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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
Faymann Against Breaking Up the Eurozone (Part 2)
At the Alpbach Economic Symposium 2012, Austria´s Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann underlines the “advantages of the EU”. Without the euro, Austria would face a dramatic recession, he warns.
August 30, 2012
Barroso: “We Must Complete Europe” (Part 1)
At the Alpbach Economic Symposium 2012, the President of the EU-Commission José Manuel Barroso explained the “logic of integration”. In order to meet new challenges, the EU has to promote integration, Barroso says.
August 30, 2012
Spindelegger: “What We Need Is more Self-Confidence!”
At the Alpbach Forum 2012, Austria´s Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger explains that Europe suffers from a lack of confidence and self-confidence. The European people expect a message from the EU.
August 30, 2012
Spindelegger: “No United States of Europe”
The Austrian Vice-Chancellor wants to promote a political union in Europe. However, this system should not be the same like in the U.S.
August 30, 2012
VIG Withdraws from Russia
Vienna Insurance Group concludes sale of holdings in Russian Insurers MSK Life, SG MSK and SoVita.
August 29, 2012
Voestalpine Underlines Expansion Into Asia and America
For voestalpine´s CEO Wolfgang Eder, Europe is a stagnating market. By contrast, growth is expected to take place in the U.S.
August 25, 2012
Slim to Enter Polish Telecom Firms
The Mexican investor, who recently acquired a 25.9% in Telekom Austria, wants to expand in Poland.
August 25, 2012
Poland: Unemployment Shrinks
In July, Poland´s unemployment rate was down by 0.1 percentage points, the Polish Central Statistical Office reported.
August 25, 2012
ATB Enhances Profitability
In the first half year, the Austrian engineering company increased the net income and recorded stable revenues. However, the rising net result was due to the shutdown of a part of ATB´s business segments.
August 25, 2012
Lenzing Continues to Supply Fibers to US Army
Flame-resistant fibers from Austria of superior quality.
August 25, 2012
Majority of Poles Against Joining Eurozone
About 58% of the Polish citiczens are against the introduction of the euro, TNS Polska reports. Only 12% think that joining the Eurozone would be good for Poland´s economy.
August 24, 2012
Polish Retail Sales Growing Substantially
In July, Polish retail sales increased by 6.9% on the year. In 2012, retail sales are expected to increase by 6.5%.
August 24, 2012
S&P Confirms Czech Rating
The U.S. rating agency retained the rating for the Rczech Republic.
August 24, 2012
Investment in Czech Republic Still Below Pre-Crisis Level
The global financial crisis, which originated in the USA in 2007 also hit the Czech Republic quite hard despite the fact that neither its internal nor external imbalances were excessive, the Czech Central bank stated.
August 24, 2012
Verbund Invests in German Wind Power
With the acquisition of five wind farms in Germany, the Austrian energy company enlarges its hydropower portfolio.
August 23, 2012
Bawag May Sell Leasing Unit
The Austrian lender Bawag, which is owned by the U.S. investment fund Cerberus, is said to sell its leasing business.
August 23, 2012
Voestalpine Expands Into USA
In the next several years, the Austrian steel group will be investing more than € 100m in new plants in China, the USA, South Africa, Romania, and Germany
August 23, 2012
Kapsch Sees Austria´s Main Problem in Education Sector
In the last years, Austria fell behind in all competitive rankings. For the President of the Federation of Austrian Industries Georg Kapsch, education is the key factor.
August 22, 2012
Lay-Offs in Polish Banking Sector Ahead
According to the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita, about 2,500 employees may lose their jobs in the banking industry.
August 21, 2012
Allianz Austria: Stable Earnings and Rising Premium Income
In the first quarter of 2012, Allianz Austria recorded a 24% slump in earnings. Pre-tax profits grew slightly.
August 21, 2012
Czech VAT to Increase
In order to increase public revenues, the Czech government may increase value added taxes.
August 21, 2012
European Congress of Small and Medium – Sized Enterprises in Katowice
From 24th to 27th September 2012, the II European Congress of Small and Medium – Size Enterprises will take place in Katowice, Poland. 50 discussion panels are planned including over 250 speakers with 3500 participants.
August 21, 2012
Austrian Real Income Fell Dramatically
Economists often say that Austria has benefitted from the euro. According to a study of UBS, Austria has lost a substantial degree of prosperity, however.
August 20, 2012
Great Demand for Polish Sovereign Bonds
Last week, the interest rate on Polish sovereign bonds fell to a all-time low of four percent. However, a trend reversal is not unlikely.
August 18, 2012
Hypo Group: Major Risk Factor for BayernLB
The former owner of Hypo Group Alpe Adria, which was nationalized in 2009, may write down up to € 3.1bn.
August 18, 2012
VBAG to Sell Container Business
The Austrian partly nationalized bank is said to sell its container leasing business for € 163m.
August 18, 2012
Poland Does Not Expect Recession in 2013
The Polish Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski explained that the Polish economy will grow by 2.5% this year.
August 18, 2012
bwin Enters into Partnership with Manchester United
bwin, Europe’s leading sports book, today announces a new agreement with Manchester United to become the club’s official online gaming and betting partner.
August 18, 2012
Poland´s Deficit Target in Danger
The Polish government may fail the 3.0% deficit target in 2012. Above all, the economic slowdown is a risk factor.
August 17, 2012
Foreign Currency Loans Decrasing
Foreign currency loans: One quarter of all Erste Bank customers have converted or switched loans with payment vehicles.
August 17, 2012
Austria Faces No Recession Yet
According to a flash estimate for the second quarter of 2012, the Euro area and EU27 GDP was down by 0.2%.
August 14, 2012
Austrian companies profiting from the Olympics
The London Olympics were responsible for prestigious and lucrative orders running into double-digit millions in the run-up to the games.
August 14, 2012
Tax Deal with Switzerland in Doubt
After a CD containing data of foreign tax evaders was bought by German authorities, Switzerland may hold a popular vote on the tax deal with Austria.
August 13, 2012
Profits Grow Slower in Polish Banking Sector
The Polish banking sector is still very stable. However, a trend reversal is foreseeable.
August 10, 2012
Fewer Passengers at Austrian Airlines
AUA´s capacity utilization rose substantially. Against July 2011, the number of passengers was down by 5.6%.
August 9, 2012
East European Banking Industry Shows Ambiguity
For West European banks, their subsidiaries in Eastern Europe are either highly problematic or the cash cows.
August 8, 2012
No Merger Between VBAG and Bawag
Bawag´s CEO Byron Haynes reaffirmed that U.S. owned bank is not interested in a merger with the partly nationalized VBAG.
August 6, 2012
Polish Business Service Sector Booming
In 2011, 38 new business service centers were established in Poland. The number of employees doubled since 2009.
August 4, 2012
Telekom Austria Reconsiders Takover of „Yesss!“
The takeover of Hutchison/Orange and Telekom Austria/Yesss! becomes difficult. After the new EU requirements, Telekom Austria wants to examine the acquisition again.
August 4, 2012
Polish Industrial Sector Shrinks
Last month, the Polish purchase manager index could recover. Nevertheless, there is no tendency of growth yet.
August 3, 2012
Stable Retail Trade in Austria
In June 2012, the Volume of retail trade up by 0.1% in euro area was down by 0.3% in EU27.
August 3, 2012
Czech Republic: Erste Group´s CEO Advises Against Introducing the Euro
According to Andreas Treichl, the Czech Republic should not enter the Eurozone now.
August 2, 2012
Surprising Profit at AUA
Due to special items, Austrian Airlines could achieve positive results in the first half year of 2012.
August 2, 2012
VIG Streamlines its Market Presence in Poland
Vienna Insurance Group announced that the merger of InterRisk and PZM is completed.
August 1, 2012
AUA: Auditors Found Inconsistencies
In 2007, Austrian Airlines should not have recorded a profit, but a substantial loss of € 235m, auditors says.
July 31, 2012
New Unemployment Record in Eurozone
The Euro area unemployment rate came at 11.2% in June 2012. Austria leads the ranking.
July 31, 2012
Austria: Guarantees Reach Half of Public Debt
Among EU members, only Ireland has more guarantees as a percentage of GDP.
July 30, 2012
Schlecker Austria to be Rescued?
The Austrian subsidiary of the bankrupt German chemist chain and its subsidiaries in Poland, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg may be continued.
July 30, 2012
Kapsch TrafficCom: Major Contract in U.S.
The Austrian IT company achieves a contract award in Texas for supply of first total system in North America. The contract value for implementation reaches $ 79 million (about € 64m).
July 30, 2012
Spindelegger: “EU human rights policy has been given a voice and face”
Austria’s Foreign Minister congratulates Stavros Lambrinidis on his appointment of EU Special Representative for Human Rights.
July 30, 2012