BMEIA Federal Ministry for Europe Integration and Foreign Affairs
Austria's Engagement in the Middle East: Solidarity with Israel and Support for Palestine
Amid the tense situation in the Middle East, Austria has reaffirmed its solidarity with Israel and at the same time pledged humanitarian aid for the Palestinian civilian population.
November 12, 2023
Austria and Czech Republic for European Stability and Security
During a pivotal meeting in Vienna, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and his Czech counterpart Jan Lipavský showcased a united front on several critical international issues.
November 8, 2023
Austria's Rejection of UN Resolution Raises Questions Within the Government
Austria voted against a resolution in the UN General Assembly calling for an immediate ceasefire and improvement in the humanitarian situation in the Middle East. The decision, made by the ÖVP-led government, has caused tensions within the coalition, especially with the Green coalition partner, which has distanced itself from the decision.
November 1, 2023
Austria Takes Over Chairmanship of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region
November 1, 2023, marks the beginning of an important phase for Austria as it takes over the presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR). This key region, which stretches from the Black Forest to the Black Sea and encompasses around 115 million people, faces a multitude of challenges. The country is taking over this task from Slovenia and will be in charge until December 31, 2024.
October 24, 2023
Berlin Process Summit in Tirana: Western Balkans on the Way to the EU
Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg attended the Berlin Process Summit in Tirana on behalf of Chancellor Karl Nehammer. The necessary reforms and progress in the EU enlargement of the six Western Balkan states were discussed. Foreign Minister Schallenberg again advocated his model of gradual integration.
October 18, 2023
Evacuation Flight for Austrians from Israel: Austrian Government and Armed Forces Respond to Security Situation
Due to the ongoing tense security situation in Israel, which has led to numerous airlines suspending their connections to the country, the Austrian government has decided to take evacuation measures for its citizens.
October 10, 2023
Future of the Western Balkans in the EU: Rapprochement Despite Tensions
In recent years, the Western Balkans have increasingly become the focus of EU accession talks. The Berlin Process, a 2014 initiative of the German government, created a format that promotes regional cooperation in the Western Balkans and supports the countries' rapprochement with the EU.
October 10, 2023
Austria Reacts to Hamas Attack: Solidarity with Israel and Concern about Iran
Amid the tense situation in the Middle East, the Iranian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Vienna. Austria strongly condemned the official Iranian reaction to the attack on Israel by the Hamas terrorist organization. The Foreign Ministry stressed that Austria categorically rejects any questioning of Israel's right to exist and will consistently act against any form of anti-Semitism in the future.
October 9, 2023
Central European Foreign Ministers of the "Central 5" Discuss OSCE, Ukraine, and Migration
The foreign ministers of the "Central 5" (C5) - Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia - met in Vienna to discuss current security policy and neighborhood issues. Host Alexander Schallenberg stressed the importance of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) as a pan-European platform for dialogue, especially in light of the challenges posed by Russia's attack on Ukraine and the need to keep the OSCE alive. During the meeting, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijártó repeatedly irritated the participants.
October 1, 2023
Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal: The New World Special Representative of the Austrian Chancellor
Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, former Secretary General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, was recently appointed World Special Representative by Chancellor Karl Nehammer. His main task in this new function will be to intensify relations between Austria and the global South, especially Africa.
October 1, 2023
Austria Provides 2 Million Euros for Disaster Relief in North Africa
The suffering caused by natural disasters in Morocco and Libya has caused consternation around the world. To respond to this humanitarian crisis, the Austrian Federal Government has decided to provide two million euros from the Foreign Ministry's Foreign Disaster Fund.
September 21, 2023
Austrian Representatives at the UN General Assembly in New York
The UN General Assembly, which is taking place in New York this year, will see strong representation from Austria. With Federal President Alexander van der Bellen and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the forefront, Austria wants to convey its messages clearly.
September 19, 2023
Austria's Foreign Cultural Conference 2023: A Look into the Past and the Future
The Austrian Foreign Ministry is celebrating a special anniversary. For 50 years, half a century, it has represented Austria's cultural heritage and current artistic developments abroad. At this year's Foreign Cultural Conference reception, the focus was not only on the past but above all on the future.
September 10, 2023
Austria's Ambassadors' Conference 2023 Under the title "Austria's Eyes and Ears in the World"
Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg opened this year's Foreign Ministry Ambassadors' Conference, which is taking place this week in Vienna. The week-long conference brings together the heads of Austrian embassies and permanent representations to deepen mutual exchange and intensify cooperation with their colleagues in Vienna.
September 5, 2023
Austria's Positive Path Towards Citizenship for Descendants of National Socialism Victims
Austria took an important step in October 2019 to live up to its historical responsibility. Parliament made it possible for the descendants of persecutees of National Socialism to obtain citizenship through a "notification". This significant amendment to the Citizenship Law came into force on September 1, 2020. In view of the third anniversary of this change, Foreign Minister Schallenberg draws a positive conclusion.
September 3, 2023
International Day Against Nuclear Tests: Pressure on Key States Grows
The International Day Against Nuclear Testing is a global action established by the UN General Assembly in 2009. This day aims to draw attention to the "devastating and harmful effects" that nuclear testing has on people and the environment. The UN, represented by the Secretary-General, and international actors such as Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg are increasing pressure on so-called key states to finally ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
August 29, 2023
Conference in Zagreb: Austria and Croatia Strengthen Diplomatic Relations
The annual conference of Croatian ambassadors, consuls general, consuls, and military plenipotentiaries was held in Zagreb. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg was invited as a guest speaker, who was welcomed by his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlić-Radman.
August 28, 2023
Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg at Crimea Platform
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg virtually participated in the Crimea Platform Summit - an initiative of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs working to restore Ukraine's full sovereignty over Crimea in accordance with international law. The meeting took place on the eve of Ukrainian Independence Day.
August 23, 2023
Austria Against Faith in Nuclear Deterrence
On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 9, 1945, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg stresses the urgency of nuclear disarmament. The terrible effects and the immeasurable human suffering caused by nuclear weapons must continue to be raised awareness.
August 6, 2023
Austrian and Korean Foreign Ministers Celebrate 60 Years of Diplomatic Ties at Salzburg Festival
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Austria and the Republic of Korea, Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin visited the Salzburg Festival at the invitation of Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg. The high-ranking politicians took the opportunity to discuss the good diplomatic and economic relations between their countries and to explore further opportunities for cooperation.
July 30, 2023
Austria and Vietnam Deepen Partnership in Economy and Politics
A significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations between Austria and Vietnam was achieved with the visit of Vietnam's President Võ Văn Thưởng and Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn to Vienna.
July 26, 2023
Strengthening Diplomatic Ties: Outcomes of Austrian-Armenian Meeting in Vienna
The meeting between the Austrian and Armenian Foreign Ministers addressed crucial regional and global issues, including migration, security, and humanitarian challenges. The signing of the Readmission Agreement Protocol and discussions on various topics laid a foundation for further cooperation and diplomatic efforts between the two nations.
July 25, 2023
Foreign Ministers of Slavkov Format Countries Hold Talks with Key Political Actors in North Macedonia
Foreign Ministers Jan Lipavský, Miroslav Wlachovský, and Alexander Schallenberg held talks with representatives of the government, parliament, and parliamentary opposition in Northern Macedonia. The aim of the ministers' visit within the framework of the Slavkov format countries was to support North Macedonia on its way to the European Union and to listen to the views of key political actors.
July 16, 2023
Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the Northern Adriatic Trilateral Meeting
Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg took part in the Northern Adriatic Trilateral Meeting at the invitation of his Italian counterpart. The meeting was also attended by the Foreign Ministers of Italy, Antonio Tajani, Croatia, Gordan Grlić Radman, and Slovenia's Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon. The talks focused on important issues such as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the rapprochement of the Western Balkans with the EU, and the fight against illegal migration.
July 11, 2023
OSCE High-Level Climate Conference Highlights Cross-Border Cooperation
Addressing climate-related challenges and security risks through enhanced cross-border cooperation took center stage at the OSCE High-Level Conference on Climate Change, held at the Hofburg in Vienna. Among those attending the conference were high-level representatives of the OSCE participating states and partners for cooperation, climate security experts and practitioners, and representatives of international organizations.
July 9, 2023
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Strengthens Economic Ties with Austria During First Europe Trip
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah met for working talks with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in Vienna. The visit of the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister to Vienna underlines the interest of both countries in further strengthening economic relations and intensifying cooperation at the geopolitical level.
July 4, 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
Diplomatic Trip to Styria: Between Business Location and Chocolate Paradise
After a break of several years due to COVID - Pandemic, the traditional diplomatic excursion finally took place again. This time, the ambassadors based in Austria had the opportunity to get to know the many facets of the local culture, innovative strength, and culinary delights in Styria.
June 29, 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
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
Austrian Diplomacy Wins: Two Austrians Freed from Iranian Detention
Austria's efforts to secure the release of Kamran Ghaderi and Massud Mossaheb from Iranian custody have finally borne fruit. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announced that the two Austrian-Iranian dual citizens were on their way to Austria, where their families are eagerly waiting for them.
June 6, 2023
Anniversary Celebration at MuseumsQuartier: 30 Years of the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights
The Austrian Foreign Ministry, together with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is organizing a series of high-profile events in Vienna's MuseumsQuartier to mark the 30th anniversary of the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights. The events are intended to draw attention to the importance of human rights in times of global crises and to make it clear that they are the cornerstone of democracy, peace, and justice.
June 4, 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
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
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
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
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
India and Austria Sign Migration and Mobility Agreement
In a significant development, Austria and India have signed a comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership agreement to strengthen cooperation on legal migration and repatriation.
May 14, 2023
Austria's Foreign Disaster Fund is Increased
Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg have praised the increase of the Foreign Disaster Fund (AKF) to 77.5 million euros in 2023 before the Council of Ministers.
May 4, 2023
Trilateral Working Meeting Between Foreign Ministers of Slovenia, Croatia and Austria
Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met his counterpart from Croatia Gordan Radman and his counterpart from Slovenia Tanja Fajon in Rijeka, Croatia, for a trilateral working meeting. The talks focused on the economic interdependence of the three countries and good neighborly relations, but Schallenberg blocked Slovenian wishes to open borders.
April 26, 2023
Austria Foreign Minister Schallenberg Travelled to Luxembourg for EU Meeting
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg traveled to Luxembourg for the Foreign Affairs Council. The meeting of EU foreign ministers focused on the fierce fighting in Sudan, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and its global impact, and the situation in Iran.
April 25, 2023
Austria May Step In to Chair the OSCE According to the Media
Russia has been opposing Estonia's leadership of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2024 for months. Citing diplomatic circles, it was reported that the Austrian Foreign Ministry (BMEIA) was considering stepping in for the rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Vienna.
April 24, 2023
New Austrian Award for Champions of Regional Cooperation
In recognition of Erhard Busek's tireless commitment to bringing the countries of Eastern and Southeastern Europe closer to the European Union, the Austrian Foreign Ministry, together with the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the successor organization to the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe headed by Erhard Busek from 2002 to 2008, is offering the Champion of Regional Integration Erhard Busek Award.
April 23, 2023
Secretary General of the Council of Europe Pejčinović Burić visiting Vienna
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić met the Austrian President and key ministers and personalities during an official visit to Austria. Among others, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg received the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejčinović Burić for a working meeting in Vienna.
April 23, 2023
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