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Ukraine's Kursk Offensive Assessed by Colonel Markus Reisner: A Risky Strategy with Far-Reaching Consequences
The recent Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, assessed by Colonel Markus Reisner of the Austrian Armed Forces, represents a bold but risky strategy that could have a profound impact on the course of the conflict and the future geopolitical situation.
August 16, 2024
RBI in a Balancing Act Between Sanction Risks and Solid Management
Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) is currently caught between geopolitical tensions and its own business progress. Recent developments have led the bank to take cautious steps to avoid sanction risks on the one hand and to present its robust quarterly results on the other, which show that the bank remains strong even without the income from Russia and Belarus.
May 2, 2024
Vienna Hosts Meetings for Belarusian Opposition Leader
In a diplomatic engagement, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg welcomed Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Belarusian opposition leader, for a pivotal discussion in Vienna. This meeting, which took place within the framework of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, brought the key figure of the Belarusian opposition to Vienna to address the OSCE and the European Community under the symbolic presence of the Austrian and EU flags.
February 28, 2024
Two Years of War in Ukraine: Solidarity and demands for peace from the international community in Vienna
Two years after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the international community remains alarmed and united in its support for Ukraine. The ongoing violence against civilians, including children, and Russia's violation of international human rights norms have sparked concern and outrage around the world. The OSCE and international representatives have spoken out strongly, calling for an end to the war.
February 26, 2024
Belarus Refuses OSCE Observation of Parliamentary Elections
The Belarusian authorities have decided not to invite observers from the OSCE to the upcoming parliamentary and local elections. This decision contradicts Belarus' international commitments and highlights concerns about the transparency and democratic standards of the elections.
January 16, 2024
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
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
Austria's Vice-Chancellor and Sports Minister Kogler Against Russia's and Belarus's Participation in the 2024 Olympics
Unlike the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Austrian Olympic Committee (ÖOC), Austria's Vice Chancellor and Sports Minister Werner Kogler is strictly against Russia's and Belarus's participation in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. According to Kogler, "it is simply unacceptable for Ukrainian athletes to compete against Russian and Belarusian athletes in the fight for medals."
February 9, 2023
Thriller Surrounding Ex-Chief of Belarusian Raiffeisen Subsidiary
The head of the Belarusian Raiffeisen subsidiary Priorbank and ex-honorary consul of Austria in Belarus has now been released after a period of imprisonment. The Austrian diplomat Sergey Kostyuchenko, who is said to have made great contributions to bilateral relations between Minsk and Vienna, was a political prisoner of Alexander Lukashenko's regime over the last year.
January 30, 2023
OSCE Condemns Unjust Convictions Against Journalists in Belarus
In response to the recent imprisonment of journalists, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media today expressed concern about the continued and unchanging practice of judicial reprisals against journalists and media workers.
July 14, 2022
Belarusian Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya Met Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Vienna
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya met Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Vienna at the Austrian Foreign Ministry. The meeting focused on the current state of politics in Belarus and Russia.
June 2, 2022
Russia and Allies Held Summit in Moscow
The Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) held a meeting in Moscow to strengthen Russia's alliance with military partners like Belarus, Kazahkstan, Armenia, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan and to condemn the West. The CSTO and its Collective Security Council meeting were held in honor of the 30th anniversary of the treaty and the 20th anniversary of the organization.
May 17, 2022
Will Russia Hold Referendums in Eastern Ukraine or Step Up Its War Effort
The war in Ukraine is raging and the Ukrainians are defending themselves against the more powerful Russian forces, which, however, have faltered. The question that arises is what strategy Russia will now adopt. There are signs of referendums in eastern Ukraine and of stepping up the Russian war effort.
May 5, 2022
Austria's Raiffeisen Bank Now Considering Russia and Ukraine Exit After All
Raiffeisen Bank International is considering withdrawing from Russia. The enormous civil suffering in Ukraine caused by Russia's war of aggression had led the management to this decision. This step is not taken easy, since Russia counts as one of the key areas of the Austrian bank.
March 18, 2022
Strategic Partnership Update Between the United States and Austria
In light of the unprovoked and premeditated war against Ukraine, during bilateral consultations at the State Department in Washington, D.C., and at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, Secretary General at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the presence of U.S. Ambassador to Austria Victoria Reggie Kennedy, issued a Joint Statement on the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and Austria, setting forth a strategic partnership between the two countries and a plan to continue the dialogue.
March 8, 2022
UN General Assembly: 141 States Condemn Russian Aggression and Rights Violations against Ukraine
By a large majority, the UN General Assembly has condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine. 141 states voted in favor of a resolution to this effect and demanded Russia's withdrawal from the country. Austria was represented by its UN Ambassador.
March 2, 2022
Belarusian Dictator Lukashenko May Rule Until 2035
Almost unnoticed in the background of the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has had expanded power confirmed in a referendum. The constitutional amendment is intended to allow him additional terms in office and guarantee him lifelong immunity from prosecution after a possible retirement from politics.
March 1, 2022
Ukrainian President to Austria's Chancellor: "Don't know how long Ukraine will exist"
The situation in Ukraine is highly dramatic, Austria's Chancellor Nehammer reported from a telephone conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The latter had requested to stand by his country, which was under attack by Russia.
February 25, 2022
Federal President: "Blatant violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity"
Austria's Federal President Van der Bellen condemns Putin's recognition of the eastern Ukrainian separatist areas of Luhansk and Donetsk and his order to invade eastern Ukraine.
February 22, 2022
Austrian Foreign Minister on Ukraine: "As a neutral state, we are still not neutral when it comes to violence"
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg is visiting Ukraine together with his Czech counterpart Jan Lipavský and his Slovakian counterpart Ivan Korčok.
February 7, 2022
Belarus Celebrates 30-Year Anniversary at OSCE While Number of Political Prisoners at Home Has Now Reached 1000
As the Republic of Belarus celebrates its 30th anniversary at the OSCE in Vienna, the number of political prisoners in Belarus has now reached 1000. Although Belarus claims to be a long-standing, active, and committed member, the European Commission's External Action Service notes that Belarus "must adhere to its international commitments and obligations within the OSCE". Meanwhile, it became known that a troop deployment of 30,000 Russian soldiers to Belarus has also taken place.
February 4, 2022
Van der Bellen: New Year's Address to the Diplomatic Corps in Vienna
President Van der Bellen delivered his New Year's address to the Diplomatic Corps in Vienna. He talked about the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. Read what the president said and watch his speech.
January 24, 2022
Austria's Position on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain high as Russia still has thousands of troops stationed on the Ukrainian border. Read Austria's position on the issue.
January 22, 2022
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović Meets with Schallenberg
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović recently met with Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Vienna. Read about their discussion of various human rights issues.
December 20, 2021
Nehammer on First Trip to Brussels as Chancellor: "I'm an Ardent European"
Chancellor Nehammer made his first trip to Brussels for the European Council and the EU Eastern Partnership Summit. There he met with the other heads of state and government of the EU member states, as well as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Read what Nehammer discussed on the trip.
December 16, 2021
Priorities of Austrian Foreign Policy in the Face of Numerous Global Challenges in 2022
The Foreign Policy Committee of the Austrian National Council recently met to discuss some of the major global challenges going into 2022. Read which issues they discussed and Austria's stance on them.
December 15, 2021
Towards a Powerful European Security and Defense Policy to Counter Authoritarian Regimes
"We are in a systemic rivalry with authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China and must make every effort to defend the international rules-based order. It is a matter of protecting the principles of international law, human rights and the international peace order." Against the backdrop of events in Afghanistan, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen argues for the expansion of Europe's military competencies.
December 8, 2021
Blinken Thanks Austria for Hosting Iran Nuclear Deal Talks
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked Austria for hosting the Iran nuclear deal talks on his first call with his Austrian counterpart, Foreign Minister Linhart. Read about this and what else Blinken and Linhart talked about on their first call.
December 1, 2021
Meet Leslie Hayden the Acting Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna
The Acting Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna is currently Leslie Hayden. Ms. Hayden has had a distinguished career as a member of the foreign service. Learn more about her and her impressive accomplishments.
November 25, 2021
High-level Belarus Conference in Vienna
Chancellor Schallenberg participated in a video conference to discuss the situation in Belarus and the worsening humanitarian crisis at the EU's external border with numerous representatives from other EU member states and Belarusian opposition politicians. Read what was discussed at the meeting and watch a joint press conference with Schallenberg and Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.
November 23, 2021
Austria Welcomes New Sanctions Against Belarus
Foreign Minister Linhart attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, at which the 27 foreign ministers of the EU agreed upon new sanctions against Belarus. They also discussed other topics, such as the EU enlargement process. Read what was discussed at the meeting and watch an interview with the Austrian foreign minister.
November 16, 2021
Vienna Hosts "Central 5" Foreign Ministers
The foreign ministers of Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Austria, which make up the informal "Central 5" (C5) forum, recently met at the Albertina in Vienna. Read about the meeting, what Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Linhart said, and watch the full joint press conference.
October 26, 2021
Austria's Strategy for the Upcoming European Council Meeting
Ahead of the European Council meeting in Brussels, Austrian Chancellor Schallenberg, EU Minister Edtstadler, and members of parliament laid out Austria's strategy for the meeting. Read their stances on the key issues they plan to raise in Brussels.
October 22, 2021
Foreign Minister Linhart's Inaugural Visit to the EU Foreign Affairs Council
Foreign Minister Linhart recently traveled to Luxembourg for his first meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. In a meeting with the other foreign ministers from the EU, they discussed various issues, including the EU's Eastern Partnership and the war in Ethiopia. Linhart also met with Libyan Foreign Minister Najla El Mangoush during his visit. Read about Linhart's trip and what was discussed in the meetings, and watch Linhart's interview outside the event.
October 19, 2021
Minister for European Affairs: The Fight against Migration as a Means of Pressure on the EU
Austrian Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler embarked on a multi-country trip to Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, and Romania. The central topic of discussion is the increasing migratory pressure on the EU’s external borders, especially from Afghanistan and Belarus. Minister Edtstadler emphasized the need for border security at the EU's external borders and for targeted sanctions on Alexander Lukashenko's regime.
September 15, 2021
Lithuania and Austria Support New Sanctions against Belarus
Lithuania and Austria have indicated that they are in favor of putting new sanctions on Belarus in response to the significant increase in illegal border crossings on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis and Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė hosted their Austrian counterparts Alexander Schallenberg and Karl Nehammer at the border to discuss the ongoing situation.
August 26, 2021
Lavrov in Vienna: Tensions Following the Establishment of the Crimea Platform
In the first official bilateral visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Vienna since 2009, Sergey Lavrov met with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. The working talks included tense issues like the annexation of Crimea, human rights in Russia, Afghanistan, and the refugees on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. However, they all expressed interest in continued dialogue and finding areas for cooperation between Austria, the EU, and Russia.
August 26, 2021
Arrest of Austrian Journalist Deepens Austria’s Condemnation of Belarus
On the same day that Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg released a statement condemning Belarusian President Lukashenko and recent developments in Belarus, an ORF Journalist and a cameraman were arrested in Minsk. This arrest drew further condemnation from the Austrian Foreign Ministry.
August 12, 2021
Swedish Foreign Minister Meets with Schallenberg in Vienna
The Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde came to Vienna to meet her Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg and visit the Vienna headquarters of the OSCE. Read more about her trip below.
June 30, 2021
Putin in Exchange with Austrian News Agency: "I Want to Present Myself as a Hospitable Host"
Russian President Vladimir Putin answered APA CEO, Dr. Clemens Pig's questions about Austria-Russia relations, Belarus, freedom of movement, and freedom of information at the 24th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
June 29, 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
Schallenberg and EU Foreign Ministers Agree on Sanctions Against Belarus
At the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) the EU Foreign Ministers have agreed upon renewed and tightened sanctions against the Belarusian regime. Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg warns that the agreed measures must not hit the civil society. Read more below.
June 22, 2021
Lithuanian Prime Minister in Vienna: "Situation in Belarus Unacceptable"
In her visit to Vienna, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė demands the immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus. Austria's Chancellor Kurz and Šimonytė share very similar concerns regarding Belarus. Read more below.
June 14, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Belarus Faces Harsh Criticism
After the forced landing of a passenger plan and the arrest of an anti-government blogger, the international community, among them a number of Austrian politicians, demand strong sanctions for the authoritarian regime. Find out more about this week's developments.
June 4, 2021
Tikhanovskaya and Kurz: Targeted Sanctions for Belarus Needed
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, Belarusian opposition leader, and Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz held a video conference to discuss the current developments in Belarus. Read more about possible sanctions below.
June 2, 2021
EU Foreign Ministers Condemn Belarusian "Air Piracy"
At the informal meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Portugal, Austria's Alexander Schallenberg and his European counterparts condemned the actions took by the Belarusian regime to arrest an anti-government blogger.
May 31, 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
Liberation of Concentration Camp: International Diplomatic Delegation Commemorates Anniversary
Due to COVID-19 restriction a limited delegation of political and diplomatic representatives gathered on Sunday in the Mauthausen Concentration Camp for the traditional commemoration of the 76th anniversary of its liberation while honoring the memory of the dead.
May 17, 2021 · Updated: May 17, 2021; 19:44
U.S. Special Envoy Kerry Discusses Climate Change with Schallenberg and European Foreign Ministers
John Kerry, U.S. President's Special Envoy for Climate, and the European Foreign Ministers, among them Austria's Alexander Schallenberg, met virtually to discuss international cooperation with regard to climate change. What they agreed on and what other topics the Foreign Affairs Council addressed? Read below!
May 12, 2021
Embassies in Vienna Celebrate End of World War II
76 years ago on May 8, World War II ended in Europe. Despite Covid restrictions, selected Viennese embassies held commemorative events.
May 9, 2021
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