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

European Economy: Nowotny Demonstrates Pessimism

This year, the economy of the Eurozone will shrink, the governor of Austrian National Bank says. Austria suffers from a weak domestic consumption, Nowotny explains.

February 15, 2013

“Financial transactions tax promotes fairness”

According to Austria´s Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Spindelegger, the financial transactions tax is strengthening the competitiveness in Europe through targeted reforms.

February 15, 2013

“2012 was a good year for the domestic banking industry”

Ihor Sorkin, governor of the National Bank of Ukraine underlines that the performance of the Ukrainian banking industry was satisfying last year.

February 12, 2013

Slovenia Faces New Elections

The Slovenian government is under massive pressure. A government collapse is more than likely.

February 11, 2013

Despite Budget Cut: Poland Receives More Money

“This is one of the happiest days of my life.” Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.

February 11, 2013

„Slovenia Will Become a Star Again“

In an interview with the Austrian daily newspaper “Presse”, Slovenia´s President Borut Pahor demonstrates optimism. He admits that many Slovenians feel injustice.

February 9, 2013

Voestalpine to Announce Decision on Expansion Into North America

The Austrian steel group plans a major investment in North America. According to voestalpine´s CEO Wolfgang Eder, the decision will be announced in February.

February 9, 2013

“Not Enough Support for Growth and Competitiveness“

Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries criticizes that the EU budget does not contain enough future investments.

February 9, 2013

Poland Underlines Necessity of Cohesion Funds

At the EU summit, Poland wants to secure as much cohesion payments in the next multiannual financial framework from 2014 to 2020.

February 7, 2013

Klaus Recommends to Split Eurozone

According to the outgoing Czech President, the separation of the eurozone would be cheaper than maintaining the currency union.

February 7, 2013

Voestalpine: CEO Eder Cautiously Optimistic

CEO Wolfgang Eder anticipates an economic recovery in the second half of 2013. Despite the difficult framework conditions, voestalpine´s management retains the earnings forecast.

February 7, 2013

Erdogan Met Orban in Budapest

Turkey´s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has met his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban in Budapest. Orban praised the success of Turkey´s government.

February 6, 2013

Turkish Airlines Expands Massively

According to CEO Temel Kotil, Turkish Airlines has an enormous growth potential. The function of Istanbul as hub between Asia and Europe is a crucial for Turkish Airlines.

February 6, 2013

Necas Supports Turkish EU Membership

On the occasion of Prime Minister Erdogan´s visit in Prague, his Czech counterpart Necas assured to support Turkey´s candidacy.

February 6, 2013

Rothensteiner: „Bank Taxes Cause a Cut in Lending”

Walter Rothensteiner, CEO of Austrian RZB (Raiffeisen Zentralbank) says that bank taxes have a detrimental impact on the economic development.

February 5, 2013

Serbia Faces Political Crisis

After severe allegations against Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, the Serbian governing socialists reject to hold new elections. The coalition partner still supports Dacic.

February 4, 2013

Tusk: “First Months Will be Most Difficult”

Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk explained that the Polish economy will recover in the second quarter of 2013.

February 4, 2013

Tusk: “Poland Becomes a Full Member of the EU”

Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Poland will join the Fiscal Pact. The conservative opposition rejects this step.

February 2, 2013

Schwarzenegger Calls for a “Sexy, Hip” Approach at the Vienna R20 Conference

Arnold Schwarzenegger called for an end to “doom and gloom” environmentalism and more of a “sexy, hip” approach at the Vienna R20 Conference.

February 1, 2013

Fekter: "Our measures are having an effect"

Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter pleased regarding preliminary administrative budget deficit.

February 1, 2013

Poland: Opposition Criticizes Government´s Economic Policy Sharply

Opposition leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski says that the government does not fight against the economic slowdown.

January 31, 2013

Nowotny Underlines Improving Outlook

Ewald Nowotny, governor of Austrian National Bank (OeNB) stresses that not many countries were upgraded by the rating agencies in the last years.

January 30, 2013 · Updated: January 30, 2013; 18:34

„Whatever Happens to the Euro, Happens to Our Currency“

In an interview with the Austrian daily newspaper “Kurier”, Latvia´s Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis explains why Latvia joins the Eurozone. However, the Latvians are not convinced at all.

January 30, 2013

“Operations of Austrian Banks in CESEE Region Are a Success Story“

Regarding the Austrian banking sector, governor of OeNB (Austrian Central Bank) Ewald Nowotny demonstrates cautious optimism.

January 30, 2013

Austria: Non Performing Loans on the Rise

According to RBI´s (Raiffeisen Bank International) CEO Herbert Stepic, the NPL quota has risen in Austria last year.

January 29, 2013

Peter Czapek becomes CEO of Bank Austria Real Invest

Gerhard Dreyer, 53, now responsible for Investment and Asset Management as well as Group Investments. Günter Hofbauer, 47, remains responsible for risk management and controlling.

January 29, 2013

„Our Future is Central and Eastern Europe“

Andreas Treichl, CEO of Austrian Erste Group, stresses the importance of the CESEE region and the necessity to become more efficient.

January 29, 2013

Czech Government Rejects New Elections

After Milos Zeman was elected as new President of the Czech Republic, he called for new elections. A change of government would be rather likely.

January 28, 2013

Slovenia: Jansa Rejects to Step Down

Despite the deep political and economic crisis, Slovenia´s Prime Minister Janez Jansa is clinging to power.

January 25, 2013

Slovenia: Government Collapses

Yesterday in the evening, the conservative coalition member CL has terminated the co-operation with Prime Minister Janez Jansa´s party SDS. Not only the political situation in Slovenia is precarious, but also the economic outlook is highly uncertain.

January 24, 2013

Erste Group´s CEO Wants to Create CESEE Stock Exchange

Andreas Treichl, CEO of the Austrian banking group, would like to create an alliance between CEE Stock Exchange Group (CEESEG) and Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE).

January 23, 2013

Austria´s Minister of Finance Pleased With Approval for Financial Transaction Tax

Participating States to present specific model soon, Maria Fekter says.

January 22, 2013

Europe of Tomorrow: The New Way of Thinking

Distinguished participants from industry, politics and the business community such as Václav Klaus, Jerzy Buzek, Franz Fischler, Martin Meyer, Jan Zielonka, Iain Begg, Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein are currently dicussing this issue in Vienna.

January 22, 2013

Fico: „Privatizations Were Our Biggest Mistake“

Slovakia´s Prime Minister Robert Fico thinks that the austerity policy in Europe is the wrong way.

January 21, 2013

Eder Reaffirms: „European Industrial Sector Is in Danger“

In an interview with the Austrian news magazine “Presse”, voestalpine´s CEO Wolfgang Eder criticizes the European industrial policy sharply.

January 21, 2013

Rostowski Calls for Further Interest Cuts

Polish minister of finance Jacek Rostowski wants NBP (Polish National Bank) to lower the base rate further.

January 21, 2013

Stepic on Austrian Banking Sector: „There is some Need for Reforms”

In an interview with the Austrian newspaper “Presse”, RBI`s (Raiffeisen Bank International) CEO Herbert Stepic explains that the current situation of the Austrian banking sector is ambiguous.

January 19, 2013 · Updated: January 19, 2013; 19:31

Klaus Recommends to Vote not for Schwarzenberg

Czech President Vaclav Klaus will stay in office until March. Klaus does not want Karel Schwarzenberg to become his successor.

January 19, 2013 · Updated: January 19, 2013; 15:47

WSE Has New Management

Adam Maciejewski will replace Ludwik Sobolewski as CEO of Warsaw Stock Exchange.

January 17, 2013

Benko Establishes Joint Venture with Israeli Investor

The Austrian real estate investor René Benko has found a partner. The joint venture will focus on commercial properties in Germany.

January 16, 2013

Nowotny: “The Worst Is Over”

OeNB´s (Austrian National Bank) governor Ewald Nowotny thinks that the economic situation in the Eurozone has become more stable.

January 16, 2013

Schwarzenberg Will Not Resign as Foreign Minister

The Czech presidential candidate and foreign minister Karel Schwarzenberg announced to remain in office until the second round of the elections.

January 16, 2013

Stepic: „CESEE Region Faces Challenging Year“

RBI´s (Raiffeisen Bank International) CEO Herbert Stepic explained that central, eastern and southeastern Europe is still Europe´s growth engine.

January 15, 2013

CESEE: Chakrabarti Expects Stabilization

In an interview with the Austrian news magazine „Standard“, EBRD´s President Suma Chakrabarti demonstrates cautious optimism. 2013 will be a better year for the CESEE region, he says.

January 14, 2013

Surprise in Czech Republic: Schwarzenberg Just Slightly Behind Zeman

The first presidential election round in the Czech Republic brought a surprise. Zeman ranks first with 24%. Schwarzenberg came in second place with 23%.

January 14, 2013 · Updated: January 14, 2013; 11:22

Rostowski Wants Further Interest Cuts

Poland´s Minister of Finance calls NBP (Polish National Bank) to continue the expansive monetary policy

January 11, 2013

Klaus Meets Merkel

Czech President Vaclav Klaus wants to persuade Merkel to stop the integration process in the EU.

January 10, 2013

Fekter: „We Almost Overcame the Crisis“

Austria´s minister of finance stresses the stability of the euro and points out that the economic crisis could be managed.

January 10, 2013

Slovenia: Jansa Receives Support

Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa receives support from his party SDS. The government crisis continues, though.

January 10, 2013

Serbia to Sign Loan Agreement with Russia

Tomorrow, Serbia´s Minister of Finance Mladjan Dinkic will visit Moscow.

January 10, 2013