EU Accession

Spanish Foreign Minister Visits Schallenberg

The Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya and Austria's Alexander Schallenberg met in Vienna to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic, relations with the EU neighborhood as well as EU enlargement in the Western Balkans. Both countries support the European Commission's suggestion of a "Green Passport" for vaccinated Europeans.

March 15, 2021

Czech, Slovakian, Portuguese, and Austrian Foreign Minister Demand EU Accession of Western Balkans

In a meeting of the Slavkov Trio, namely Foreign Minister from Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria, and the Portuguese Foreign Minister, EU accession of the Western Balkans were discussed. Additionally, Portugal is currently heading the EU Council and the Portuguese Foreign Minister was therefore able to inform the three others about current issues.

March 10, 2021

Schallenberg at Central 5 Meeting in Slovenia

The Foreign Minister from Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria met in Brdo, Slovenia, to discuss the continuous cooperation in the Covid-19 pandemic, the he upcoming Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2021, and EU accession of the Western Balkan states.

March 2, 2021

Vondráček, Kollár and Sobotka Discuss Covid-19 Measures

The head of parliaments from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria met virtually to discuss the current Covid-19 situations in the respective countries. Vondráček, Kollár and Sobotka agreed on good communication between the countries regarding border controls, but also talked about the EU accession process of the Western Balkan states.

February 22, 2021

Finnish Speaker of Parliament Met Sobotka

Anu Vehviläinen, the Finnish Speaker of Parliament since June 2020, and Wolfgang Sobotka, Austria's National Council President, met for the first time and discussed current issues, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, security of parliaments, the IPU World Conference and the accession negotiations with the Western Balkans.

February 9, 2021

Slovenia's Foreign Minister and State Secretary Met Edtstadler

Slovenia's Foreign Minister Anže Logar and State Secretary Gasper Dovžan met with Austria's Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler in Ljubljana to discuss about a possible European vaccination certificate, EU enlargement and about the future of the European Union.

February 8, 2021

President of European Parliament and Sobotka Exchanged Views

David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, and Wolfgang Sobotka, Austria's National Council President, met virtually to discuss the current situation regarding the Covid-19 vaccines. The agenda of the meeting also comprised discussions about an EU-wide Holocaust commemoration and the future of the EU.

February 1, 2021

EU Future Conference: Edtstadler Demands Action

At an an informal video conference of the EU's Ministers for European Affairs, Austria's responsible Minister, Karoline Edtstadler, once again demanded an early start of the EU Future Conference. Although the Covid-19 pandemic might have shown some strengths and weaknesses of the current EU, Edtstadler demands a clear path into the future of the Union.

January 25, 2021

North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Visited Schallenberg

North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Osmani visited Vienna and met his Austrian counterpart Schallenberg to discuss the ongoing EU accession process of his country and the Covid-19 pandemic. Both parties are eager to start negotiations about the accession as soon as possible.

December 21, 2020

Portuguese Foreign Minister Met Schallenberg

Portuguese Foreign Minister Santos Silva welcomed his Austrian counterpart Schallenberg for a working meeting in Portugal's capital Lisboa. The two ministers met prior to Portugal's upcoming EU Presidency to discuss the key issues that will be addressed during that time. These include the transatlantic relations as well as relations with the African continent, accession negotiations with Western Balkan countries and the social and economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

December 14, 2020 · Updated: December 21, 2020; 10:55

Sobotka Supports North Macedonia's Path to EU

Talat Xhaferi, President of the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia, met virtually with his Austrian counterpart Wolfgang Sobotka to discuss the accession negotiation of North Macedonia with the EU, the terrorist attack in Vienna and the developments of the Covid-19 pandemic in both countries.

December 2, 2020 · Updated: December 21, 2020; 10:55

Czech President of the Parliament Met Sobotka

The Czech and Austrian Presidents of the Parliaments, Vondráček and Sobotka, met virtually to discuss the experiences of the pandemic and EU topics, such as the accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, the EU's financial framework and the EU budget negotiations.

December 1, 2020 · Updated: December 21, 2020; 10:55

Dutch Foreign Minister in Vienna

The Dutch Foreign Minister Blok visits his Austrian counterpart Schallenberg to discuss EU's foreign and security policy, the fight against terrorism, and other current foreign relations issues. The Dutch politician also offered his condolences after the terror attack in Vienna,

November 5, 2020

Edtstadler Welcomes Progress in Accession Process of Western Balkan States

The European Commission has agreed on a financial package for economic integration of the Western Balkan states. The good developments in North Macedonia and Albania are not only welcomed by the European Union but also by Federal Minister Edtstadler.

October 8, 2020

Foreign Ministers of Central Five Meet in Slovenia

The heads of diplomacy of Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria conducted a working meeting with the topics being the fight against a possible second wave of rising Covid-19 cases and other foreign affairs issues.

September 16, 2020

Hungary Recognizes Sobotka for Development of Bilateral Relations

The Hungarian government has awarded Austria's President of the National Council Sobotka the Commander's Cross for his efforts to further bilateral relations between the two countries and to promote the perception of Hungary's position in the EU.

September 3, 2020

Edtstadler: Six New EU Member Countries in the Next Decade

Hungarian Minister Varga and Austria's Minister for the EU Edtstadler took part in a discussion at the European Forum Alpbach that dealt with the presence and future of the European Union. Edtstadler is optimistic that the EU will grow by six member states in the next 10 years.

September 1, 2020

Schallenberg: "The EU Has Reached a Turning Point in the Relations With Turkey"

Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg explains the current relationship between the European Union and Turkey. The recent developments in the easter Mediterranean are testing the relation once again.

September 1, 2020

National Council President Sobotka Met Slovak and Czech Counterparts, Kollár and Vondráček

Austria's National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka invited his Slovak and Czech counterparts, Boris Kollár and Radek Vondráček, to discuss the cooperation between the three neighboring countries and other political issues.

August 31, 2020

Turkey: Schallenberg Calls for an End to EU Candidate Status

The meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg focused on the Turkish military offensive in Northern Syria. In the run-up to the meeting, Foreign Minister Schallenberg emphasised that the military action was "simply wrong" and that it was now the EU's turn to take clear decisions.

October 16, 2019

Alignment of the Western Balkans with the EU: Slovenian Parliament President Met Sobotka

The President of the Slovenian Parliament Dejan Židan and the President of the Austrian National Council Wolfgang Sobotka met on the sidelines of the Salzburg Festival to discuss the rapprochement of the Western Balkans to the EU and the EU after the elections to the European Parliament.

August 20, 2019

Fischer: Room for Further Trade with Albania

Austrian President Heinz Fischer was paying a visit to Western Balkan States.

May 22, 2014

Vranitzky: Joining EU One of the Most Courageous Steps

A symposium showed the EU Accession process of Austria in the early 1990’s in a new light.

May 6, 2014

New Serbian Government Wants Speedy EU Accession

The new Serbian government is determined to accelerate the EU accession progress.

May 2, 2014

Majority of Czech Entrepreneurs Want Euro

According to a survey, more than three quarters of Czech entrepreneurs are in favor of the country adopting the Euro.

April 30, 2014

Serbia: EU Negotiations Important for Reforms

According to Tanja Miscevic, chief negotiator in Serbia’s EU accession talks, the opening of the Chapters 23 and 24 are crucial for the reform process in the Western Balkan country.

April 22, 2014

Serbia’s Goal to Join EU until 2020 “Realistic”

According to former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Serbia’s aim to become a member of the European Union until 2020 is realistic.

April 11, 2014

Moldova: Urgent Call for EU-Membership

Getting out of the zone of uncertainty and instability, this is the aim of the Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca.

April 10, 2014

Nikolic: “Russia Will Never Recognize Kosovo”

In an interview with Austrian daily “Presse”, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic voiced his opinon on the political crisis on Crimea and the future about talks between Serbia and Kosovo.

April 8, 2014

More than Half of Serbians Aspire EU Membership

55 percent of the Serbian citizens are in favor of the country becoming an EU member.

April 4, 2014

Serbia: New Government to Hold EU Accession Talks Regularly

The next government of Serbia will hold sessions with regard to the EU accesssion on a regular basis, as announced by Miscevic, chief EU negotiator of Serbia.

April 3, 2014

Ten Years After The 2004 EU Enlargement: Achievements and Next Steps

International Conference, Vienna, 24-25 April 2014

March 31, 2014

Serbia: Little Faith in Judiciary

The majority of the Serbian population does not trust state institutions, particularly the judiciary.

March 27, 2014

Serbia to Continue Path towards EU

Even after the elections the new government intends to continue the path towards an EU membership.

March 13, 2014

Serbia: Economic Changes Urgently Needed

Economic Forum highlights need for reforms.

March 5, 2014

Serbia: Dacic Unsure of Future Government

Outgoing Prime Minister and leader of the Serbian Social Party (SPS) Ivica Dacic is unsure about how the new government will be formed.

March 4, 2014

“Serbia Has to Become Economically and Politically Stable”

Prime Minister Dacic promised to continue to follow the path to an EU membership. Former Austrian Chancellor Gusenbauer underlines Serbia’s importance among Western Balkan states.

March 3, 2014

Leaders from Western Balkans Meeting at EBRD

Prime Ministers from the Western Balkans are gathering to discuss economic cooperations.

February 25, 2014

Serbia: Full EU Member by 2020?

Aleksandar Vucic, Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, said on Thursday evening that the country had full political stability and announced that the country’s aim is to become an EU member in 2020.

February 22, 2014

Serbia: Fast Implementations of Reforms Crucial

Tanja Miscevic, chief negotiator in the EU accession talks, announced on Sunday that elections in Serbia are not slowing down the process in European integration.

February 17, 2014

Kurz: “We Want Serbia to Join EU ASAP”

According to the Austrian Foreign Minister, the prospect of an EU membership could help accelerate the implementation of reforms.

February 14, 2014

Serbia: FDI of Great Importance for Economy

According to Deputy Prime Minister Vucic, the country’s biggest problem was the rate debt rate and fiscal deficit.

February 14, 2014

Croatia Supports Albania in EU Accession Course

Albania hopes that EU Accession Negotiations will take place in June 2014.

January 22, 2014

Serbia: "Kosovo Part of Whole Package"

Serbia hopes to join the union until the year 2020. The solving of the issue with Kosovo remains a key condition. Austrian Foreign Minister Kurz stresses the importance of the region becoming a part of the European Union.

January 21, 2014

Serbia to Receive Pre-Accession Assistance from EU

Today the European Commission adopted the 2013 national programme for Serbia under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA).

December 23, 2013

Serbia: EU Accession Talks in January Fixed

Prime Minister Dacic considers results as “historic event” for Serbia.

December 18, 2013

Ukraine Leaves Path Towards EU

After the Association Agreement between the Ukraine and the European Union failed head of state Mykola Asarov stated economic reasons for the abrupt stop.

November 22, 2013

Serbia: FDI as Driver for Economy

Further decline in FDI could affect economic growth in the Western Balkan state. The Serbian government announced to push forward with amendmends to improve business environment and boost economic growth.

November 4, 2013

Lopatka: EU Enlargement Process of Western Balkans Decisive for Austria

“Non-Enlargement” of Western Balkan states would be fatal for Austrian businesses operating in the region and the national economy.

October 31, 2013

Serbia Wants to Become Full EU Member Asap

The Western Balkan is serious in building a relationship with the European Union.

October 23, 2013