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

Sikorsky and Pankl enter into new long Term Supply Agreement

Austrian Pankl Aerospace Systems wins first Sikorsky Entrepreneurial Challenge.

July 23, 2012

Rise in Public Debt Unstopped

In the Euro area, government debt was up to 88.2% of GDP. 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 23, 2012

Hutchison: „Telecommunication Network Overburdened in Two Years“

Jan Trionow, CEO of Hutchison Austria, appeals on authorities to approve the takeover of the competitor Orange. The Austrian telecommunication network will face capacity problems soon.

July 21, 2012

Austerity Program at RBI

Raiffeisen Bank International´s CEO Herbert Stepic is against a capital increase. The market conditions would be unfavorable.

July 20, 2012

MTH Takes Over Schlecker´ Subsidiary

MTH, the investment company of the Austrian industrialist Josef Taus acquires 109 branches of IhrPlatz, a subsidiary of the insolvent German chemist chain.

July 20, 2012

Novomatic Expands into U.K.

Astra Games Limited, part of the Austrian Novomatic Group confirmed that, the purchase of trade and assets of the Danoptra Group companies Gamestec Leisure, Bell-Fruit Games, RLMS Sales and Mazooma Interactive Games has now been formally concluded.

July 20, 2012

CA Immo Continues Sales in Berlin

The planned liquidation of land reserves in Berlin by the Austrian property company CA Immo is gathering pace.

July 20, 2012

Hutchison´s CEO: „Austria Benefits from Merger“

Hutchison Austria still holds on the acquisition of the third largest telecommunication service supplier Orange.

July 19, 2012

Austria Has Fourth Biggest Net Surplus

The EU27 current account shows a deficit € 4.1bn. € 31.1bn surplus for trade in services.

July 19, 2012

U.S. Zumiez Acquires Austrian Action Sports Retailer

Blue Tomato Sold for € 60m. Zumiez Inc. Acquires Leading Austrian Action Sports Retailer

July 18, 2012

Schlecker Austria: Time Pressure Grows

The potential buyers of Schlecker Austria are still highly skeptical. Until August, a decision must be taken.

July 18, 2012

Fischer Signs ESM and Fiscal Pact

The Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer approves the parliamentary referanda on the highly controversial ESM and Fiscal Pact. Now, only a constitutional complaint may prevent these issues.

July 17, 2012

Switzerland: Popular Vote on Tax Treaty with Austria?

The bilateral tax treaty should bring Austria up to € 1.0bn After the treaty is signed and ratified, a popular vote may prevent the deal now.

July 17, 2012

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