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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


1.4 Million Austrians At Risk of Poverty

According to the most recent EU social report, 1.4m Austrians are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Social Minister Hundstorfer regards Austria be on the right path in the fight against poverty.
April 12, 2013


Ukraine: Yanukovych Rejects Pardoning Tymoshenko

President Yanokovych does not consider a pardoning as long as trials continue.
April 11, 2013


Austria: Great Demand in Two New Federal Bonds

In a double syndicated loan, the Austrian state has taken out € 4.5bn and issued two new federal bonds.
April 11, 2013


Croatia to Sell HPB and Croatia Osiguranje

Croatia’s seventh biggest bank and biggest insurance company will soon be privatized. The selling of the stakes is supposed to generate up to € 300m for the state budget.
April 11, 2013


Eurozone: Refinancing Gap of € 1.2 Trillion

Austrian banks are at EU average and show a finance gap of € 30bn.
April 10, 2013


Austria: Will Holidays on Thursdays be Abolished?

Minister of Infrastructure, Bures and President of IV announced to discuss the matter.
April 10, 2013


Household Assets in Austria Lower Than in Spain

The proportion of owned homes in Austria and Germany is below 50 % and one of the reasons why household assets are on the lower end of the scale.
April 10, 2013


Austria: Significant Increase in Exports

Imports Increased by 0.3 %. Exports Increased by 7.1 %. According to preliminary results by Statistics Austria, total imports amounted to € 10.31 bn and total exports amounted to € 9.96 bn in January 2013.
April 10, 2013


Austria: How to Finance Future Innovations

„Austria’s Future Needs Innovation” was the title of a discussion organized by the Research Council, the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV).
April 9, 2013


Czech Republic: 5.7 % Decrease of Industrial Production.

In February 2013, industrial production decreased at constant prices by 5.7%, year-on-year; working day adjusted decreased by 1.6%. Compared to the previous month, seasonally adjusted industrial production was higher by 1.6%.
April 9, 2013


Fitch: Poland Best Placed For Economic Recovery

In a statement regarding a report on the need of structural reforms in the CESEE region, rating agency Fitch awarded Poland the best position for an economic recovery among five countries.
April 9, 2013


Austria About to Lose Fiscal Secret

The Austrian government declared to negotiate with the EU about the abanonment of the fiscal secret.
April 9, 2013


Czech Republic: Exports and Imports Decreased Considerably

In February 2013, according to preliminary data of ‘cross−border statistics’, exports and imports at current prices fell by 3.6% and 4.4%, year-on-year (y−o−y), respectively.
April 9, 2013


Immofinanz to List in Warsaw

Real state corporation Immofinanz wants to list their shares on the Warsaw stock exchange.
April 9, 2013


Commission Criticizes Austria on Keeping Bank Secret

EU Tax Commissioner Algirdas Semeta considers Austria’s position to hold on to the bank secret and unwilligness to reform as “impossible”.
April 9, 2013


Fekter: “I Will Fight to Preserve Banking Secrecy in Austria!”

“Data protection is a valuable institution. We will continue to protect innocent citizens, but will also continue to lead the way in pursuing tax evaders.”
April 8, 2013


Austria: Unemployment Rate to Remain High

According to AMS, the public employment service in Austria, the unemployment rate will stay on the high level it shows right now. The labor market situation will only ease in 2016.
April 8, 2013


ILO Warns of Social Unrest in Europe

Because of the continuing high figures in unemployment in great parts of Europe, experts warn of social unrest.
April 8, 2013


Russia: Economic Growth Below Expectations

The Russian economy is flatlining. The government and the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) blame each other for the current state of affairs.
April 8, 2013


Barroso: „Existantial Crisis is Over“

President of EU Commission Jose Manuel Barroso came to Vienna to meet with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger.
April 6, 2013


Decisions About Hypo Group’s Future Still Pending

Finance Minister Maria Fekter has presented herself rather reserved after the meeting with EU Commissioner for Competition Joaquin Almunia.
April 5, 2013


Fekter Defends Austrian Bank Secret

With the reference to the agreement with Switzerland and Lichtenstein, Finance Minister Fekter tries to convince the EU Commission to leave the Austrian bank secret at the current situation.
April 5, 2013


Austria: Fekter Craving for Indulgence in Brussels

Austrian Finance Minister Fekter will be in Brussels on Friday to negotiate about the privatization of the nationalized-by –force Hypo Group.
April 4, 2013


VIG: Drastic Downsizing Measures in Romania

Because of increasing losses 450 employees will be made redundant.
April 4, 2013


Russia: Refinancing Rate Expected to Be Cut

The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) estimates inflation risks higher than a slow economic growth. However, the refinancing rate is expected to be lowered soon.
April 3, 2013


Hungary: Public Deficit Amounted to HUF 166.6bn in Q4/2012

The deficit of the general government sector was HUF 566.7 billion in 2012, 2.0% of GDP according to data reported to the EU on 29 March 2013 under the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP).
April 3, 2013


Hungary: Marginal Increase in Employment Rate

In light of the flash report by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) released on March 28, a positive trend regarding employment – a priority area for the Government – becomes evident.
April 2, 2013


Poland: Inflation Rate for Private Individuals At 1.6 %

March was the seventh consecutive month of decline in private individuals' inflation expectations. Respondents place average inflation rate as expected over the next 12 months at 1.6%.
March 30, 2013


Hungary: Economic Growth Only in 2014

The MNB, the National Bank of Hungary estimates economic growth to further stagnate in 2013 but forcasts positive devolopments for the next year.
March 29, 2013


Strabag: Defends Its Number 1 in Czech Republic

In a survey, 302 public customers have chosen Austrian construction enterprise Strabac to be the best in its sector. Swietelski follows on 2nd place.
March 28, 2013


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 28, 2013


Austria: Budget Deficit in 2012 Lower Than Expected

The country has reached a significantly lower deficit than the government had expected. According to Statistik Austria, the deficit was at 2.5 % of GDP in 2011, equaling € 7.7bn.
March 28, 2013


Poland: VAT Expected to Remain At 23 %

Prime Minister Tusk announced that there will be no return to the 22 % VAT which was planned for 2014.
March 27, 2013


EANS-General Meeting: Epigenomics AG / Additional Information for the General
Meeting

EANS-General Meeting: Epigenomics AG / Additional Information for the General Meeting
March 27, 2013


Strikes Paralyze Poland

Protests against government’s changes in education, social and labor policy.
March 27, 2013


Czech Republic: EGAP Covered Exports of CZK 72bn

Minister of Industry and Trade, Martin Kuba says: EGAP will focus more on supporting small and medium-size enterprises
March 27, 2013


Hungary: Tax Overhaul Finalized

Minister for National Economy: taxation system completed - time for fine-tuning.
March 27, 2013


Hungary: MNB to Reduce Key Interest Rate

The Hungarian National Bank (MNB) lowered the key interest rate by 25 basis points down to 5.0 %. This is the eighth downgrade in a row.
March 26, 2013


Austria: Number Nine in Innovation Ranking

On the EU innovation ranking list Austria loses points and slips back on ninth place.
March 26, 2013


Czech Republic: Confidence in Domestic Economy Inreased Marginally

Overall confidence in domestic economy increased slightly in March. The composite confidence indicator (economic sentiment indicator) increased by 0.2 points compared to February.
March 25, 2013


Vienna: One of the Most Innovative Cities

According to a ranking by the Australian agency 2thinknow, Vienna is the most innovative city in Europe and scored 3rd place in the cities worldwide, succeeding Boston and New York.
March 22, 2013


Romania: Pensions Increased by 3.4 %

By a year-on-year basis, pensions in Romania increased in the forth quarter of 2012 by 3.4 % coming up to 786 lei. Out of the total number of pensioniers, 86.1 % receive benefits from the state social insurance.
March 22, 2013


Poland’s Finance Minister Shows Optimism

Deputy Finance Minister Majszczyk announced that Poland will not exeed the planned budget deficit and forcasts economic growth for the second half of the year.
March 22, 2013


RBI to Acquire More Clients in Romania

RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) is attaining a portfolio of private clients by Citibank via affiliate Raiffeisen Bank S. A.
March 21, 2013


Vienna Among Top 10 of Strong Economic Regions

According to statistics, which were published by Eurostat on Thursday, Vienna is among the Top 10 of the economically strongest regions in Europe again.
March 21, 2013


Hungary: Gross Earnings Increased Marginally

In the national economy – at corporations employing at least 5 persons, budgetary and designated non-profit institutions – average gross earnings increased by 2.5%, while net earnings excluding family tax benefits grew by 3.9% compared to 2011.
March 21, 2013


Hungary: Personnel Purge at MNB

New govenor of the Hungarian Central Bank (MNB) György Matolcsy continues his purge.
March 20, 2013


CA Immo: Major Drop in Profits

On Tuesday evening, CA Immo published the annual figures for 2012. The market-listed real estate company shows profits of € 48.6m which means a decrease of 28 %.
March 20, 2013