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

S IMMO AG: Letting success in Sofia

The first quarter of 2014 brought encouraging successes in letting for S IMMO AG in Sofia, one of the company’s most challenging markets.

April 9, 2014

Austria: Government Wants “Restrictive Budget Performance”

Today the Austrian government has decided upon a “restrictive budget performance.

April 8, 2014

Austria: Majority Does Not Trust Euro

Only 49 percent of Austrian citizens have faith in the Euro.

April 7, 2014

Serbia: Effective Measures for Economy

The Serbian Chamber of Commerce considers the measures for economic growth “a very big thing”.

April 7, 2014

Hungary: Clear Victory for Orban

Today, Hungary has held parliamentary elections. Despite controversial and radical reforms, Prime Minister Orban was confirmed.

April 6, 2014

Czech Economy Recovers Slowly

In 2013, the Czech GDP was down for the second consecutive year. This year, the Czech economy is expected to expand by 1.4%.

April 5, 2014

Hungary: Orban Faces Re-Election

Tomorrow, Sunday, Hungary holds national elections. Despite the difficult economic frame conditions in Hungary, the centre-right government is expected to be confirmed for the next four years.

April 5, 2014

Austria: Capital Increase for Hypo Group Decided

The Austrian problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria will receive € 750m in fresh capital.

April 4, 2014

VBAG: No State Aids in 2014

The restructuring of VBAG Group is supposed to be completed until 2017, as announced by the banking group. From currently 48 regional bank shops in Austria nine regional banks are supposed to remain.

April 3, 2014

Hungary: Fidesz Considered Winners of Elections

The governing party Fidesz under Prime Minister Viktor Orban is expected to become the clear winner of the parliamentary elections on Sunday.

April 3, 2014

Poland: NBP to Stabilize FX Reserves

The Supreme Audit Chamber NIK in Poland called upon the National Bank in Poland (NBP) not to increase in foreign-exchange (FX) reserves but stabilize its level.

April 3, 2014

Serbian Future Government Needs to Be “Compact”

According to the deputy leader of SNS, Aleksandar Vucic “shall introduce iron discipline in the Government.”

April 3, 2014

VIG: Takeover of Donaris Successful

Acquisition of the Moldovan insurer Donaris completed

April 3, 2014

Poland: Banking Industry Expects Improvement in Results

The Polish banking sector expects net profits to increase in 2014.

April 3, 2014

Austria: Dispute about Bank Tax Culminates

The establishing of a new fund for the banking union will become a financial burden for banking institutes.

April 3, 2014

Prague Wants to Improve Relations With Vienna

The Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Lubomír Zaorálek is visiting Austria tomorrow.

April 2, 2014

PKO BP Closes Takeover of Nordea

According to the Polish Bank, the takeover of the Polish affiliate of the Swedish banking group is concluded.

April 2, 2014

Poland: Banks Post Profit of PLN 25bn

In the financial year of 2013 Polish banks posted profits of more than PLN 25bn, as reported by Polish daily Dziennik Gazeta Prawna citing figures by the Polish Financial Market Regulator KNF.

April 2, 2014

Hungarian Recovery Remains Shaky

Last year, Hungary´s government successfully managed the economic turnaround. Nevertheless, Hungary´s growth remains artificial.

March 31, 2014

Romania: Key Interest Rate Remains Unchanged

The central bank of Romania has left the main interest rate unchanged.

March 31, 2014

Poland: Corporate Sentiment on the Rise

Enterprises in Poland are becoming more and more optimistic.

March 31, 2014

Austria: Dispute about Hypo Credit to Alpine

The granting of a loan to Alpine Bau, which went bankrupt soon afterwards, in the amount of € 25m by Austrian problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria has become an issue of the Austrian prosecution.

March 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

March 31, 2014

Poland: Raiffeisen Polbank Increases Net Profit

Net profits for Raiffeisen Polbank, the Polish branch of the Austrian lender, achieved a considerable increase in net profits.

March 31, 2014

Slovakia: Kiska Won Against Fico

Prime Minister Robert Fico has received a heavy defeat. For the first time in Slovakia´s history, an independent candidate becomes President.

March 30, 2014

Poland: Interests on Bank Deposits to Remain Low

Interest rates will only be raised at the end of 2014.

March 28, 2014

Leitl: “Growth Must Not Mean Less Reforms”

Economic growth is now weaker than in the previous phases of upturn.

March 28, 2014

Hungary: 20th Consecutive Interest Rate Cut

The Hungarian central bank has cut the key interest rate by 10 basis points to 2.6 percent.

March 26, 2014

Hungary: Orban Striving to Become PM Again

In an attempt to gain another four years as head of the government Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban praises the country’s achievements in the past years since his Fidesz party came into power.

March 26, 2014

World Bank: Serbia Has Nine Month to Implement Reforms

According to Tony Verheijen, the World Bank’s Country Manager of Serbia, Serbia has nine month to implement the reforms necessary.

March 25, 2014

Poland: Number of Real Estate Loans Drops

The portfolio of real estate loans of Polish households declined in February, according to a report by the National Bank of Poland (NBP).

March 25, 2014

Poland: Pension Reform Not to Affect Rating

According to rating agency Fitch, Poland’s country rating will not be affected by the pension reform.

March 25, 2014

Czech Growth to Speed Up

Due to the increase in foreign demand, the advisory company EY expects the Czech economy to revive this year.

March 24, 2014

Poland: PKO BP Considers Expanding Worldwide

The biggest lender in Poland PKO BP is weighing up international expansion

March 24, 2014

Serbia to Continue Talks with IMF

Serbia's Minister of Finance Lazar Krstic announced that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission will visit Serbia for talks on a new three-year arrangement shortly after a new government is formed.

March 21, 2014

Serbia: Talks about Forming Government to Start Soon

Discussions about forming a new government in Serbia will start at the end of this week or the beginning of next week, according to Zorana Mihajlovic, deputy leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

March 21, 2014

Poland: Budget Deficit 2013 Below Target

The Polish budget deficit for 2013 has reached almost 82 percent after it was amended in August.

March 20, 2014

Atrium European Real Estate Limited / ATRIUM OPENS 75,000 SQM ATRIUM FELICITY SHOPPING CENTRE DEVELOPMENT IN LUBLIN, POLAND

Atrium European Real Estate Limited / ATRIUM OPENS 75,000 SQM ATRIUM FELICITY SHOPPING CENTRE DEVELOPMENT IN LUBLIN, POLAND

March 20, 2014

Serbia: Economic Activity Increases Speed

Since the beginning of 2014 economic activity has started to accelerate.

March 19, 2014

Wifo Warns European Council of Economic-Policy Standstill

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research sharply criticizes the current economic policy of the European Union and calls for a change of course to reach the self-defined targets.

March 19, 2014

Poland: PZU to Takeover Healthcare Companies

Polish insurance group PZU is considering the acquisition of two healthcare enterprises.

March 18, 2014

VBAG: Romanian Affiliate Sells Bad Loan Portfolio

The ailing affiliate of Austrian partly nationalized VBAG will sell its non-performing loans on a large scale.

March 18, 2014

Serbian President: Vucic is New PM

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic named Aleksandar Vucic as new Prime Minister.

March 17, 2014

Austria: Carinthia Forced to Pay for Hypo Group

Finance Minister Michael Spindelegger announced wanting to include the federal province of Carinthia to participate in the downsizing costs for ailing bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria. Austerity measures are “inevitable”.

March 17, 2014

Serbia: Landslide Victory for Vucic

After Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic’s party saw an overwhelming victory in the early parliamentary elections the new government is facing a hard road ahead.

March 17, 2014

Slovakia: Fico Gains Narrow Win in First Election Round

A runoff between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and independent billionair Andrei Kiska has got to be held now. In the first round of elections Fico only had a head start of four percent.

March 17, 2014

Serbia: Vucic Stands Good Chances of Becoming PM

Vucic is regarded new Serbian Prime Minister in the parliamentary elections.

March 15, 2014

Slovakia: PM Fico Regarded Winner of Presidential Elections

As reported by Slovakian media, the presidential elections started off peacefully and without any disturbances. Prime Minister Fico is considered the clear winner of the elections.

March 15, 2014

H.E. Ambassador Rajiva Misra, Embassy of India, presented his credentials to the Federal President of Austria

Ambassador Rajiva Misra presented his credentials to Dr. Heinz Fischer, the Federal President of Austria on 14th March and took charge as India’s Ambassador to Austria and Montenegro, and Permanent Representative of India to the International bodies in Vienna.

March 14, 2014

Poland: Lowest Budget Deficit Since 2008

The budget deficit as per the end of February, was the lowest since 2008.

March 14, 2014