander Schallenberg represented Austria for the first time at the FAC Foreign Affairs Council and the Council of the European Union.
June 21, 2019
Austrian Parliament: Termination of EU Accession Negotiations with Turkey, Extension of Sanctions against Russia
In a statement to the government, the EU Main Committee of the Austrian National Council has unanimously spoken out in favour of breaking off EU accession negotiations with Turkey. Instead, the parliamentary groups believe that a strategic partnership should be sought.
June 21, 2019
New Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Took Office
Austria is and remains a reliable partner in the world and in Europe, stressed the new Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in his first speech to the Austrian National Council. Since developments at the international level are continuing and important decisions are pending, he said that what is needed most of all now is "a sense of proportion to what is possible, trust, reliability and stability".
June 17, 2019
Closure of Controversial King Abdullah Center in Vienna Decided
The Austrian National Council has decided to close the King Abdullah Centre in Vienna. The KAICIID - King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, which is largely financed by Saudi Arabia, has long been controversial. The imminent death sentence of 18-year-old Murtaja Qureiris in Saudi Arabia was the immediate cause. The majority decision of parliament must now be implemented by the Foreign Ministry under Alexander Schallenberg. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) spoke out in favour of a new centre under the auspices of the UN.
June 13, 2019
Potential President of the EU Commission Michel Barnier Met Top of New Austrian Government
Brexit chief negotiator Michel Barnier was in Vienna to meet several members of the new government, including Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. Officially, the Brexit negotiations were the focus of the talks, however, unofficially Barnier repeatedly shows interest as Jean-Claude Juncker's successor in the office of EU Commission President.
June 11, 2019
Austrian Top Diplomat Albert Rohan Deceased
As one of his first duties the new Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg had to inform the public about the death of one of the most distinguished diplomats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Albert Rohan died shortly after his 83rd birthday. He had played a crucial role in shaping Austrian foreign policy in numerous international functions.
June 5, 2019
New Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg Inaugurated
The new Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (49) was sworn in by the Federal President as Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs. He succeeds Karin Kneissl.
June 5, 2019
Criticism of the Lack of Foreign and European Policy Reports
The opposition, represented by Andreas Schieder (SPÖ), criticises the fact that for the last three years the Foreign Ministers Kurz and Kneissel have not submitted any annual Foreign and European Policy Reports for the purpose of reporting on fundamental foreign policy issues.
June 3, 2019
Opening of the New Austrian Foreign Trade Centre in Vietnam
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber's largest economic mission to Vietnam and Singapore is currently travelling in Southeast Asia to open a new base in Ho Chi Minh City and to sign a cooperation agreement in Singapore to establish a new Accelerator Programme.
May 16, 2019
ALPS 2019: How Diplomacy and Commerce Fit Together
As part of the 11th ALPS round in May 2019, 21 international company and start-up founders from 13 non-EU countries had the opportunity to make contact with Austrian decision-makers, explore ways of working together and develop new ideas.
May 16, 2019
Vienna Sticks to Iran Agreement
At the Eastern Partnership meeting in Brussels, the foreign ministers of the EU states discussed the rescue efforts for the nuclear agreement with Iran, specifically the maintenance of trade relations despite US sanction threats. Austria's Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl demanded that the nuclear agreement with Iran should be an EU priority.
May 16, 2019
Foreign Minister of Albania Gent Cakaj Visits Vienna
Austria emphasises its continued support for the commencement of EU accession negotiations with Albania.
April 26, 2019
IS Returnees to Austria - No Consular Protection Abroad
Austria adopted an autonomous consular law whereby consular protection abroad is regulated in a separate law for the first time and IS returnees can be denied consular protection.
April 26, 2019
New Working Holiday Program Enables Young Argentinians to Experience Living in Austria
Austria includes the largest Spanish-speaking nation, Argentina, in its range of working holiday programmes, so that in the future young people between 18 and 30 years of age from both countries will be able to travel more easily to the other country and gain new valuable experience on the labour market during a given period.
April 5, 2019
150th Anniversary - Japan and Austria Enjoy Excellent Bilateral Ties
Foreign Minister Kneissl has concluded her visit to Japan, which served, among other purposes, as preparation for the visit of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in autumn on the occasion of 150 years of relations between Japan and Austria. During her stay Kneissl also took part in numerous bilateral meetings and in the international women's conference WAW World Assembly for Women.
March 26, 2019
Minister of External Affairs of India Sushma Swaraj Met Karin Kneissl
Karin Kneissl, Austrian Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs accompanied by senior officials of her Ministry recently visited India. The visit of Minister Kneissl is part of the regular exchange between the two countries. During the visit, Minister Kneissl had a meeting with External Affairs Minister, Smt Sushma Swaraj, in New Delhi.
March 7, 2019
Kneissl in the Eastern South Asia Countries Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal
Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl's journey through Eastern South Asia took her via Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan to India. The trip focused on bilateral relations between Austria and the individual countries, development cooperation and the expansion of economic activities in the fields of tourism, energy and infrastructure.
February 26, 2019
Austria Boosts Funds for the Battle against Female Genital Mutilation
In the context of the International Day against FGM - Female Genital Mutilation, both the Austrian Foreign Ministry and the AIF - Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF - Österreichische Integrationsfonds), which is largely financed by the Austrian Foreign Ministry, are increasing the financial resources amounting to € 6 million for the international fight against FGM. This day commemorates the fact that around 200 million girls and women worldwide are affected by female genital mutilation. In Austria alone, 8,000 women with a migration background are affected.
February 6, 2019
Kick-off for the 150th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Austria
This year, Japan and Austria are commemorating the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This week the kick-off event took place with the Japanese Ambassador in Vienna Kiyoshi Koinuma and the Head of the Section for Foreign Cultural Relations (Sektion V - Kulturelle Auslandsbeziehungen) at the Foreign Ministry, Section Head Ambassador Dr. Teresa Indjein.
January 25, 2019
Austria Appoints 15 New Ambassadors to Austrian Embassies Worldwide
Some top positions in the Austrian diplomatic service were awarded this week. The Council of Ministers of the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to place new Austrian diplomats at head of following Austrian Embassies worldwide.
January 24, 2019
Current Austrian Ambassador to Israel to Become Top Diplomat in the United States
Ambassador Martin Weiss, the current Ambassador in Tel Aviv and former Speaker of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, will become the new Austrian Ambassador in Washington D.C., USA.
January 24, 2019
United Nations - Dr. Alexander Marschik Appointed New Austrian Ambassador to the UN Headquarters in NYC
In the context of an extensive replacement of ambassadors in the Foreign Ministry, Dr. Alexander Marschik was entrusted with the direction of the Austrian Mission to the United Nations in New York City. As a diplomat with 4 years of professional experience in New York, it is a return to familiar parquet.
January 24, 2019
Von der Leyen in Vienna - Europe Is Shaping an Army
At a meeting of the defence ministers of Germany, Austria and Switzerland in Vienna, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen once again called for a common European army and closer cooperation.
January 18, 2019
Austria Signed Memorandum with Economic Chambers of Western Balkan States
The representatives of the Economic Chamber and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Harald Mahrer and Karin Kneissl, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Economic Chambers of the Western Balkan states Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro. The aim is to strengthen regional cooperation at the economic level, particularly in the area of dual vocational training.
January 18, 2019
New Austrian Foreign Trade Strategy: Growth, Jobs, Prosperity
In a joint event in the Aula of Sciences, the Federal Government's new foreign trade strategy was presented by Economics Minister Margarete Schramböck, Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and President of the Chamber of Commerce Harald Mahrer. The key points of the strategy are the following: Perspective, value orientation, location effect, focal points, future orientation, communication, efficient coordination.
December 20, 2018
Kosovo to Build its Own Army: US and UK in Favour, Austria, EU and Nato Oppose
The Kosovar parliament decided against the strong advice of both the EU and NATO to set up official armed forces. Serbia's leadership cautions against a new war. Austria's Foreign Ministry warns and assesses the decision to form an own army as "not helpful".
December 14, 2018
Afghanistan - Reopening of Austrian Embassy in Kabul in Discussion
At about the same time as the drama about the 16-year-old girl killed by a 17-year-old Afghan in her childrens' room in Steyr took its course in Austria, H.E. Idrees Zaman Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan and Austria's Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl met to discuss the reopening of the Austrian Embassy in Kabul, visa issues and other issues of mutual interest.
December 14, 2018
Austria to Open Embassy in Oman in 2019
Next year, the Austrian Foreign Ministry plans to reopen the Embassy in Muscat, the capital and largest city of Oman, which was closed for budget reasons in 2012.
December 13, 2018
Opening of Austrian Cultural Forum Sarajevo - Strengthening of Cultural Ties
104 years after the murder of the archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo, Austria opens the 30th Austrian Cultural Forum in the Bosnian capital. The Cultural Forum (Österreichisches Kulturforum Sarajewo / Austrijski kulturni forum Sarajevo) is part of the network of the Foreign Ministry. The aim is to strengthen the cultural links between South Eastern Europe and Austria.
December 4, 2018
How to Eliminate Violence against Women?
In context with the UN-sponsored campaign "International Day for the elimination of violence against women", there are various initiatives against violence against women not only at the UN, but also in Brussels and Vienna. Federica Mogherini announced that the EU has decided to allocate an additional €5 million to support the projects of Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Nadia Murad and Dr Denis Mukwege. And the Austrian Foreign Ministry, together with the Austrian Integration Fund, is participating in the campaign "16 days against violence against women".
November 26, 2018
What Do You Know About the Austrian National Day?
The Austrian National Day (Nationalfeiertag) has been celebrated annually since 1965 on 26 October, the day on which the decided Austrian neutrality came into force in 1955 and the last occupying powers left Austria. The Parliament, the Office of the Federal President, the Federal Chancellery, the Foreign Ministry, etc. invite the public to the Open Day, which - this year - is dedicated to the commemoration year 1918. The public is invited to contribute their ideas. Take the chance to get to know Austria!
October 25, 2018
Khashoggi Case: Austria Increases Pressure on Saudi Arabia
The Austrian Foreign Ministry is now having the legal status of the controversial King Abdullah Centre (KAICIID) reviewed. The Centre has been criticised by representatives of civil society who are concerned with Saudi Arabia's poor human-rights record in fears that the KAICIID would in fact be misused by founding member and chief financier Saudi Arabia as a bridge-head for spreading Wahhabism in Austria and Europe.
October 22, 2018
Karin Kneissl at the Foreign Affairs Council - Khashoggi, Libya, Venezuela and the Eastern Partnership
Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl met with Federica Mogherini and the other EU Foreign Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg to discuss the situation in Libya, migration issues, the EU's Eastern Partnership, and the case of the missing Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
October 16, 2018
Citizens' Initiative "Europa.cafe" Receives the Europe State Award 2018
The European State Prize of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs honours the voluntary commitment of citizens and organisations to promote European awareness and understanding. The winning project in 2018 was the nationwide citizens' initiative "Europa.cafe", a successful example of how to creatively make the European Union tangible for the individual citizen on the one hand and how committed citizens can reach with dedication and conviction on the other.
October 12, 2018
Expansion of Nepal-Austria Relations Beyond Mountaineering
Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali paid a working visit to Austria. The visit focused on bilateral relations and the opening of the embassy in November last year.
September 19, 2018
Integration Report 2018: Focus on Women with a Migration Background
The members of the Expert Council on Integration presented the results of the Integration Report 2018. The Integration Report provides a comprehensive overview of integration in Austria. Austria's number of asylum applications in 2017 remained high compared to other EU countries. With 2.8 asylum applications per 1,000 inhabitants, Austria ranks 5th among all EU member states in proportion to its population.
September 14, 2018
Intercultural Achievement Award Fosters Dialogue Between Cultures
The Austrian Foreign Ministry presented the Intercultural Achievement Award (IAA) for the fifth time. The award honours inspiring projects in civil society that foster intercultural dialogue and coexistence. This time the award for sustainability went to a project from Mozambique. Ambassador Jörg Wojahn, the Representation of the European Commission in Vienna, and Secretary General of the OSCE Thomas Greminger used the dialogue-based work of their own institutions as a starting point and awarded prizes to projects from Ukraine and Tunisia.
September 14, 2018
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