EU European Union

Tensions Escalate in Nagorno-Karabakh: The International Community Calls for Immediate Action

The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the contested territory between Armenia and Azerbaijan, is once again on a knife's edge. Recent developments have escalated tensions, threatening regional stability and raising urgent humanitarian concerns. International organizations like the OSCE and UN are deeply concerned and have convened special meetings to address the issue.

September 21, 2023

EU-Mercosur Pact: Austria's Balancing Act between Trade Opportunities and Sustainability

The discussion about the free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries - Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay - is entering a new round. While some see the treaty as an opportunity to intensify trade between the two economic areas, others raise serious concerns about its impact on the environment and social standards.

September 19, 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 EU Representative Selmayr at Dispute Because Of "Blood Money" Statement

EU representative Martin Selmayr has called Austrian gas payments to Russia "blood money". Now reprimanded by Vienna and Brussels, EU Commission representative Martin Selmayr does not want to give up his job in Austria.

September 14, 2023

19th Salzburg Europe Summit 2023: "Europe: Setting out for New Horizons"

From September 24 to 26, 2023, the Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE) invites you to the 19th Salzburg Europe Summit at the Salzburg Congress. More than 700 participants from all over Europe are expected to discuss together the current challenges and opportunities of the continent.

September 12, 2023

OSCE Chairman Osmani and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Held a Critical Telephone Call About the OSCE

Since February 24, 2022, stress and depression have increased significantly in the OSCE. This is because the most important political decisions in the OSCE require the consent of all 57 governments. However, this consensus rule is blocked mainly by Russia, which severely limits the organization's ability to act. OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani, who is also the foreign minister of North Macedonia, had a critical telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

September 7, 2023

European Forum Alpbach 2023: A Turning Point for Europe's Future

The European Forum Alpbach (EFA) is entering a new round and is increasingly focusing on topics that will significantly shape Europe's role in the world. Under the motto "Bold Europe", decision-makers from business, politics, science, art, and culture are meeting in Tyrol to work together on solutions to pressing challenges.

August 30, 2023 · Updated: August 31, 2023; 09:37

Ukraine Secures Grain Export through Croatian Adriatic Ports

Ukraine has reached an agreement with Croatia to export grain through ports on the Adriatic Sea. The agricultural goods are to be shipped to Croatia via the Danube and from there they will be transported further to the Adriatic coast.

August 1, 2023

Austrian Minister of Social Affairs Travels to Moldova for Working Visit

In an official trip, the Austrian Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Johannes Rauch, visits the Republic of Moldova to negotiate bilaterally with Moldovan ministerial counterparts and representatives of WHO, EU, and NGOs.

July 26, 2023

"Wiener Gusto" in the Final for the EU Organic Awards 2023

Vienna is a proud finalist in this year's EU Organic Awards in the category "Best Organic City" thanks to its city-owned food brand "Wiener Gusto".

July 25, 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

Salzburg Summit: International Conference Brings Together Top Politicians, Scientists and Business Leaders

July 26, 2023, marks the start of the 4th Salzburg Summit, a high-profile international business and future conference that will take place on the fringes of the renowned Salzburg Festival. The event will be formally opened by EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn and the President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Georg Knill. In light of recent global challenges, including a war on European soil and the global COVID-19 pandemic, the summit is dedicated to the goal of a sustainable future for Europe amid uncertainty.

July 23, 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 on the Way to Innovation Leader in the European Innovation Scoreboard 2023

Austria has improved to sixth place in this year's European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) and is thus on the right track to becoming an innovation leader.

July 13, 2023

EU Commission Expresses Concerns About Austria's Judicial System

In its published rule of law report, the EU Commission expressed several concerns about Austria. In principle, the independence of the Austrian judicial system is highly regarded, the country-specific document states.

July 12, 2023

EU Skepticism in Austria Underpinned by Eurobarometer Survey

According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, Austrians continue to be among the biggest EU skeptics in Europe. Only 35 percent regard the EU as a whole as "positive," while the EU average is 45 percent. Just under a third of respondents in Austria are in favor of EU enlargement, while across Europe half are in favor.

July 10, 2023

Franco-Austrian Cooperation for Clean Water in Eastern Europe

France's Ambassador to Austria, Gilles Pécout, spearheaded a round table discussion in Vienna as part of the "EU4Environment-Water Resources and Environmental Data" program. This initiative, funded by the European Union, the Austrian Development Agency, and the Artois-Picardie Water Agency (France), aims to support Eastern Partnership countries in their journey towards European standards for water resources and environmental data management.

July 5, 2023

Vienna's Universities and the EU: Funding for "Circle U." and "ENGAGE.EU" Alliances

The European Commission continues its funding for European university alliances, supporting the efforts of Vienna's universities. Both the Circle U. Alliance and the ENGAGE.EU Alliance receive financial support for their innovative projects under the European University Initiative.

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

Austria Stresses Need in Fight Against Illegal Migration Despite Rejection of Higher EU Budget

Dealing with irregular migration, increasing the EU budget as well as foreign and economic policy considerations were the focus of the Parliament's EU Main Committee today. Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer reiterated his opposition to a higher EU budget, but at the same time stressed the great need for funding in the fight against illegal migration.

June 28, 2023

European Movement Austria Presents Reform Ideas for the EU Single Market

Europe has achieved a level of prosperity that no previous generation has experienced. The EU Single Market, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is the key to this success. The future of the Single Market was the focus of a panel discussion of the European Movement Austria (EBÖ) at THE LEO GRAND in Vienna.

June 27, 2023

Austria's Interior Minister Karner Refers to EU Entry Ban on Question of Asylum for Prigozhin

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has stated that the head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has no prospect of asylum in Austria. Initially, Karner spoke of a case-by-case examination to answer a related question but later specified via a spokesman that Prigozhin was on the EU sanctions list and therefore not allowed to enter the country.

June 26, 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

European Forum Wachau: Building a Resilient, Green, and Competitive Europe

The event under the general theme "Building a Resilient, Green and Competitive Europe" takes place for the 27th time. This year, the Europa Forum Wachau invited top-class guests to discuss the most important European issues. Among others also the topic of illegal migration, the war in Ukraine, and the Euro-integration of the Western Balkan states.

June 25, 2023

EU Culture Salon Invites to a Discussion on the Future of Europe with Caroline de Gruyter

On June 27, the EU Culture Salon, a new series of events organized by the Representation of the European Commission, will take place at the House of the European Union. The guest will be the renowned journalist and author Caroline de Gruyter, whose book "The Habsburg Empire - Inspiration for Europe?" has caused a sensation.

June 20, 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

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

Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg Attends Gymnich Meeting

At the Gymnich meeting in Stockholm in May 2023, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg focused on the discussion of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU's relations with China.

May 15, 2023

Time to Decide Europe Summit to Address Urgent Questions Facing the Continent

The Time to Decide Europe Summit, a one-day conference co-organized by ERSTE Foundation and the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM), is set to address the most pressing dilemmas posed by the war in Europe. The conference will bring together prominent thinkers, political scientists, and economists to untangle the urgent questions facing Europe today and offer insights into the future of the continent.

May 11, 2023

Ukrainian Human Rights Lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk Delivers Speech to Europe at Wiener Festwochen 2023

The Wiener Festwochen program begins with the Speech to Europe 2023, featuring Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian human rights lawyer and the head of the Center for Civil Liberties, the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

May 9, 2023

ICMPD Files Lawsuit Against NGO to Correct False Allegations

The conflict between the Viennese NGO SOS Balkan Route and the international organization International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) over the construction of a deportation center including a prison in the Bosnian refugee camp Lipa has a legal aftermath. ICMPD wants to correct the accusations that have made the rounds in the Austrian media.

May 9, 2023

EU Commissioner Hahn Says Only a United Europe Can Succeed in a Globalized World

On the occasion of Europe Day on May 9th, the European Commission recently organized a ceremony under the motto "Europe - Together for Democracy, Peace and Sovereignty" at the Austrian Parliament. EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of Europe's global political capacity for its future success.

May 5, 2023

Austrian President Van der Bellen Welcomes Slovenia's First Female President on Inaugural Visit

The new Slovenian President, Nataša Pirc Musar, paid her inaugural visit to Vienna, where she was welcomed by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen with military honors. "It is an honor to receive today in Vienna the first female head of state of Slovenia," Van der Bellen said.

May 2, 2023

German-Speaking Foreign Ministers Discuss International Trouble Spots in Salzburg

The German-speaking Foreign Ministers Alexander Schallenberg from Austria, Annalena Baerbock from Germany, Dominique Hasler from Liechtenstein, Jean Asselborn from Luxembourg, and Ignazio Cassis from Switzerland met to discuss global and European challenges.

May 2, 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

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

French Order Awarded to Austrian General Robert Brieger

French Ambassador to Austria Gilles Pécout awarded Austria's General and Chairman of the European Union Military Committee Robert Brieger the Commander's Badge of the French Legion of Honor on behalf of the French President at a ceremony Tuesday at the French Embassy in Vienna.

April 18, 2023

Polish President Says that We Should Not Be Afraid of Russia

Polish President Andrzej Duda met with Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in Vienna. There he assured further military support for Ukraine

April 18, 2023

European Anti-Semitism Conference in Vienna

Anti-Semitism is still widespread in Europe and must be curbed. The European conference on anti-Semitism is taking place in Vienna for the second time.

April 17, 2023

New Chairpersons of the Austrian Citizens' Forum Europe

The ordinary general assembly of the Citizens Forum Europe (BGFE) in Vienna elected a new board. While Othmar Karas was reconfirmed as chairman, ex-Chancellor Christian Kern and ex-Vice President of the European Parliament Ulrike Lunacek will be his deputies in the future.

April 2, 2023

President Van der Bellen Reassured Austria’s Support to Pendarovski

Austria’s Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen Went on an Official Visit to North Macedonia and Met with his Macedonian Counterpart Stevo Pendarovski. Van der Bellen reassured support for North Macedonia’s EU accession and opted for constitutional Change in the country.

March 30, 2023

Austria Before Participation in European Initiative "Sky Shield"

Austria has taken a big step towards participating in the "Sky Shield" initiative, in other words, the joint planned air defense system of European countries. Austria is thus participating more strongly in an all-European defense.

March 21, 2023

Austria's Cooperation with EU Drugs Agency Exemplary

The European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) is the leading European institution in the field of drugs. EMCDDA Executive Director Alexis Goosdeel is meeting with the Austrian ministries responsible for drug policy issues, in particular with Health Minister Johannes Rauch and Justice Minister Alma Zadić, as part of a three-day working visit to exchange views.

March 20, 2023

City of Vienna: Europe's Nuclear Energy Sector is Heavily Dependent on Russia

The European Union's recently adopted tenth package of sanctions against Russia continues to leave one area completely untouched - nuclear energy. A new study by the Cities for Nuclear Free Europe network, where Vienna is also involved, aims to prove interconnections between the European and Russian nuclear sectors.

March 5, 2023

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

Minister Edtstadler Wants to Maintain Unity in the European Union

Europe Minister Karoline Edtstadler said that the European Union must maintain unity despite the economy and the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

February 24, 2023

Finnish Prime Minister Marin Visited Vienna

The Finnish head of government Sanna Marin visited Vienna for the first time for working talks and was received by Chancellor Karl Nehammer and President Alexander Van der Bellen. Finland and Austria share enough interests, but not the status of neutrality.

February 20, 2023

Raiffeisen Probed by U.S. Sanctions Authority

Raiffeisen Bank International, an Austrian lender that plays a critical role in the Russian economy, is under investigation by the US sanctions authority over its Russia-related business.

February 18, 2023