Recent Austrian practice in the field of international law

Abstract

This selection from Austria’s recent practice in the field of international law has been prepared, once again, by members of the legal service of the Austrian foreign ministry (“Office of the Legal Adviser”, “Volkerrechtsburo”, VRB). We see our report as a contribution to our mutually inspiring dialogue with academics and with other practitioners active in the field of public international law. The highlight of this dialogue is the annual Austrian international law conference (“Osterreichischer Volkerrechtstag”); some of the contributions made at its 43rd session (Wesenufer, 24–26 May 2018) are also published in this ZOR volume. Concerning the European law practice of the VRB, an interesting selection is also published annually in this journal. 2018, with Austria’s EU Council presidency during the second semester, was a special year for the VRB, as VRB members were chairing five EU Council working parties: Public International Law (COJUR), Public International Law/International Criminal Court (COJUR/ICC), Law of the Sea (COMAR), External Relations/Sanctions (RELEX/Sanctions) and Fundamental Rights, Citizens Rights and Free Movement of Persons (FREMP). Some of the activities pursued in these groups during the Austrian presidency are reflected in this report. We wish to thank Catherine Quidenus, Isabella Brunner and Julia Haas (all VRB) who also have contributed to this publication.