About: Austria
UK foreign secretary to warn France, Austria of costs of no-deal Brexit
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt will visit Paris and Vienna this week to discuss Brexit and warn of the costs to Britain and the European Union of failing to reach a transition deal, his office said on Tuesday.
Austrian far-right minister doubles down on asylum reform plans
Austria's hardline interior minister Herbert Kickl said yesterday (10 July) he would push to change the EU's migration policy to make it impossible to make asylum requests on European soil.
Migrants at German-Austrian border will be returned, says Seehofer
After a meeting in Vienna on Thursday (5 July), Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz welcomed Germany’s decision to send back rejected asylum seekers to the EU countries where they first came in – namely Italy, Greece and Spain.
Domino effect of German border closure awaits crucial Vienna talks
The Austrian government remains cautious but warned there will be consequences if the German border is closed, ahead of a meeting with Interior Minister Horst Seehofer on Thursday (5 July) in Vienna.
Austria takes control of the EU, focusing on immigration
The Austrian government (a mix of Christian-democrats and far-right eurosceptics) has taken over the rotating presidency of the Council with a programme focused on tackling immigration. EURACTIV’s partner Euroefe reports.
Merkel under internal pressure to abandon EU-wide solutions to migration crisis
German Chancellor Angela Merkel faced a tense showdown yesterday (14 June) within her divided conservative camp over the flashpoint issue of immigration that could threaten her political future.
Merkel on tightrope over disputed migrant policy
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was fighting Tuesday (12 June) to stamp out the first major row within her uneasy coalition, as disputes over her refugee policy returned to haunt her while she negotiates a broad EU asylum deal.
Austria to expel 60 imams with links to Turkey
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced on 8 June his plans to expel foreign-funded imams and shut down seven mosques to tackle “political Islam”. EURACTIV’s partner Ouest-France reports.
In Austria, Putin calls for lifting sanctions, Kurz sticks by EU position
Russian President Vladimir Putin said yesterday (5 June) the European Union should end damaging sanctions against Moscow imposed over the Ukraine crisis and its annexation of Crimea.
Germany asks Trump envoy to clarify call to ’empower’ the right
Germany yesterday (4 June) said it had asked the new US ambassador in Berlin, outspoken Trump loyalist Richard Grenell, to clarify his reported comments on far-right website Breitbart that he wants to "empower" European conservatives.
Ahead of Austria visit, Putin says Russia wants ‘united and prosperous EU’
President Vladimir Putin yesterday (4 June) downplayed suggestions Russia was seeking to disrupt the European Union's cohesion, saying it was in his country's interests for the bloc to remain "united and prosperous".
Austria wants to tie minimum income to German language skills
The amount of the minimum income protection in Austria is now to be made dependent among other things on the German language skills. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.
Austria ‘declares war’ on social fraud
Freedom of services belongs to the four freedoms of the EU. Austria wants to fight its abuse with the help of digitization. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.
Brussels begins big battle on post-Brexit budget
The EU will this week unveil its first formal plans for a larger, one-trillion-euro-plus long-term budget after Britain's departure, which threaten to further deepen divisions in the bloc.
Erdogan: Austria will ‘pay a price’ for banning Turkish campaigning
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Saturday (21 April) criticised Austria for planning to ban any possible campaigning for the June elections, saying that countries attempting to undermine his country's democratic struggle would "pay a price".
EU member states warm up to Parliament’s energy stance
An informal meeting of EU energy ministers on Thursday (19 April) revealed that member states are starting to come around to the idea of more ambitious energy targets for 2030, as MEPs raise pressure ahead of fresh talks starting next week.
France to extend internal EU border checks
France said Wednesday (4 April) it has decided to extend border checks with countries in Europe's Schengen passport-free zone until the end of October because of the persistent threat of terrorism.
Austrian experts: Central Europe is the future of Europe
The relations of the Visegrád Four with many EU countries, as well as with Brussels, are currently very tense. Despite some differences of opinion, Austria is endeavouring to establish a good neighbourhood policy. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.
Austria sues over EU approval of Hungary nuclear plant
Staunchly anti-nuclear Austria lodged a legal complaint with the European Court of Justice yesterday (22 February) against the EU's approval of the expansion of a nuclear plant in neighbouring Hungary.
Campaigners tell Austria smoking ban is not ‘freedom of choice’ but a health right
Any visitor from Western Europe who enters a bar or a pizza place in Austria is undoubtedly surprised that smoking on the premises is still tolerated and actively practised.
ECJ ushers in new era for water protection
Disputes over an Austrian hydropower project and snow cannon system are ushering in a new era for water protection across the EU, writes Andrea Johanides.
Austria can be ‘sparring partner for sustainable parliamentarism’
The new president of the Austrian parliament, Wolfgang Sobotka, has announced that he wants to work more closely with the institutions in Strasbourg and put more focus on historical awareness. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.
Austria opts for dialogue with the Visegrád four
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is an irritation to many EU politicians. However, it is becoming clear that the new Austrian government relies on dialogue and wants to fulfil a "bridging function". EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.