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

FACC Builds New Technology Center

The Austrian aviation company enlarges its R&D activities. The new technology center should be completed in 2013.

July 16, 2012

Further Increase in Austrian National Debt

Due to the European debt crisis, Austria´s public debt level will increase from 72.2% to 74.7% of the country´s GDP.

July 16, 2012

“The time has come to design the EU of the 21st century”

„Europe – Quo Vadis?“ The Austrian Foreign State Secretary Waldner opens the Forum Europe in Styria with a keynote speech.

July 16, 2012

CA Immo: Success in Berlin and Munich

The Austrian real estate company has sold extensive land reserves in Berlin and has concluded further rental contracts in Munich for the Skygarden office building.

July 16, 2012

Poland Not to Enter the Eurozone Soon

For the time being, Poland will keep the Zloty. After the Eurozone has managed the current crisis, an accession is conceivable, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski says.

July 14, 2012

Income Grows Slower Than GDP

For years, the increase in wages and salaries is lower than the rise in company profits.

July 14, 2012

Sberbank to Provide € 300m for VBI

The Russian Sberbank intends to inject € 300m into the Austrian VBI (Volksbank International). Growth into the CEE region should be promoted.

July 13, 2012

Kapsch: Poland Showing Excellent results

Revenue for Poland of over € 178m, investments amortized after only 18 months

July 13, 2012

Schuler Recommends Accepting Takeover Bid by Andritz

The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board of the German engineering company recommend that shareholders accept the takeover bid issued by Andritz. A Bid price of € 20.00 per share is deemed to be fair.

July 12, 2012

Zumtobel Group Strengthens its Presence in China

The Austrian lighting company announces that the newly built factory was opened in Tianjin, China, for road and tunnel lighting. R&D activities in China will be expanded.

July 12, 2012

Crossing Borders - Expectations towards Europe

From Date: Saturday, September 1, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, the Alpbach Closing Event “Crossing Borders - Expectations towards Europe” takes place.

July 12, 2012

Fischer Wants to Check ESM

Austria´s Federal President Heinz Fischer does not sign the ESM approval by the Austrian Parliament yet. „I am not under time pressure.“ he says.

July 11, 2012

Stable Outlook for Austrian Industrial Sector

Austrian industrial enterprises expect production, order intake and employment tob e stable in the second half of 2012. The uncertainty remains.

July 11, 2012

„No Austerity Measures in the Czech Republic“

The Vienna Institute for International Studies underlines that the Czech Republic´s financial situation is very stable at the moment. Austerity policies would not be required.

July 11, 2012

WSE Remains European Leader by Number of IPOs

Warsaw Stock Exchange is the leader by the number of IPOs and Europe’s third market by the value of IPOs in Q2 2012.

July 11, 2012

Austrian Banks Fulfilled EBA Requirements

The European Banking Authority published today an overview report on the implementation of the capital exercise. The vast majority of the banks in the sample meet the required ratio of 9% Core Tier 1 (CT1).

July 11, 2012

Poland: Alpine Excluded from Tendering Procedure

After a dispute with Polish authorities, the Austrian construction company Alpine has been excluded from the tendering procedure of the national highway S8.

July 10, 2012

Austrian Industry Urges Government to Continue Austerity Policies

The Austrian government has to perform its job in order to retain competitiveness and economic growth in future. Finance Minister Fekter is highly satisfied with the government´s economic report.

July 10, 2012

Schlecker Austria Sees High Probability of Takeover

The insolvency manager of the German chemist chain Schlecker sees a favorized potential buyer for Schlecker Austria.

July 9, 2012

ESM Approved by Austrian Parliament

The controversial European Stability Mechanism was ratified by the Austrian National Council. The right opposition parties criticized the approval massively.

July 6, 2012

Railway Cartel: € 8.5m Fine for voestalpine

The steel group participated in a railway cartel in Germany. The cartel proceedings are finished now.

July 5, 2012

Alpbach Forum “Lobbying and Networking in the European Union”

From Saturday, August 25, 9:00 a.m. to Sunday, August 26 1:45 p.m, the Alpbach Forum will deal with lobbying and networking in the EU.

July 5, 2012

Austria Leads European Employment Rankings

Regarding regional unemployment and total unemployment, Austria ranks first. The youth unemployment rate is the second-lowest in the EU.

July 4, 2012

New CEO at ATB

Andreas Schindler is the new Chief Executive Officer of the Wolong-owned ATB Austria Antriebstechnik.

July 4, 2012

Austrian Companies Exhibiting at Farnborough Airshow

Farnborough International Airshow is the world's most iconic global aviation event and one of the most important exhibitions in the aerospace industry worldwide.

July 4, 2012

Austrian Delta Bloc UK Wins British Precast Innovation Award

Delta Bloc UK, have been awarded British Precast’s Innovation award for 2012 for their Precast Concrete Road Safety Barrier project on the M4 in South Wales.

July 4, 2012

Austrian Companies at Semicon West

Strong presence of Austrian Companies at the biggest event for the global microelectronic industry.

July 3, 2012

Austrian Airlines: Operated by Tyrolean

The transfer of undertakings is completed. About 2,000 AUA staff members shifted to the regional airline Tyrolean.

July 3, 2012

Banking Supervision: Satisfaction and Criticism

Austrian Members of the European Parliament welcomed the decisions taken by the euro summit. By contrast, the opposition party FPÖ criticizes the result as „final step towards a debt union“.

July 3, 2012

„ECB as Only Supervisor Not Likely“

OeNB`s (Austrian Central Bank) Governor Ewald Nowotny does not think that ECB will act as only banking supervision authority.

July 2, 2012

C-Quadrat to Acquire UK Fund Management Company

The Austrian Investment Fund intends to take over the British BCM Group, which manages assets of € 800m.

July 2, 2012

Austria Ratifies ESM

The government parties SPÖ and ÖVP got support by the oppositional Green Party. The remaining opposition parties criticized the „loss of sovereignty“ massively.

July 2, 2012

Boom in New Listings at Prague Stock Exchange

The CEESEG member Prague Stock Exchange is pleased about new listings despite the current economic crisis.

July 2, 2012

„Good Prospects“ For Schlecker Austria

The insolvency manager of the bankrupt German chemist chain views „promising talks with potential investors“.

June 30, 2012

London Cable Car Put Into Action

This week, the official opening of the 'Emirates Air-Line' (London Cable Car) took place. The cable car was produced by the Austrian manufacturer Doppelmayr and the Swiss partner Garaventa.

June 29, 2012

Austria Connect 2012 in Washington D.C.

From September 13, 2012 to September 15, 2012 the Austrian Trade Commissions will hold its conference in Washington D.C.

June 29, 2012

VIG Completed Polisa Life Acquisition in Poland

The Vienna Insurance Group AG is the new owner of the Polish life insurance company Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń na Życie "POLISA-ŻYCIE" S.A. With this transaction, the VIG has acquired about 92 percent of the life insurer.

June 28, 2012

Austrian Presence at Intersolar North America

Austrian companies will show their new innovations in San Francisco, California on July 10 – 13.

June 28, 2012

Spindelegger: „Austria Must Delegate Competencies“

The Austrian Vice Chancellor and chairman of ÖVP Michael Spindelegger wants the centralize the European Union.

June 27, 2012

Leitl: „Securing Austria´s Top Ranking“

WKO´s President Christoph Leitl calls for reforms. In order retain Austria´s economic position, reforms should be accelerated and taxes should be cut.

June 27, 2012

Austria Still Blocks Agreement on Taxation of Interest Income

The Commission of the European Union wishes Austria to give up its blockade against a reform of the direction on the taxation of interest income. Austria stands by its oppositional attitude.

June 27, 2012

EU Discusses Growth and Employment Pact

Austria´s State Secretary Waldner at the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg: „Putting and end to the negative spiral“.

June 27, 2012

Austria Among More Expensive EU Countries

In 2011, the price levels varied from 51% of the EU27 average in Bulgaria to 142% in Denmark. Austria came at 107%.

June 26, 2012

Dismal Prospects for Schlecker Austria

An insolvency of Schlecker Austria seems likely. A sale to MTH is still uncertain.

June 25, 2012

Investment Attractivity: Poland Ranks Second

According to Ernst & Young, the most attractive location for investments in Europe is Germany, which is followed by its Eastern Neighbour Poland.

June 25, 2012

Albrecht: „We Will Remain Austrian“

AUA´s CEO explains that about 80% of the reorganization of Austrian Airlines has been achieved. The airline would be on the right way, Albrecht affirmed.

June 23, 2012

Alpine Establishes Joint Venture with German RGM

Alpine establishes the AFM - Austrian Facility Management joint venture with Germany's RGM.

June 23, 2012

Pankl: Major Contract of U.S. Subsidiary

Pankl Racing Systems AG - Sikorsky and Pankl Aerospace Systems enter into new long term supply agreement (Multi-Year VIII Contract).

June 22, 2012

Government´s Plans on Bank Insolvency Law Failed

The Austrian government initially planned to initiate a bank insolvency law in order to liquidate financially stricken banks without major difficulties. Now, the plan has failed.

June 22, 2012

Chemical Industry Warns of Investment Stop

Peter Untersperger, CEO of the fiber manufacturer Lenzing and chairman of the Austrian chemcial industry is very critical of the energy efficiency act.

June 22, 2012