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Latest Travel Restrictions Between the United Kindom and Austria

There are still travel warnings regarding travel between the United Kingdom and Austria due to the spread of COVID-19 variants. Germany and some other EU countries are loosening restrictions on vaccinated Britons, but travelers should still expect to quarantine when traveling from Austria to the UK. Learn more about the latest travel restrictions between the two countries.

July 12, 2021

Schallenberg at Anti-IS Coalition Meeting: "No Country is Left Out as a Gallic Village"

At the Global Anti-IS (Anti-Daesh) Coalition Meeting in Rome, Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg and his European and global counterparts discussed how to best combat the current threats of Islamist terrorists.

June 29, 2021

On Behalf of EU: Lithuanian, Romanian and Austrian Foreign Ministers Travel to South Caucasus

The Foreign Ministers from Lithuania, Romania and Austria have visited the South Caucasus countries Azerbaija, Armenia and Georgia on behalf of EU External Relations Commissioner Josep Borrell. Read everything about the details of the trip below.

June 28, 2021

EU Holds First Accession Conference with Serbia and Montenegro

At the General Affairs Council, which precedes the grand European Council, Austrian Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler has once again spoken out in favor of including Serbia and Montenegro in the EU. Other topics were the relations with Switzerland and the controversial Hungarian "anti-pedophile" law. Read more below.

June 23, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: Austrian Green Passport Fully Operational

The Austrian Green Passport is fully functioning and ready for the EU-wide solution in July. Now, the EU-compliant QR codes for proof of vaccination, testing or recovery can be accessed and showed when necessary.

June 21, 2021

EU Sets Stage for Green Passport

The European Union has agreed on the legislation of an EU wide COVID digital certificate. The certificate should facilitate travel within Europe and increase cross-border movement as of July 1. Read more below.

June 15, 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

EU Commission Takes Legal Action Against Austria

The European Commission has taken legal action against Austria and other Member States that fail to comply with EU law. In the case of Austria, several allegations have been put forward. Read more about them below.

June 11, 2021

Weekly Briefing: Is the Pandemic Really Over?

In a meeting with his Italian counterpart, Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen stated that the "pandemic as we have experienced it can be considered overcome." Is this the case? Find out more about this week's developments.

June 10, 2021

Steinmeier and Van der Bellen Demand European Cohesion

At a working meeting in Germany, Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier discuss European unity and bilateral cooperation with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more below.

June 7, 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

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

Covid-19 in Austria: Austrian Green Passport Soon Reality

The long awaited "Green Passport" is coming closer and closer. Austria's parliament has passed the necessary legal basis for the future proof of whether someone has been vaccinated, tested or has recovered.

May 27, 2021

EU Countries Agree on Green Passport by July, Austria Plans it for June

The EU countries and EU Parliament have agreed on an Europe-wide "Green Passport" by July 1, while Austria intends to have its Green Entry Pass ready by the beginning of June. Can the Austrian solution be implemented in the EU-wide certificate? Find out below!

May 21, 2021

Austrians Cannot Afford Own Home

Fewer and fewer Austrians can afford to own their own home. Compared to 70 percent of the European population owning its own home, only 55 percent of Austrians are able to. Read more about the results of a recent housing study below!

May 19, 2021

Berlin - Prague - Vienna: Plan of 4 Hour Rail Connection

Berlin to Prague to Vienna in four hours? A travel time that is now only possible via plane will become reality via a rail connection. A memorandum to this effect was signed by Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria.

May 19, 2021

Italy Opens Border for Austria

Italy has opened its border for Austria and many other EU countries. Only a few days before Austria eases its entry regulations, the Italian government has decided to set the stage for inner-European travel.

May 18, 2021

UK and Austria Work on Post-Brexit Agreements

During his visit to London, Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg met with his British counterpart Dominic Raab and with Brexit Minister David Frost. Both the United Kingdom and Austria have reiterated their commitment to bilateral cooperation.

May 18, 2021

European Commission Forecasts GDP Growth for Austria

In its spring forecast, the European Commission has issued GDP growth rates for all its member countries as well as for the EU as a whole and the euro area. Read more to find out the exact rates.

May 17, 2021

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

EU-Wide Minimum Wages: Kurz and Kocher Reluctant

Austria's Chancellor Kurz and Labor Minister Kocher took part at the EU social summit, which dealt with social injustice in all its facets. Among the possible measures to fight injustices, EU-wide minimum wages could be implemented, which would have an enormous impact on the economy.

May 11, 2021

How Austria Plans its Economic Recovery

The Austrian government has submitted its final plan for the European Reconstruction fund, in which projects for economic recovery are listed. These planned measures will receive funding of over EUR 3.5 billion by the EU. Find out what the areas of focus for the investments are.

May 5, 2021

Liechtenstein's Prime Minister Met Kurz and Blümel in Vienna

The new Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Daniel Risch, came to Vienna for a working meeting with Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Finance Minister Gernot Blümel. On the agenda of the talks was the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular the border management, and digital taxes.

April 30, 2021

Belarusian Opposition Leader Meets Van der Bellen, Kurz and Schallenberg

During her working visit to Vienna, the Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya met with Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in order to discuss the continued support from Austria for the efforts of the Belarusian opposition and civil society.

April 30, 2021

Austria Welcomes EU's Artificial Intelligence Framework

Austria's Minister for Digital Affairs, Margarete Schramböck, welcomes the new EU proposition of rules for artificial intelligence. Schramböck stresses the need for an EU-lead process and advocates for secure and innovative solutions that would "promote innovation while ensuring a high level of protection and security."

April 26, 2021

International Day of Multilateralism: Schallenberg Demands Multilateral Cooperation

On the occasion of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg advocates for increased cooperation and implementation of disarmament commitments. He emphasizes that "multilateralism is the basis for sustainable peace."

April 26, 2021

Edtstadler: "Raise Your Voice for the Future of Europe"

In preparation for the first ever Conference on the Future of Europe, the European Commission has launched a digital platform, on which European citizens can share their ideas on the future of Europe, organize events, participate in events, and network with other individuals and organizations. Austria will contribute by hosting a number of events and additionally provide information on a separate platform.

April 23, 2021

Schallenberg Offers Austrian Expertise for Conflicts Around Nile

At the virtual Council of the EU Foreign Ministers, Austria's Alexander Schallenberg and his colleagues discussed the current situations in Belarus and Ukraine as well as the conflicts in Myanmar and Ethiopia. With regard to the ongoing tensions in Tigray around the Nile, Schallenberg offered Austria's expertise with regard to joint management of rivers.

April 22, 2021

Austrian EU Commissioner Hahn Presents Funding for NextGenerationEU

The Austrian EU Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn has presented the "engine" of the NextGenerationEU economic recovery plan. NextGenerationEU will offer grants and loans to the member states with a total volume of EUR 800 billion by 2026. Austria will receive around EUR 3.5 billion.

April 21, 2021

EU and Austria Provide 650,000 Covid-19 Vaccines for Western Balkans

In a joint project, the European Commission and Austria more than half a million Covid-19 vaccines are provided to Western Balkan states, starting in May 2021. Both Commission President Von der Leyen and Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg stress the importance of having no "white spots on the vaccination map, wherever they may be."

April 21, 2021

Eurochambres President Leitl: Focus on Digital Skills, Education and Qualification

At a meeting with EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, the Austrian Eurochambres head, Christoph Leitl, and Austrian Chairwoman of the Eurochambres Women Network, Martha Schultz, demanded focus on digital skills, education and qualification of the EU education program Erasmus+ for European reconstruction.

April 21, 2021

Electromobility: Europe Lacks Progress, Austria Better Off

The European Court of Auditors gives Austria a good report on electromobility, while at the same time demanding more progress for the whole European continent. The lack of uniform Europe-wide minimum standards with regard to charging methods, as well as a non-existent overall roadmap for charging stations were the main points of the critic.

April 15, 2021

Covid-19: Austria Ranks Second for Aid Measures in EU

According to recent calculations published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Austria ranks second for Covid-19 aid measures among all EU Member States. Only Greece has spent a higher portion of its GDP (13.7%) for aid instruments, while Austria invested 11.7 percent to relieve its businesses and people.

April 12, 2021

International Romani Day: Austria Raises Awareness

On the occasion of the 50-year anniversary of the first meeting of the Romani Union, Austria's Parliament under the lead of National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka held a virtual event, which commemorated antiziganist acts in the past and highlighted the importance of inclusion and safeguarding the Romani population.

April 12, 2021

Raab Criticizes Turkey's Withdrawal from Istanbul Convention

Austria's Women's Affairs Minister Raab sharply criticized Turkey's withdrawal from Istanbul Convention at a high-level EU conference with other EU Ministers for Women's Affairs. According to Raab, "Turkey's decision disregards and endangers the lives of millions of women and girls."

April 8, 2021

Vienna Celebrates 25 Years of EU Funding

One year after Austria's accession to the EU in 1995, the first projects with the help of the European Union were established in Vienna. 25 years later, in 2021, Vienna looks back at the hundreds of projects, which improved various aspects of the city and were only possible due to the funding provided from the European Union.

April 8, 2021

Austria Continues Support for Syria

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has agreed on providing aid of more than EUR 18 million for Syria and Syrian refugees. On the occasion of the ten year anniversary of the crisis and the fifth Brussels Conference on "Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region", Schallenberg demands an end for the wait for peace in Syria.

March 31, 2021

Austria Joins European Financial Reporting Advisory Group

According to Austria's Finance Minister Gernot Blümel, Austria's accession to the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) strengthens Austria's interests at the international level and allows for a more active role in European and international standard setting in financial reporting.

March 29, 2021

Libya's Foreign Minister Holds Talk with Schallenberg

The Foreign Minister of Libya's transitional government, Najla El Mangoush, had a telephone conversation with Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg. In the talk, Libya's Foreign Minister expressed her optimism for the future developments in Libya, while Schallenberg assured her of the EU's continued support for the country.

March 26, 2021

EU Council: Kurz Demands Fairer Covid-19 Vaccine Distribution

At the recent EU Council, Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and the other EU heads of government discussed the Covid-19 vaccine supply and distribution with the European Union. Kurz once again emphasized the need for a fairer distribution among member countries and is full of hope that Austria will soon receive more doses.

March 26, 2021

Austrian Government Gives Starting Signal for "Horizon Europe"

The Austrian government has set its political, social and economic goals for the new EU’s research and innovation framework programme "Horizon Europe". Several ministers and experts have met in order to discuss Austrian expectations from the EU's new program, which will be running from 2021 until 2027.

March 25, 2021

Vienna Mayor Ludwig: "There is no Way Around Common European Path"

At the 9th annual dialogue of EU capitals with the European Commission, Vienna Mayor Ludwig and many other mayors from European cities emphasized the need for a consistent and common European path with regard to fighting the ongoing pandemic. Ludwig stands behind the "solidarity-based EU vaccination strategy."

March 23, 2021

Prime Ministers from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Latvia and Croatia Meet Kurz

In order to discuss the EU vaccine distribution, the Prime Ministers from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Latvia, Croatia met Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. The country representatives demand a correction mechanism, which would erase differences in the vaccination progress between member countries.

March 17, 2021

Covid-19: Austria Will Receive Additional EU Aid

Austria and 20 other EU member states or accession countries will be receiving financial aid to relief and to protect public health during the Covid-19 pandemic. The funding, which comes from the EU Solidarity Fund, comprises almost EU 32 million for Austria, which would be invested in medical equipment, emergency assistance, contact tracing and other pandemic-related obligations.

March 15, 2021

Edtstadler: Eurobarometer Confirms Need to "Actively Engage" EU Population

The EU Conference on the Future of Europe will be starting on May 9. The EU Council, European Parliament and European Commission have now signed a joint declaration, which sets the path for a series of citizen-led debates. Austria's Minister for European Affairs Edtstadler welcomes the step and sees it as a necessity to listen to the European population.

March 11, 2021

EU Commissioner Breton and Kurz Discuss Vaccine Production

In a meeting in Vienna, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, who is responsible for vaccine production, Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Minister for Economic Affairs Margarete Schramböck discussed the possibilities of Covid-19 vaccine production in the EU and talked about other issues evolving around the different Coronavirus vaccines.

March 9, 2021

Israel, Denmark and Austria Agree on Covid-19 Cooperation

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz agreed on establishing a joint research and development foundation as well as on vaccine production. Chancellor Kurz stressed the importance of global cooperation in the fight against Covid-19.

March 5, 2021

Swiss President Visits Austria

The new Swiss President Guy Parmelin conducted his first trip abroad to meet with Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka in Vienna. The politicians discussed the Covid-19 situation in Europe, the Swiss relations with the EU and bilateral cooperation between Switzerland and Austria.

March 4, 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

Austria's Fight Against Corruption is "Generally Unsatisfactory"

The Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) concludes that Austria's fight against corruption among members of parliament, judges and prosecutors is "generally unsatisfactory", since only two of 19 recommendations from 2017 have been implemented up to date.

March 2, 2021
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