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Austria and France - Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, investment, diplomacy, culture and tourism

Austria: Fitch Warns Banks of Risk with Business in Russia

The menacing sanctions against Russia with regard to the political crisis in Crimea could become a severe danger for Austrian banks.

April 1, 2014

S&P: European Banking Sector Faces Worse Ratings

According to the rating agency, the public support for the European banking sector is essential in many cases. Without financial support, banks might be downgraded.

March 5, 2014

Austrian Banks with Significant Exposure in Ukraine

Ukrainian crisis hits Western Banks in different state compared to 2008/09, according to RBI.

February 27, 2014

Foreign Banks Leaving Bulgarian Market

In the past three years three non-domestic banks have left the Bulgarian market.

January 24, 2014

CEE: Insolvencies Declining But Larger Effect

The number of insolvencies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is declining. However, the individual insolvencies are becoming larger, as reported by French credit insurer Coface.

January 23, 2014

Bank Austria Generates Fresh Capital

On Monday, January 13, UniCredit Bank Austria issued its first mortgage bond for 2014 to strengthen its capital base.

January 14, 2014

European Union: Private Trading of Banks to be Restricted

The European Union intends to severly restrict risky private trading of banks.

January 7, 2014

AXA Leaves Hungary

Austrian Vienna Insurance Group takes over 100% of AXA Hungary.

December 27, 2013

No Major Progresses in Banking Union

Tuesday night the Finance Ministers of the European Union have gradually approached on the outstanding issues in the handling with banks threatened by bankruptcy.

December 11, 2013

Poland: BGZ Bank Taken Over by BNP Paribas

Polish BGZ Bank will be taken over by French BNP Paribas for a selling price of around € 1bn.

December 5, 2013

Hungary: Economic Acceleration Takes Form

According to French BNP, the Hungarian economy starts to grow again. Nevertheless, the banking industry does not face better times yet.

November 29, 2013

Eurozone: Nouy New Manager of ECB’s Banking Suvervision

Daniele Nouy will become the new head of the ECB’s banking supervision.

November 21, 2013

Austrian Banking Sector: NPL at Eurozone´s Top

In the Eurozone, the non-performing loans are still growing. In total, 7.8% of the loan portfolio is risky. Austrian banks are significantly above the average.

October 30, 2013

Eurozone: Economy Starting to Grow

Experts at Ernst&Young; forecast economic growth of 0.9 percent in 2014 in consequence of an improved global economic performance.

October 21, 2013

Austria Remains Main Investor in Slovenia

Last year, almost the half of the foreign direct investments in Slovenia came from Austria.

October 11, 2013

Austria: Weak Growth Impulses

Today, the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (Wifo) has corrected the economic outlooks for Austria downwards. Growth impulses have been very weak so far.

September 10, 2013

Erdogan Considers Leaving U.N.

Turkey´s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan puts pressure on the United Nations. The representation of the Security Council is not balanced, Erdogan criticizes.

August 26, 2013

Eurozone: Strongest Growth Rates in Two Years

The Eurozone continues to recover. Businesses in industrial production and in the service sector increased to a new high in more than two years. However, growth in both sectors is still not enough for the creation of new jobs.

August 22, 2013

Czech Republic to Crawl out of Recession

In the second quarter the Czech economy grew by 0.7 percent compared to the first quarter.

August 15, 2013

End of Recession Supports Stock Exchanges in Europe

The Eurozone seems to have finally left recession behind. This is one of the reasons why markets closed trades with a plus on Wednesday.

August 15, 2013

Romania: Significant Drop in Purchase Power

General consumption climate is unfavorable in Europe at the moment.

August 12, 2013

20,000 Bank Shops Have Closed Since Beginning of Crisis

60 percent of the costs in the business with private clients are caused by bank shops. Still, banks are hesitant to close them as they fear the loss of long-term clients.

August 12, 2013

Moody´s Downgrades Austrian Verbund

The rating agency lowers the rating of the Austrian energy group from „A3“ to „Baa1“.

August 2, 2013

Austria: Verbund to Take Austerity Measures

Only a few months ago, CEO of Verbund Wolfgang Anzengruber promised that “2013 will become the best year in the company’s history”. However, there have been bad news for the energy company ever since.

August 1, 2013

Summit of Former Yugoslav Countries

Balkan leaders meet to support EU Accession.

July 26, 2013

Gazprom Runs Risk Of Losing Leading Position

Currently, only state-controlled energy giant Gazprom is permitted to export gas. Due to cooperations with French Total and Chinese enterprises, Moscow now intends to open the market.

July 9, 2013

Bolivia: “We Don’t Need a US Embassy“

Bolivian President Morales is still infuriated over the flight incident and considers closing of US embassy in La Paz. He is supported by his counterparts from Venezuela and Ecuador.

July 5, 2013

Vienna: Bolivian President Allowed to Continue Journey

Bolivan President Evo Morales had to land in Vienna after several European countries – among them Spain, France and Portugal – refused the right to overfly.

July 3, 2013

Turkey Becoming Important Global Investor

According to the latest survey by UNCTAD, Turkey has become an important investor.

June 28, 2013

Borealis to Invest EUR 65 Million in Porvoo Borstar PE Plant

Borealis, a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers, has announced a major upgrading project at its production site in Porvoo, Finland.

June 28, 2013

Polish Road Authority As Tardy Payer

Prime Minister Tusk seems unimpressed about ambassadors from six countries filing a complaint.

June 19, 2013

WKO Export Day in Vienna

On June 20, the Export Day (Exporttag) of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) will take place in Vienna. Economic delegates from all over the world will be present.

June 8, 2013

World Competitive Ranking: Austria Loses 7 Ranks

The World Competitive Ranking of Lausanne IMD Private School of Economics has become one of the most significant location comparisons on an international basis in the last 25 years.

May 29, 2013

Czech Republic: Russia to Offer Significant Investments in Return for Temelin Tender

Czech Prime Minister Necas emphasized on the transparency of the decision.

May 28, 2013

Turkey: Next Step Towards EU

According to Reuters, Turkey can now hope for its long-awaited next step towards an EU entry in June. France has lifted its opposition to the country’s EU Accession talks. Experts point out the great economic potential the country offers.

May 28, 2013

OMV to Sell Nabucco Shares

OMV sells part of Nabucco West shares to GDF SUEZ.

May 28, 2013

FCC Wants Guggenheim Partners As Financial Ally

With debts having amounted to more than € 8bn, Spanish parent company of Alpine is now looking for potential financial partners.

May 24, 2013

Main Investors at CEE Stock Exchange Group from US

Institutional Investors and the CEE Stock Exchange Group in 2012.

May 13, 2013

Romania: BRD Shows Extensive Decrease Profits

Romania's second-largest bank BRD profit down by 84%.

May 7, 2013

Istanbul to Receive € 22bn for World's Largest Airport

Today, a Turkish construction consortium has secured itself a record sum of around € 22bn for the contract of the construction of the world’s biggest airport in Istanbul.

May 3, 2013

Austria: Haselsteiner to Increase Share at Westbahn

Hans Peter Haselsteiner, CEO of Strabag, is going to increase his stake in Westbahn to 47 %, the railway company, which is in majority privately held and main competition for Austrian Railways (ÖBB).

April 23, 2013

Fekter: „Austria is a High-Tax Country“

Bank secrecy will be an official issue at the meeting of EU finance ministers in Dublin on Saturday. Fekter criticizes the UK sharply.

April 11, 2013

Serbia: Vucic „Deeply Disappointed“

Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has given up hope for a new date in June for the beginning of EU accession negotiations. Russian Prime Minister Medvedev expressed support.

April 11, 2013

Bad Outlook for Slovenia’s Economy

Slovenia receives bad marks in a report by the EU Commission. Together with Spain, Slovenia’s economy is endagered to collapse in case measures will not be made in the next few weeks.

April 11, 2013

Fekter: “I Will Fight to Preserve Banking Secrecy in Austria!”

“Data protection is a valuable institution. We will continue to protect innocent citizens, but will also continue to lead the way in pursuing tax evaders.”

April 8, 2013

Austrians Poorer Than Italians or Spaniards?

According to a study carried out by the German Central Bank (Bundesbank) assets of private households in Austria is less than in Italy or Spain.

March 22, 2013

Cyprus: Negotiations About “Plan B“ Today

After days of negotiations in Moscow, Cyprian Finance Minister had to return empty-handed. Talks about “plan B” will continue today.

March 22, 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

Borealis to Acquire Outstanding Shares of TOTAL Affiliate GPN SA

Borealis, an Austrian provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, has made a firm offer to TOTAL to purchase all outstanding shares of GPN SA, France’s largest nitrogen fertilizer manufacturer.

February 7, 2013

Immofinanz Continues Sales in Vienna

The Austrian real estate company continues the implementation of its real estate sales programme. Besides that, Immofinanz decides to leave France.

February 4, 2013