Sponsored Content
Vienna International Community - Top Diplomats - Latest Headlines
Read updated news about key diplomats in Vienna's international community,e.g. changes in diplomatic personnel in Austria & at Austrian representations abroad


Austria: Unemployment Will Not Stop Increasing

In September, the number of persons unemployed continued to increase while employment rose slightly. In total, a number of 335,661 persons were jobless which makes an increase of 13.8 percent on an annual comparison.
October 1, 2013


Slovenian Government to Approve Adjusted Budget

The Slovenian government today plans on implementing the revised budget for next year and the draft for the 2015 budget.
September 30, 2013


Austria: IV Warns Policy-Makers

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) considers the low voter’s turnout as an alarming sign.
September 30, 2013


Austrian Elections 2013: Government Punished by the Voters

The two governing parties SPÖ and ÖVP have reached their worst results ever. Nevertheless, nothing will change in Austria.
September 29, 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


Croatia Plans on Increasing VAT by Three Percent

Croatia eyes increased intermediate VAT from 10 to 13%.
September 27, 2013


Austria: Kapsch Demands Reform Agenda From New Government

Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) demands the next federal government to introduce a comprehensive reform agenda.
September 27, 2013


Croatia: Entry into Schengen Important, Not Decisive

Croatia plans to apply for accession to the Schengen passport-free area in two years.
September 27, 2013


Slovenia: PM Takes International Bailout into Consideration

For the first time the crisis-struck Eurozone member country has admitted to consider international bailout as an option for its ailing banks.
September 26, 2013


Slovenia: Controversies Over New Budget

Slovenia´s Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek links the approval to the austerity budget to a vote of confidence.
September 25, 2013


RHI: Growth Plans in Emerging Markets

Franz Struzl, CEO of producer of fused cast refractories RHI, announced that the long-term strategic corporate goals were still relevant. However, it is not clear when the targets will be reached.
September 24, 2013


Austria: SPÖ and ÖVP Hold Slight Majority of Votes

According to the latest survey, the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) will have to face losses in the elections of the National Assembly on Sunday. However, they should be able to hold the majority.
September 24, 2013


Leitl: “Grand Coalition Did Not Fulfill Expectations“

Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO), favors a change in the governing parties as the grand coalition has not realized the necessary reforms.
September 24, 2013


RBI: Sevelda to Remain CEO unil 2017

Karl Sevelda, who was appointed new CEO of listed Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) at the beginning of June, does not regard himself as interim head of the bank.
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


Slovenia in a Decisive Phase

According to Bostjan Jazbec, Govenor of the Bank of Slovenia, the coming weeks will be critical for the small Eurozone member country.
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


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


Slovenia: First Budget Surplus in 2013

For the first time this year, Slovenia shows a budget surplus of € 15m. However, the deficit of the first eight months is as high as € 1.3bn, according to data by the Finance Ministry.
September 20, 2013


Slovenia: Privatization Program to Boost FDI?

The government of the financially ailing country is forced to privatize a substantial part of the publicly held companies. Prime Minister Bratusek hopes foreign direct investments to increase.
September 20, 2013


WKO: Austrian Enterprises Miss out on Potential in Turkey

According to a commercial councelor at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) in Istanbul, Austria is focused too much on Eastern Europe. Switzerland exports triple the amount to Turkey.
September 19, 2013


Romania Is Recovering According to PM

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta presented the key issues on the new agreement with the EU Commission, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to the parliament on Tuesday.
September 19, 2013


RBI: Lennkh Takes Over Divisions of Sevelda

Peter Lennkh takes over responsibility for Corporate Business within the Managing Board of RBI.
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


Austria: ÖVP Rejects Tax Reforms by Social Democrats

Chancellor and Leader of the Social Democrats Werner Faymann is in favor of lower taxes on wages. His model includes reliefs of up to € 1,011 annually. However, coalition partner, the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) rejects the plans.
September 18, 2013


EU Commissioner Füle Encourages Albania

EU Commissioner Štefan Füle discusses Albania's path to EU with new PM
September 18, 2013


Treichl: Requirements for Banks Increased Massively

According to the CEO of Erste Group, the requirements for banks have increased by three to six times. Moreover it has become harder for banks to finance small and medium sized enterprises (SME).
September 17, 2013


Barroso: “Albania’s Future Is in The European Union”

President of the EU Commission Barroso is confident about Albania’s commitment.
September 17, 2013


Austria: Fekter Demands “More Intelligent Model“ for Hypo

Finance Minister Fekter plans on introducing a “more creative model“ than a bad bank.
September 17, 2013


Social Responsibility: Richard Branson to Participate at future.talk 2013

In line with his core message "Do good, have fun and the money will come" British entrepreneur, pioneer and self-made billionaire Sir Richard Branson will speak in Vienna on October 8, 2013 about sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship.
September 17, 2013


Gazprom to Team Up With Macedonia

Russian energy giant Gazprom is interested in cooperating with FYR Macedonia.
September 17, 2013


Leitl Recommends Parties Not to Raise Hopes

President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Christoph Leitl considers the demand of the Social Democrats and Chancellor Werner Faymann for a tax relief as soon as 2015 utopian.
September 17, 2013


EU Commission to Sanction Croatia

The EU Commission is determined to start sanction against the newest member of the European Union, Croatia.
September 16, 2013


Bank Austria Considers Establishing Franchise Banks in Austria

The streamlining of the CESEE network of Bank Austria seems to take on a very concrete form now.
September 16, 2013


Croatia, Slovenia and Italy in Favor of Closer Cooperation

Italian, Croatian and Slovenian PMs push for stronger cooperation.
September 16, 2013


Bulgaria: President Delivers Warning

Bulgaria's President delivers a strong warning about the country’s long-term instability.
September 16, 2013


Faymann: New Government Will Be Smaller

In an interview with Austrian daily “Österreich“ (Sunday issue) Chancellor Faymann announced that the new government will be reduced by two members of parliament.
September 16, 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


Serbia Welcomes Russian FDI

Serbian Prime Minister announced that his country was interested in Russian investments.
September 13, 2013


Austria: Construction Company Porr to Buy Prajo-Group

Take over as an ideal supplement for the portfolio of Porr in the demolition and recycling sector.
September 13, 2013


Austria: Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor Lose in Trust Index

Compared to the results of last month, both Chancellor Werner Faymann and his Deputy Michael Spindelegger have lost the voters’ trust according to the APA/OGM Trust Index that was carried out on a sample of 500 persons.
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: 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


Schieder: IMF Confirms SPÖ-Claims

State Secretary for Finances, Andreas Schieder regards the demands by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a confirmation of those by the Social Democrats (SPÖ).
September 11, 2013


Turkish Airlines Not Interested in Croatia Airlines

The Turkish airline carrier has denied rumors of acquiring states at Croatia Airlines.
September 11, 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


Austria: Spindelegger Confident About Becoming New Chancellor

The intense elections campaign for the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) has officially started on Tuesday. Deputy Chancellor and party leader Spindelegger promised more jobs and housing space.
September 11, 2013


Czech Republic: One Third to Vote for CSSD

According to a poll, 28 percent of Czechs would vote for the Czech Social Democratic Party (CSSD) if an election was held now.
September 10, 2013


Faymann Underlines Necessity of Property Taxes

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann (SPÖ) calls for new taxes. In total, property taxes should bring tax revenues of more than € 2.0bn.
September 9, 2013