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Great Success for Austria in the Marie Skłodowska Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship Call 2022

Austrian institutions participated in this call for proposals with 150 project applications in a coordinating role and were able to win at least 37 of these projects in an extremely competitive selection process. This makes the Austrian success rate the highest of all EU member states.
February 28, 2023


Representation of the European Commission in Vienna Organized Event “Solidarity and Justice for Ukraine”

The European Commission organized the event "Solidarity and Justice for Ukraine" at the House of the EU in Vienna on the anniversary of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. It was attended by a large number of diplomatic, academic and political participants, who reaffirmed support for Ukraine at all levels and discussed ways to punish Russian atrocities.
February 27, 2023


Diplomats in Vienna Express Solidarity with Ukraine

The various and numerous embassies as well as foreign missions in Vienna expressed their solidarity with war-torn Ukraine on the anniversary of the Russian invasion. Especially the embassies that condemn Russia for the war, demand that Russia finally withdraws its troops from Ukraine.
February 27, 2023


Austrian Security Policy Handbook Presented in Japan

To increase knowledge of the European Union's Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) and thus lay the groundwork for cooperation, the Austrian Common Security and Defense Policy Handbook was translated into several Asian languages. This handbook has now been presented in Japan.
February 15, 2023


EU Is Planning the Withdrawal From the Energy Charter Treaty

The European Union wants to exit from the Energy Charter Treaty since the contract is not compatible with the energy transition. Austria is examining its exit from the treaty since November.
February 9, 2023


Chancellor Nehammer Emphasizes Migration Subject in the EU

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer at the EU summit has called for more financing for EU border protection. He also called for more control on irregular migration at EU level.
February 9, 2023


EU Extends Sanctions Against Russia

The European Union is extending its economic sanctions against the Russian Federation for the aggression in Ukraine. The sanctions will be extended for a half year now.
January 29, 2023


EU Grants Austria Subsidies Which Amounts 100 Mio. Euros.

The European Commission will grant Austria 100 million Euros as a measure for the reduction of power consumption approved under the framework for state aid in crises.
January 19, 2023


Symbolic Act of Handover in St. Stephen's Cathedral on the Occasion of the Swedish EU Presidency

Sweden's next year's Presidency of the Council of the European Union was acclaimed by the Swedish Embassy with a unique event at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. On the occasion of the traditional Swedish Festival of Lights, St. Stephen's Cathedral hosted a concert featuring a Lucia procession to symbolize the transfer of the EU presidency.
December 13, 2022


EU Criticizes Austria's Energy Measures as "Not Goal-Oriented"

In the opinion of the EU Commission, Austria's aid measures against high energy prices are "not goal-oriented" enough. The EU authority said today that the federal government had quickly adopted energy policy measures.
November 22, 2022


EU Capitals Make Important Contribution to EU Climate Targets

The 11th Annual Dialogue of EU Capitals with the European Commission took place recently. A representative of the City of Vienna was also present. Read on to find out what goals and issues the EU capitals are currently facing.
September 30, 2022


European Cooperation with Austria's Educational Institutions

During an Erasmus+ networking meeting, the new European digital hub "European School Education Platform" was presented at a gala event. Furthermore, the European Innovative Teaching Awards (EITA) were awarded to three Austrian schools.
September 25, 2022


Austria Becomes Member of Methane Reduction Coalition

Austria joins the international initiative to reduce methane emissions founded a year ago. The goal of the now more than 100 countries is to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030 compared to 2020.
September 22, 2022
New EU Gas Emergency Plan: "Must Prepare for the Worst Case"

Recently, the European Commission presented its new EU Gas Emergency Plan under the title "Save gas for a safe winter". In this, the European Commission assumes that consumers can save up to 15% gas. The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber is pleased with the Commission's plans.
July 22, 2022


Austria Supports Joint Statement for Ukraine's Case Against Russia Before the International Court of Justice

The European Union, Austria, and over 40 other nations have issued a statement supporting Ukraine's case before the International Court of Justice against Russia. In order to hold Russia accountable for its violations of international law, the Joint Statement has been released.
July 15, 2022


Weekly Briefing: Newest Developments in Diplomacy and Vienna

Read about the latest developments in diplomacy in Vienna and Austria. The Georgian Prime Minister visited Austria and Vienna enables Ukrainian displaced persons to graduate from Ukrainian high school. In addition, Austria's Chancellor visited Israel and concluded an important agreement there. Furthermore, expats in Austria appreciate the high quality of life, but do not feel welcome. Read more about this week's developments.
July 14, 2022


Austrian Success Project to be Implemented at European Level

A successful project from Austria, which is intended to build a communicative "bridge" between the people at the local level and the institutions at the European level through EU representatives in municipalities, will in future be implemented at the European level and extended to all EU Member States.
July 12, 2022



Why Germany and Austria Are More Dependent on China for Strategic Raw Materials than on Russian Gas


China has established global dominance over many of the strategic raw materials needed to be competitive in the economy of the future. Read how Austria, Germany, and others have arguably become more dependent on these materials from China than on Russian gas.
July 5, 2022

New EU Roaming Rules: What you Need to Know When Making Calls Abroad
From 1 July, new roaming regulations will come into force in the EU. These are designed to make it easier for EU citizens to use mobile data and make calls from abroad to home. Launched in 2017, the project is now being extended for another 10 years and is expected to bring significant benefits for businesses and EU citizens.
June 30, 2022


Austria Sees Potential EU Accession Status as a Historic Opportunity

Austria sees the EU Commission's proposal to grant Ukraine and Moldova the status of EU accession candidates as a historic opportunity as a clear signal of the EU's strength. Nevertheless, Austria also has a responsibility towards the Western Balkans and should not ignore them. Read on if you want to learn more.
June 21, 2022


Commission Vice-President Timmermans Visits Vienna: Cities as Engine for European "Green Deal"

Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Climate Action Frans Timmermans met Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig at a working meeting in Vienna today. The main topic of discussion was the importance of cities in the implementation of the European Green Deal and what measures Vienna is taking to achieve CO2 neutrality.
June 14, 2022


The European Union's Space Strategy for Security and Defence

Space and space infrastructure is becoming increasingly important to nations in space. The European Union also has its space defense strategy. Learn more about Europe's efforts in Space defense.
May 24, 2022

EU Supports Ukraine With Substantial Financial Aid
The second tranche of the EU macro-financial assistance to Ukraine has just been disbursed. The total of €600 million is intended to help cover the acute financing gaps in Ukraine, which is suffering severely from the consequences of the Russian war of aggression. The assistance is intended to improve Ukraine's macroeconomic stability and help keep state agencies functioning during this critical period.
May 20, 2022

How China's Global Infrastructure Strategy Undermines European Integration in the Western Balkans and Beyond
The accession of the Western Balkans countries into the European Union continues to be a topic of debate amongst the EU Member States. Read how China's global infrastructure strategy may be undermining these countries' aspirations for EU membership.
May 19, 2022

Ukraine Seeks Austrian Support for EU Membership
A Ukrainian delegation is currently in Austria to seek supporters for their country's EU accession. After Ukraine officially submitted its ambitions to the European Union, a recommendation from the European Commission is now eagerly awaited to determine whether Ukraine should be granted candidate status. Read on to find out more.
May 18, 2022

Europe Day 2022: A Day in the Spirit of a United Continent
Today, 9 May, Europe Day is celebrated all over Europe. Many events are held to celebrate peace and cohesion in Europe. Alexander Van der Bellen also gave a speech in the House of the European Union and underlined the importance of European unity and condemned the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, which is particularly dependent on the help of its European allies in such difficult times.
May 9, 2022


Protection of the European Single Market: European Commission Wants to Control Third-Country Subsidies

The European Commission has presented a new proposal to combat competition-distorting subsidies from third countries. The background for the proposal is the increasing global imbalance between companies from the EU and those from third countries. This is primarily to counter the influence of China and Chinese companies in Europe.
May 5, 2022

How Austrians Rate EU Membership
The European Commission and the Austrian Society for European Politics have sounded out the mood across Austria in the course of their EU Future Tour.
May 4, 2022


Hungarian-Austrian Relations: National Council Presidents Köver and Sobotka Led Virtual Meeting

Hungarian National Council President László Kövér and his counterpart Wolfgang Sobotka recently held a virtual meeting to discuss current issues. The main topic, as in so many meetings these days, was the war in Ukraine and its impact on Europe. If you want to know what else was discussed, read on!
April 29, 2022


How the European Union Is Providing Humanitarian Help to Ukraine

In Ukraine, the war has been raging for about two months now. The situation for people in Ukraine is miserable and the constant fighting makes normal life impossible. The European Union also provides humanitarian support to Ukraine. Read more about the EU's humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
April 28, 2022


EU Subcommittee of the Austrian Parliament Discussed on Future EU Economic Policies

The EU Subcommittee of the Austrian Parliament discussed future EU economic policy. The topics of artificial intelligence, digitalization, EU trade policy, the update of the EU industrial strategy of 2020 and the modernization of competition law.
April 20, 2022


EU Commissioner For Energy in Vienna

The Russian invasion of Ukraine shook global energy markets. The EU Energy Commissioner is in Vienna on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the EU's energy outreach in the context of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.
April 11, 2022


International Romani Day: Raising Awareness Against a Special Form of Racism

Today is the International Roma Day. This population group has been persecuted for centuries. Today's day is intended in particular to draw attention to the discrimination and persecution of Roma and at the same time to celebrate the culture of this ethnic minority. The European Union debated yesterday as a sign of today's day of action about the marginalization of Romani people.
April 8, 2022


Russo-Ukrainian War - EU Adopts Fifth Sanctions Package to Put Pressure on Russia

Recently, new sanctions against the Russian state were published. The EU is trying to put economic pressure on the Kremlin and cut off the sources of financing for the invasion of Ukraine. What new measures are taken, you can read here.
April 8, 2022

NATO and EU Military Committee Meet Regarding Western Balkans
A joint meeting of the NATO Military Committee and the European Union Military Committee was held to discuss the current security situation in the Western Balkans as well as the EU's ongoing Operation Althea. In the context of the Russian military aggression on Ukraine, stability in the Balkans increases in importance.
March 29, 2022


Austria for a Strategic Orientation of the EU Towards a Common Army and Away from Coal, Oil and Gas

The Russian attack on Ukraine shook Europe and opened many new and old political questions in the European Union and Austria.
March 24, 2022


The Formation of an Anti-Trafficking Alliance in the Framework of the Joint Coordination Platform

Interior Minister Karner recently hosted the Return Ministerial Conference in Vienna to discuss European migration issues. Read about the conference and the formation of an Anti-trafficking alliance.
February 22, 2022

Austria's Reaction to Putin's Disrespect for the Territorial Integrity and Sovereignty of Eastern Ukraine
Following President Putin's decision to recognize the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk in the Donbas region of Ukraine and to send "peacekeeping troops" to these areas, the Austrian government's Crisis Cabinet met to discuss how to respond. Read what Chancellor Nehammer said about the act of Russian aggression and what Austria will do.
February 22, 2022


Schallenberg Met Baerbock - Shared Responsibility Against the Aggression of the Kremlin

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met with Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Berlin to discuss the tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as climate action and the Western Balkans. Read what the two foreign ministers said about these issues.
February 21, 2022


Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Austria Dispatches Crisis Team

The Kremlin apparently wants to justify further aggression with provocations in eastern Ukraine. Due to the escalating situation in eastern Ukraine, Austria has sent a crisis team to Ukraine. In addition to specialists from the Cobra task force, the team also includes experts from the foreign and defense ministries.
February 20, 2022


After the African Union Summit: Austria Provides €5 Million in Total to Alleviate Migration Pressure

Following the 6th European Union - African Union Summit, Austria announced that it would provide € 5 million in humanitarian aid to Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Tunisia. Read about Austria's efforts to alleviate some of the migration pressure caused by conflicts in Africa.
February 18, 2022

Russia Sustains Conflict in Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics in Eastern Ukraine
Russian-backed separatists reportedly began shelling an area near the "contact line" in Eastern Ukraine. Read about the recent incident and why Chancellor Nehammer and EU High Representative Josep Borrell are "very worried."
February 18, 2022



Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Neutral Switzerland and Austria Back De-escalation


Swiss President Ignazio Cassis and Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer discussed the Ukraine crisis at a meeting in Zofingen, Switzerland. Read what they said about the ongoing conflict.
February 17, 2022


Austria to Poland: "No compromise on the rule of law"

EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler made Austria's position on the rule of law dispute between the EU and Poland very clear in a meeting with her Polish counterpart. Read what Edtstadler said about Austria's support for the rule of law in the EU.
February 17, 2022


Economics Minister Schramböck Calls EU Chips Act "An opportunity for Europe"

The European Commission has unveiled its draft for the European Chips Act. Read about the Chips Act and why Economics Minister Schramböck called it "an opportunity for Europe."
February 8, 2022


Iran Nuclear Talks: Negotiations in Vienna Continue

The 8th round of negotiations in the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) will resume.
February 7, 2022


IAEA to Assess Safety of Japan Dumping Fukushima's Radioactive Cooling Water into Sea

A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will go to Japan to conduct a review of the safety of the Japanese government's decision to dump radioactive cooling water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean. Read about the review and who opposes Japan's decision.
February 7, 2022


Austria Promises Legal Action After EU Commission's Nuclear Energy Decision

Austria has vowed to take legal action against the European Commission after it decided to include nuclear energy and natural gas as sustainable investments under the EU Taxonomy Regulation. Read what the Austrian president, chancellor, and climate minister said about this decision.
February 3, 2022


German and Austrian EU Ministers Supportive of Accession Process for Western Balkans

German EU Minister Anna Lührmann met with Austrian EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler in Vienna. Read what they said about EU accession for the Western Balkan states, compulsory vaccination, and more.
February 1, 2022


Which Migration Issues to Watch for in 2022

2022 will be another challenging year for EU migration policy. The Vienna based International Centre for Migration Policy Development presents a brief analysis of migration and policy trends and provides an outlook on developments and events to watch out.
January 31, 2022