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

Hungary: Foreign Trade Grows Sligthly

Export and import volumes grew by more than 5% in October. In the first ten months, exports were up by 2.4%.

December 21, 2012

Czech Parliament Resolves VAT Increase

After months of controversies, the Czech Chamber of Deputies approved the government´s taxation plans.

December 21, 2012

Czech Republic: Euro Introduction No Issue Yet

The Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas explained that the Czech Republic does not strive for becoming a member of the Eurozone.

December 21, 2012

Russia´s Budget Deficit Higher than Expected

This year, Russia will record a budget deficit of 0.25% of GDP.

December 20, 2012

Poland: Recovery in Mid-2013

Poland´s new Deputy Prime Minister Janusz Piechocinski forecasts an upward trend beginning in the second half of next year.

December 20, 2012

Czech Republic: Interest Rate Remains Unchanged

The council of CNB (Czech National Bank) decided to let the interest rate at 0.05%.

December 19, 2012

EU: Exports to Russia Decline

EU27 deficit in trade of goods with Russia down to 65 bn euro in the first nine months of 2012.

December 19, 2012

Ukraine: Fiscal Policy Faces Unsolved Problems

The budget draft for 2013 provides no room for the fiscal consolidation, which looks incompatible with the IMF requirements.

December 19, 2012

Ukraine: Current Account Deficit Grows Significantly

Balance of payments deficit almost doubled in October – to USD 2.0 bn - amid sharp reversal in the capital flows and widening C/A deficit, Raiffeisen Research says.

December 19, 2012

Komorowski: “Poland Needs Euro”

Poland´s President Bronislaw Komorowski wants his country to join the Eurozone. Now, the government has to convince the people, he says.

December 19, 2012

Ukraine: Real Economic Sector Disappointing

The State Statistics Committee confirmed its preliminary estimate of -1.3% yoy GDP growth rate in Q3 2012 (GDP grew 2% and 3% yoy in Q1 and Q2 respectively).

December 18, 2012

Romanian Post to be Privatized

In total, 51% of the company will be sold. The Romanian state will keep a 24% stake in Post.

December 18, 2012

Ukraine: Reform Pressure Grows

Mykola Azarov is reappointed as Prime-minister, facing tough challenges ahead, Raiffeisen Research states.

December 18, 2012

Hungary: Earnings Grow by 4.%

In the national economy – at corporations employing at least 5 persons, budgetary and designated non-profit institutions – average gross earnings increased by 4.5% in nominal terms.

December 18, 2012

Annual Assembly of the Municipal Councillors for European Affairs in Vienna

At the second general assembly of the members of the initiative of Municipal Councillors for European Affairs held at Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna today, the 500th member of the initiative was welcomed.

December 18, 2012

Hungary Continues Downward Trend

In the third quarter, Hungary´s GDP contracted by 1.5%, OECD says. The whole year will bring similar results.

December 18, 2012

Austria´s EU Contributions to Increase Substantially

Austria is expected not only to lose its discount, but also to receive lower subsidies.

December 18, 2012

Erste Group: Massive Cuts in Romania

Due to the weak performance of BCR, the Austrian bank plans to lay off 1,600 employees in Romania. BCR´s NPL quota remains on a high level.

December 18, 2012

Ponta to Remain as Prime Minister

Despite heavy dispute with Ponta, Romania´s President Traian Basescu announced to swear him as Prime Minister. Basescu has no other choice.

December 17, 2012

S&P Downgrades Croatia

Croatia´s Minister of Finance Slavko Linic does not exclude that Croatia needs support from the IMF next year.

December 17, 2012

Hungary: Construction Output Increased by 1.4%

In October 2012, construction increased by 1.4% in output year-on-year. Within this, the construction of buildings decreased by 0.3% and that of civil engineering works grew by 2.7%.

December 17, 2012

Hungary: Industrial Production Declines

The volume of industrial production decreased by 1.7% in October.

December 14, 2012

EU Guarantees Stability of Czech Banking Sector

The Czech Republic will not use its right to veto. In return, the EU guarantees the stability of the Czech financial sector.

December 14, 2012

Banking Supervision to Control Nine Austrian Banks

Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter announces that nine Austrian banking groups will be supervised by the new banking supervision authority.

December 13, 2012

Hungary: Financial Transaction Tax May Increase

As the tax proceeds are behind the government´s expectations, the controversial tax may increase

December 13, 2012

Immofinanz Develops New Project in Poland

The Austrian real estate company expands activities in Poland: Start of construction on Nimbus office development project

December 13, 2012

CA Immo: Gazprom New Tenant

ZAO AVIELEN A.G., a joint venture of the Austrian real estate companies Warimpex, CA Immo and UBM, is renting two thirds of its office space at AirportCity St. Petersburg to Gazprom Invest Zapad, a subsidiary of OAO Gazprom.

December 13, 2012

IMF to Visit Hungary Again

In January, the International Monetary Fund will come to Budapest. The talks between the Hungarian government and IMF were postponed several times.

December 12, 2012

Hungary Resolves 2013 Budget

Today, Hungary´s Parliament approved the budget for 2013, which contains a number of tax increases. According to critics, the budget will not hold.

December 12, 2012

Czech Finance Minister: „No Reason to Veto Banking Union“

The Czech Minister of Finance Miroslav Kalousek announced that the Czech Republic has no concerns against the banking union in the Eurozone.

December 12, 2012

Poland Grants State Aid to LOT

Poland´s national airline LOT gets financial support of more than € 100m.

December 12, 2012

WIFO: South Europe Needs Change in Strategy

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) underlines that the austerity policy in South European countries did not help at all.

December 12, 2012

Orange Takeover Finally Approved

After more than ten months, the EU Commission approved the takeover of the third-largest Austrian telecommunication operator by the competitor Hutchison Austria.

December 12, 2012

Czech Republic: Migration Declines

The population of the Czech Republic increased by 7.8 thousand to 10 513.2 thousand during the first three quarters of 2012.

December 12, 2012

Polish National Bank Criticized

Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski thinks that NBP (National Bank of Poland) does not cut interest rates quickly enough.

December 11, 2012

Hungary: Inflation Grows Further

In November consumer prices increased by 5.2% compared to November 2011.

December 11, 2012

Turkey Is Losing Momentum

Turkey´s economic growth begins flatten. In the third quarter, GDP growth only reached 1.6%.

December 10, 2012

Czech Unemployment on the Rise

In November, the Czech unemployment quota reached 8.7% after 8.5% in the previous month.

December 10, 2012

Romania: Basescu Under Pressure

After the decisive victory of Prime Minister Ponta, Romania´s President Traian Basescu has no other alternative than to appoint Ponta again.

December 10, 2012

Czech Construction Output Decreases

In October 2012 the construction output decreased by 4.3%, year-on-year (y-o-y), in real terms. Even a higher number of working days has not stopped the decline in construction output.

December 10, 2012

Czech Industry: More Working days, More Production

In October 2012, industrial production increased at constant prices by 4.1%, year-on-year; working days adjusted industrial production decreased by 3.3%.

December 10, 2012

CA Immo: New Tenants in Hungary

CA Immo was able to acquire new tenants for some 9,300 sqm office space in five Hungarian office properties over the past six months.

December 10, 2012

Ukraine Faces Recession

For the first time since 2009, Ukraine recorded a negative growth rate last quarter. Weak exports and a shrinking industrial sector are the most pressing issues.

December 8, 2012

Croatia Considers Leasing Out Highways

In order to reduce the budget deficit, Croatia plans to privatize its highway network.

December 8, 2012

Orange-Takeover: Commission to Announce Decision Next Week

EU Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said that the final decision will be published next week. The deal is likely to be approved.

December 8, 2012

Russia Starts South Stream Pipeline

Today, the Russian gas group Gazprom has officially begun the construction works of the pipeline project.

December 7, 2012

Hungary: Recession Deepens

The gross domestic product of Hungary decreased by 1.5% in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

December 7, 2012

Slovakia: Strong Increase in Foreign Trade

In September 2012, compared with the corresponding period last year, the total export of goods increased by 9,6 % to EUR 5 616,6 million and the total import by 7,7 % to EUR 5 277,3 million.

December 7, 2012

Czech Republic: Recession Continues

In Q3 2012, the gross domestic product adjusted for price, seasonal, and calendar effects decreased according to the refined estimate by 1.3%, year-on-year (y-o-y), and by 0.3%, quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q).

December 7, 2012

Czech Republic: Highest Exports and Imports Ever Recorded

In October 2012, according to preliminary data of ‘border statistics’, current price exports and imports rose by 7.5% and 8.2%, year-on-year (y-o-y), respectively.

December 7, 2012