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

Slovenia: Recession Goes On

In the second quarter, Slovenia´s GDP was down by 1.7% year on year. This year, Slovenia´s GDP will fall by 3.0%, economists say.

September 2, 2013

Hungary: Another Base Rate Cut

Hungary´s National Bank (MNB) has cut the base rate from 4.00% to 3.80%. This is a new record low. Nevertheless, MNB was expected to decide a lower cut.

August 31, 2013

Poland: Economy Begins to Accelerate

In the third quarter of 2013, Poland´s economy will grow by 1.0% year on year.

August 31, 2013

Czech Republic: GDP to Shrink Further

The Czech Republic will not leave the recession behind soon. The economic forecasts had to be revised again.

August 31, 2013

Uher: “Banking Union in Eurozone Great Danger“

Thomas Uher, member of the board of directors at Erste Bank, warns of a banking union that is only limited to the Eurozone.

August 30, 2013

Atrium European Real Estate Limited / Publication of an Announcement after art. 93 BörseG with the objective of Europe-web publication

Atrium European Real Estate Limited / Publication of an Announcement after art. 93 BörseG with the objective of Europe-web publication

August 30, 2013

Eurozone: Unemployment at 12.1 Percent

A total number of 26.7 million persons in the European Union are unemployed, according to estimates by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union,

August 30, 2013

Spar: Growth Plans In Czech Republic

Retailer Spar has lost a total of € 130m in the past eight years in the Czech Republic. Despite of that, the trade chain has plans of expansion. Particularly the network of frachise stores is supposed to grow.

August 30, 2013

Mersch: Banking Supervisory Could Be Delayed

At the Forum Alpbach Yves Mersch, member of the ECB’s (European Central Bank) executive board, presented himself sceptical about whether or not a punktual start of a uniform European banking supervision could take place.

August 29, 2013

Hypo Alpe Adria Threatened with Losses of up to € 3.5bn

According to the restructuring plan and in a worst case scenario, even more losses could amount than in the past five years together. Reports by the media say, this year alone figures never seen before could pile up.

August 29, 2013

ATRIUM EUROPEAN REAL ESTATE COMPLETES THE EUR151.7 MILLION ACQUISITION OF GALERIA DOMINIKANSKA IN WROCLAW, POLAND

ATRIUM EUROPEAN REAL ESTATE COMPLETES THE EUR151.7 MILLION ACQUISITION OF GALERIA DOMINIKANSKA IN WROCLAW, POLAND

August 29, 2013

EU Commissioner Sees First Signs of Economic Turn-Around

EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn can see the first signs of an economic turn-around in the European Union.

August 29, 2013

Poland: Opposition to Gain Support

The percentage of support for leading centrist Civic Platform (PO) under the lead by Prime Minister Donald Tusk dropped to 22 percent in late August.

August 28, 2013

Czech Republic: Early Elections on Their Way

On Wednesday Czech President Milos Zeman has signed the dissolution of the House of Representatives.

August 28, 2013

Austria: Hypo Group in “Crisis Mode“

According to Austrian daily “Standard“, there are daily reports about Hypo Group being forwarded to the Austrian National Bank (OeNB).

August 28, 2013

Atrium European Real Estate Limited

Atrium European Real Estate Limited

August 28, 2013

Austrian Economy Minister: “No Time for Idle Complacency”

Austrian Minister of Economics and former general secretary of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO), Reinhold Mitterlehner avoids any dispute with Christoph Leitl, President of WKO but signals a different opinion.

August 27, 2013

Romania: Government Loans Declined 1.2 Percent

Romanian Government loans granted by credit institutions declined by 1.2 percent.

August 27, 2013

Austria: First Chancellor’s Duel

Chancellor Werner Faymann (SPÖ) and Deputy Chancellor Michael Spindelegger (ÖVP) had their first official chancellor’s duel on TV on Monday. However, people waiting for a major dispute had been disppointed.

August 27, 2013

Poland: Tusk Remains Leader of Civic Platform

With almost 80 percent of votes Prime Minister Tusk wins elections for Civic Platform’s (PO) party leader.

August 26, 2013

Czech Republic: Klaus Reconsiders Returning to Politics

On Saturday, August 24, former Czech President Vaclav Klaus told Czech Television (CT) he is “seriously considering” returning to politics.

August 26, 2013

Czech Republic: Early Vote No Danger for Sovereign Debt Rating

The current instable political situation is no significant risk factor for the Czech rating yet, the U.S. rating agency Fitch says.

August 25, 2013

Fitch Cuts Outlook for Poland

Due to the change in Poland´s fiscal policy, the U.S. rating agency lowers the rating outlook for Poland from „positive“ to „stable“.

August 25, 2013

Turkey: Overall Dissatisfaction Grows

A new poll carried out by Gallup shows that about a third of the Turks feel themselves suffering from an economic point of view.

August 25, 2013

Russian National Bank Underlines Stability of Ruble

Russian National Bank emphasizes that the Russian ruble will not devalue.

August 24, 2013

Russia: GDP to Increase without Economic Growth

Russia will change its GDP account practice. Foreign investors will benefit from the new standards, head of Rosstat says.

August 24, 2013

Czech Republic: SME Suffer from Credit Crunch

The recession in the Czech Republic is mainly due to the restrictive lending policy of the domestic banking sector.

August 24, 2013

Turkey: Capital Outflow Endangers Economic Stability

The monetary and economic stability is under enormous pressure. Turkey´s National Bank does not have sufficient reserve to support the Turkish lira.

August 24, 2013

Schwarzenberg Criticizes Spindelegger

The former Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg thinks that Austria´s Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger mainly focuses on domestic politics. The CEE region should co-operate closer in future, he claims.

August 24, 2013

Ukraine: Net Profits of Banking Sector Almost UAH 2bn

Ukrainian banking sector reports a sustained increase in the income and net profit.

August 23, 2013

Austria: Leitl Reiterates Criticizm

State Secretary Schieder considers Leitl’s statements “totally out of place”.

August 23, 2013

Atrium European Real Estate Limited / Half Yearly Report

Atrium European Real Estate Limited / Half Yearly Report

August 23, 2013

Atrium European Real Estate Limited / FIRST HALF RESULTS SHOW A CONTINUED STRONG OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE AND SOLID PROGRESS IN THE GROUP'S STRATEGY FOR GROWTH

Atrium European Real Estate Limited / FIRST HALF RESULTS SHOW A CONTINUED STRONG OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE AND SOLID PROGRESS IN THE GROUP'S STRATEGY FOR GROWTH

August 23, 2013

Czech Republic: Zeman Signs Parliamentary Dissolution

Zeman will sign the parliamentary dissolution on August 28. The path is now clear for early elections at the end of October.

August 22, 2013

Romanians Not Satisfied with Wages

More than half of Romanian employees claim not to be paid enough for their work.

August 22, 2013

Turkey: Tear Gas against Demonstrators in Istanbul

The police has once more used tear gas against a new demonstration of critics of the government.

August 21, 2013

Poland: Budget Amendment Passed in Parliament

In order to adapt to the slow economic growth the government has amended the budet by permitting this year’s budget deficit to increase to PLN 16bn as well as approving PLN in spending cut, as announced at a press conferenced on Tuesday.

August 21, 2013

Political Dissatisfaction in Poland Grows

Seven out of ten Poles are disappointed with Polish parliament

August 21, 2013

Czech Parliament Votes for New Elections

The Czech House of Representatives has decided its dissolution on Tuesday evening and therefore clears the way for early parliamentary elections, which in all likelyhood will take place on October 25 and 26.

August 21, 2013

Romania: Without Nabucco, Better Chances for Higher Pay-Out for Transgaz

This year's tariffs revisions are better suited to protect the company for the drop in gas consumption, thus RBI sees lower risk of unrealized revenues.

August 20, 2013

Ukraine Remains in a Recession for a Year

In the second quarter of 2013 GDP contracted by 1.1 percent on a year-on-year comparison basis.

August 20, 2013

Eurozone: Minor Increase in Construction Production

In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production rose by 0.7% in the euro area (EA17) and by 0.8% in the EU27 in June 2013, compared with the previous month, according to first estimates released by Eurostat.

August 20, 2013

National Bank of Ukraine fully meets domestic demand for cash

The National Bank of Ukraine is committed to developing cashless payments. At the same, cash is needed for retail payments. The growing demand for cash is fully met.

August 20, 2013

Romanian Real Estate Market to Stabilize

According to a study, the real estate market in Romania has stabilized again.

August 19, 2013

Russia: Rusal to Slip into the Red

Russian metal giant Rusal has to decrease production by 357,000 tons this year due to a drop in prices in aluminium. The company now hopes for state subsidy.

August 19, 2013

Turkey Wants to Stop Capital Outflow

The Turkish government plans to attract more investors. By lower taxes, foreign capital of Turkish nationals should come back to Turkey.

August 17, 2013

Russia: Stable Outlook, Lower Growth Rates

The rating agency Fitch reiterates the “BBB” rating for Russia. The outlook remains stable. However, Russia´s GDP forecast had to be lowered.

August 17, 2013

Poland´s Economic Growth Accelerates

In the second quarter of 2013, the annual growth rate came at 0.8%. Due to combined monetary and fiscal measures, the outlook is positive.

August 17, 2013

RBI´s CEO Sevelda: Drastic Losses in Hungary

Next week, Vienna-listed RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) will present the results for the first half year of 2013. RBI will put effort into selective growth strategies.

August 17, 2013

Austria: Minor Decrease of Inflation Rate

Slight easening of inflation in Austria: Thanks to cheaper fuels and a lower upward trend in prices for food, the inflation rate in Austria decreased from 2.2 percent to 2.0 percent in July.

August 16, 2013