Vienna's Foreign and Bilateral Relations

Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, diplomacy, culture and tourism between Austria and its partners

Fitch Keeps Polish Sovereign Rating Unchanged

The U.S. rating agency has reassessed Poland´s sovereign debt rating.

February 15, 2014

Poland: PKO BP Planning to Establish Mortgage Bank

The Polish bank intends to found a mortage bank around the beginning of the year 2015.

February 14, 2014

Serbia: Key Rate Kept Untouched

The board of the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) underlined the importance of a cautious monetary policy in the light of the current economic developments.

February 14, 2014

Slovakia: Vote of No Confidence against PM Failed

The vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Robert Fico failed in parliament.

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

Singer: “Forex Interventions Were Right Measures”

Miroslav Singer, Governor of the Czech National Bank (CNB), considers the forex intervention and the weakening of the Czech Crown as the right measures in the light of the most recent inflation figures.

February 13, 2014

Poland: Consumer Loans Expected to Rise Significantly

Last year consumer loans saw a 16 percent growth which leads to expecations that Poland will register a double-digit growth rate in 2014 as well.

February 12, 2014

Hypo Group: Bad Bank Active at Least 10 Years

Austria’s rating by Standard & Poor’s (“AA+”, stable outlook) is currently not compromised. Because of the establishing of the bad bank the debt rate will rise four to six percent.

February 12, 2014

Erste Group: Net Results Below Expectations

Erste Group provides business update for 2013: Improvement in risk costs is outweighed by one-off items and tax effects, impacting net profit

February 11, 2014

Poland: Sharp Decline in Insurance Prices

Insurance policy prices dropped almost 30 percent last year.

February 11, 2014

Austria: Hypo Group Becomes Fiasco for Taxpayers

The most expensive solution for the winding up of troubled Hypo Group becomes imminent.

February 11, 2014

Poland: Economic Growth to Speed Up

According to the Economy Ministry’s forecast, economic growth is supposed to come at 3 percent of GDP year-on-year this year. Inflation, on the other, is expected to come at 2 percent.

February 10, 2014

Serbia: Inflation Requires New IMF Agreement

In the light of a devaluation of the Dinar Serbia needs a new agreement with the IMF to improve funding and accelerate the realization of reforms.

February 10, 2014

Poland: Slight Drop in 2013 Banks’ Profits

Polish banks displayed a total net profit of PLN 15.43 billion in the financial year 2013, which is a slight decrease of 0.3 percent on an annual comparison basis.

February 10, 2014

“We Want to Return to the Mainstream”

The new Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka announced that the country will become a member of the EU Fiscal Pact.

February 7, 2014

Czech Republic. Euro Adoption Causes Dispute Within the Cabinet

Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Lubomir Zaoralek (CSSD – Czech Social Democrats) wants to adopt the euro as soon as possible. Minister of Finance Andrej Babis rejects that idea.

February 7, 2014

Hungary: Why Orban Faces Another Victory

At the beginning of April, Hungary will hold elections. Despite a high level of dissatisfaction and political frustration, there will be no government change.

February 7, 2014 · Updated: February 7, 2014; 17:59

Czech Republic: CNB Demonstrates Optimism

The Czech National Bank has revised the economic outlook. Domestic demand remains is expected to remain weak.

February 7, 2014

Standard & Poor´s Underlines Poland´s Economic Robustness

The U.S. rating agency S&P keeps Poland´s sovereign debt rating unchanged. The outlook remains stable.

February 7, 2014

FHB Bank Acquires Stake in Takarek Bank

The largest Hungarian mortgage bank becomes a core shareholder of the Hungarian savings bank Takarek Bank. Takarekbank is an umbrella bank for the Hungarian savings bank sector.

February 7, 2014

Romania: Chitiou Has Lost Support from PNL

As reported by Vindobona, Romania´s Minister of Finance has decided to leave the government. According to rumors, the resignation was forced by senior PNL members.

February 7, 2014

Romania: Minister of Finance Quits

Minister of Finance Daniel Chitoiu is said to leave the Romanian cabinet.

February 6, 2014

Croatia: Optimism Despite Difficult Frame Conditions

After six consecutive years of negative growth rates, Croatia´s economy is still far away from a recovery. Nevertheless, Croatian entrepreneurs are relatively optimistic.

February 6, 2014

Czech National Bank Retains Monetary Strategy

The Czech National Bank keeps the reference rate at the record low and confirms its commitment to continue interventions.

February 6, 2014

Poland: Public Debt Falls Significantly

Due to the nationalization of the pension funds OFE, Poland´s public debt quota goes down to 50% of GDP.

February 6, 2014

Fitch Criticizes European Stress Tests

The rating agency argues that there is still a lack in technical details. Regarding the robustness of the stress tests, Fitch demonstrates skepticism.

February 6, 2014

Poland: Interest Rate Remains Unchanged

The National Bank of Poland (NBP) has kept the reference rate stable at 2.50%. As the zloty has begun to weaken, the pressure on NBP is growing.

February 6, 2014 · Updated: February 6, 2014; 10:24

Romania Reaches Agreement With IMF

Romania has met the criteria to receive a stand-by agreement by the International Monetary Fund.

February 5, 2014

Hungarian National Bank: Market Manipulation Caused Fall in Forint

Hungary´s currency is under pressure again. In the last few weeks, the Forint has fallen substantially against the euro.

February 5, 2014

Roubini: Hungary in Difficulties

A number of emerging countries are facing enormous problems, according to economist Nouriel Roubini. Also countries in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are affected.

February 5, 2014

Poland: Economic Growth to Accelerate Further

Today, the U.S. rating agency Fitch has revised its economic forecast.

February 5, 2014

Czech Republic: Rusnok to Become CNB Board Member

Czech President Milos Zeman will appoint former Czech prime minister Jiri Rusnok as new board member of the Czech National Bank.

February 4, 2014

Poland: Sixteen Banks to be Examined by EBA

In total, sixteen Polish banks will participate in the stress tests carried out by the European Banking Authority.

February 4, 2014

Criticism of Croatia´s Fiscal Policy

Next year, Croatia´s government wants to comply with the EU fiscal rules. According to economists, this aim is not realistic.

February 4, 2014

IMF: Bulgaria May Reach European Standards in 40 Years

According to the International Monetary Fund, the poorest EU member faces a long transition period.

February 4, 2014

Romania: Base Rate at Record Low

Today, the Board of the National Bank of Romania has cut the base rate to 3.50 % from 3.75%. Since July, borrowing costs were cut by 175 bps. Economists think that there will be no further cuts.

February 4, 2014

„Hungary and Austria Must not Become Enemies“

Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) wants a solution between the Hungarian government and the Austrian banking sector.

February 4, 2014

Bulgaria: IMF Puts Pressure on Government

The International Monetary Fund demands Bulgaria´s government to accelerate economic reforms.

February 3, 2014

Bucharest: Fitch Affirms Sovereign Debt Rating

The U.S. rating agency Fitch has kept the long-term issuer default rating at “BBB-“. The outlook remains stable.

February 3, 2014

Upward Trend in Polish Property Market Continues

In Poland, the property market continues to grow significantly. There are no signs of a cool-down.

February 3, 2014

Czech Republic: Euro Not Before 2020

Czech new Minister of Finance Andrej Babis thinks that the euro will not be introduced in the next few years.

February 3, 2014

Serbia: First License Withdrawal of Private Bank

For the first time in the Serbian history, a privately held bank loses its license.

February 3, 2014

Tusk: No Monetary Interventions Necessary

In the past few months, the Polish zloty fell significantly. However, Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk thinks that the zloty does not need support.

February 3, 2014

Hungary: Next Currency Crisis Ahead

The extremely loose monetary policy begins to become a problem for Hungary. The forint exchange rate is going up considerably.

February 1, 2014

Vienna Insurance Group Enters New Market

Acquisition of the Moldovan insurer Donaris.

January 31, 2014

Hungary: Stable Economy, Weak Currency

According to Prime Minister Orban the volatility of the Hungarian Forint is based on global factors.

January 31, 2014

EANS-Total Voting Rights: Atrium European Real Estate Limited / Release according to article 93 BörseG with the aim of a Europe-wide distribution

EANS-Total Voting Rights: Atrium European Real Estate Limited / Release according to article 93 BörseG with the aim of a Europe-wide distribution

January 31, 2014

Poland: Economic Growth in 2013 above Expectations

GDP growth in Poland came at 1.6 percent year-on-year in 2013 which is 0.1 percent above expectations.

January 31, 2014

Poland: PKO BP Plans Keeping High Level of Loans

Poland’s biggest bank PKO BP plans selling consumer loans in the amount of PLN 2bn in every quarter from now on.

January 30, 2014

Austrian Industrial Sector only Sees Weak Recovery

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) warns about a fragile economic recovery.

January 30, 2014