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

Poland: Pension Scheme Reform to be Eased

At the beginning of September, Poland´s government decided to re-nationalize the pension system. Now, the government considers relativizing the reform.

September 28, 2013

"European bank supervision sends a strong signal to financial markets"

Austrian Federal Minister of Finance Maria Fekter welcomes favourable European Parliament decision on bank supervision.

September 28, 2013

Czech Republic: Working Poor Class Grows

In total, about one million Czechs fall into the category of employed poor. Their number is growing substantially.

September 28, 2013

Hungary: Official Unemployment Rate Below 10%

Hungary´s statistical office KSH has published the newest labor market data today. The real labor market conditions in Hungary are expected to be substantially worse.

September 27, 2013

Hungary is Seeking New Creditors

The Hungarian public debt agency AKK intends to sell more sovereign bonds in Asia. Compared to other European countries, Hungary´s debt burden causes severe difficulties.

September 27, 2013

Romania: Modest Growth for Metal Industry

Romania's metals sector will continue to see modest growth.

September 27, 2013

Czech Republic: No Foreign Exchange Interventions

As the Czech economy shows first signs of recovery, the Czech National Bank (CNB) decided against further monetary instruments.

September 27, 2013

Poland: Recovery Remains Fragile

Poland´s economy has bottomed out. However, the recovery mainly depends on foreign demand.

September 26, 2013

Czech Republic: Recession Is Not Managed Yet

This year, the Czech GDP is expected to contract by 1.1%, the Czech Ministry of Finance forecasts.

September 26, 2013

RBI Upgrades GDP Growth Forecasts

Economic recovery reshuffles the cards.

September 26, 2013

Croatia: Fiscal Situation Deteriorates Further

Due to the weak economy, the budget gap will increase. The end of the recession is still uncertain.

September 26, 2013

Hungary: Competitiveness of Industrial Sector Shrinks

Regarding Hungary´s competitiveness, there is a clear downward trend. This year, Hungary is expected to achieve an economic turnaround.

September 24, 2013

ESM Charges € 262 From Every Austrian

The establishing of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) burdens every Austrian citizens with an average amount of € 262. Luxembourg is the country contributing the most per capita followed by Ireland.

September 24, 2013

Croatia to Issue Dollar Bonds

In order to cover its foreign exchange needs, Croatia will issue a dollar bond with a size of $ 2.7bn.

September 24, 2013

CNB: No Monetary Interventions Necessary

The Czech Republic´s economy moves forward slowly. A weaker koruna is not necessary.

September 24, 2013

Poland: 71 Percent Dissatisfied with Domestic State of Affairs

According to a new poll by TNS Polska, the majority of Polish citizens are displeased about the country’s situation reports Polish news agency PAP.

September 23, 2013

Poland: Warsaw Stock Exchange to Introduce WIG30

The new index covers thirty enterprises instead of formerly twenty and reduced the dominance of the banking industry.

September 23, 2013

Czech Enterprises Will Not Cut R&D Expenses

According to a survey carried out by consulting company Deloitte, almost 90 percent of Czech enterprises will keep the amount of expenses in research and development unchanged or even increase the spendings.

September 23, 2013

Poland: Budget for 2014 Realistic

According to Witold Kozinski, Deputy Govenor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), the budget plan for 2014 is “realistic” and the risk of amendmends to the budget minimal.

September 23, 2013

Further Nationalizations in Hungary?

In order to acquire further foreign-owned bank and energy companies, Hungary issues new sovereign bonds.

September 23, 2013

Meet U.S. Ambassador-designate to Austria Alexa Lange Wesner

"I am aware of the great honor to come in 2013 as a representative of President Obama to Austria. In that year, our two countries celebrate the 175th anniversary of diplomatic relations", says the U.S. ambassador-designate Alexa L. Wesner.

September 21, 2013

Croatia: Foreign Exchange Loan Conversion Costs € 50m

In order to help over-indebted Croat households, the government plans to shift the burden to the banking sector.

September 21, 2013

Czech Republic: Economic Frame Conditions to Brighten

The Czech National Bank expects slightly better economic data for the Czech Republic this year.

September 21, 2013

Fitch: Croatia Cut to Junk Status

Due to the fiscal situation, Fitch cuts the credit rating of the newest EU member country. The economic frame conditions do not leave enough room for reducing the public debt level, Fitch argues.

September 21, 2013

Romania: High Dependence from FDI

Without the inflow of foreign direct investments, Romania´s economy would shrink. The industrial sector is highly controlled by foreign investors.

September 21, 2013

Faymann: Austria as Role Model for Investments and Employment Programs

The Austrian Chancellor calls for a fair distribution of wealth and lower taxes on wages.

September 20, 2013

NBP: First Signs of Recovery

According to the National Bank of Poland (NBP) there are first signs of recovery in the corporate sector.

September 20, 2013

Poland: Minor Slowdown in Industrial Production

On a year-on-year comparison basis, industrial output increased 2.2 percent in August while it declined 4.5 percent compared to July this year.

September 19, 2013

Croatia: No End of Recession in Sight

For the seventh quarter in a row, Croatia´s GDP was down. The main problem is the weakening domestic consumption and the high unemployment quota.

September 19, 2013

Romania: Real Estate Sector in Difficulties

In the first eight months of 2013, property prices were down by 7%.

September 18, 2013

Poland: Industrial Output Indicates Upswing

In August, Poland´s industrial production was up for the third month in a row. Due to the growing exports to the Eurozone, Poland is recovering.

September 18, 2013

Hungary: Orban Forecasts Growth of 2 Percent

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban forecasts economic growth of 2 percent next year as the country has managed to surpass several difficulties.

September 18, 2013

Romania: BBB-Rating for State Bonds

Fitch Ratings has assigned Romania's EUR1.5bn bond a 'BBB-' rating

September 18, 2013

Atrium European Real Estate Limited / UPDATE TO DIVIDEND RECORD DATE

Atrium European Real Estate Limited / UPDATE TO DIVIDEND RECORD DATE

September 18, 2013

Eurozone: Moderate Decrease of Inflation

Euro area inflation was 1.3% in August, down from 1.6% in July

September 17, 2013

RBI Revises Expected Provisioning Requirement

Vienna-based Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) has revised its outlook for the net provisioning requirement for the current financial year.

September 16, 2013

Czech Republic: No Further Monetary Easing

As long there are no risks of deflation, the Czech National Bank will leave the current monetary policy unchanged. Further easing measures are not necessary.

September 15, 2013

Hungarian National Bank to Use Foreign Currency Reserves

In order to support Hungarian homeowners, MNB (Hungarian National Bank) sells a part of its forex-reserves.

September 15, 2013

Polish Government Wobbles

The majority of Poland´s governing parties is at risk. New elections would be rather unfavorable for Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

September 14, 2013

Turkey: Industrial Turnover Index Grew 14.8 Percent

The statistical office of Turkey announced that the Industrial Turnover Index in July increased by 14.8 percent compared to the same month in 2012.

September 13, 2013

Eurozone: Industrial Production Decreased 1.5 Percent

Industrial production fell in fifteen EU member states.

September 13, 2013

Hypo Needs € 700m in Capital Increase

The ailing banking group needs a further capital injection in order to fulfill the lawful capital adequacy requirements.

September 12, 2013

Lopatka Welcomes Statement by Barroso

Subsidiarity is the precondition for a successful European Union.

September 12, 2013

Turkey: Economic Growth Exceeds Forecasts

Turkey’s economy continues on its growth track for the 15th consecutive quarter.

September 12, 2013

Poland: Rallies Against Government

Around 20,000 persons took part in a rally against the government organized by the country’s three largest trade unions: Solidarity, the All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ) and the Trade Unions Forum.

September 12, 2013

Romania: Massive Decline in FDI

Non-residents’ direct investment in Romania down 28.9 percent.

September 12, 2013

Turkey: Clashes During Protests

In several Turkish cities, the police violently dispersed protest movements and used tear gas and water cannons. The latest wave of protests was triggered by the death of a 22-year-old young man.

September 12, 2013

Hungary: Monetary Easing Policy to be Continued

Hungary´s National Bank MNB has decided to extend the “lending for growth” program until 2014. In total, the program´s volume comes at € 7.0bn.

September 12, 2013

Former President of Budapest Stock Exchange New Head of Division at RBI

RBI appoints Attila Szalay-Berzeviczy Head of Group Securities Services Business.

September 11, 2013

Atrium European Real Estate Limited / ATRIUM STRENGTHENS EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM

Atrium European Real Estate Limited / ATRIUM STRENGTHENS EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM

September 11, 2013