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France in Austria | French citizens in Vienna | Bilateral Relations
Austria and France - Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, investment, diplomacy, culture and tourism


Government Debt Increased to 82.6% of GDP in Austria and to 92.7% in Euro Area

At the end of the second quarter of 2014, the government debt to GDP ratio in the euro area (EA18) stood at 92.7%, compared with 91.9% at the end of the first quarter of 2014. Austria's government debt rose to 82.6 percent of GDP in Q2 2014 from 81.3 percent in Q1.
October 23, 2014


Poland's Donald Tusk to Become European Council President

Current council president Herman Van Rompuy tweeted the announcement from the EU summit. Mr Tusk, Poland's centre-right prime minister since 2007, will become the European Council's president. Italy's Federica Mogherini, a centre-left politician and foreign minister will replace the UK's Catherine Ashton as EU foreign policy chief.
August 30, 2014


Analysis: Russia - Assessment of EU and Tightened US Sanctions

Special analysis covering the most recent escalation in terms of Western economic and financial sanctions against Russia: EU and US sending bold diplomatic signals without inflicting too much near-term economic and financial damage. In comparison to the US sanctions by the EU are capped in duration. Recent escalation adds to uncertainty in doing business with Russia, which is an ultimate goal of sanctions. Near-term impact of current sanctions still limited, which implies a risk that they may remain for longer.
July 31, 2014


Austrian FDI: Current Developments 1Q 2014

In the first quarter of 2014, Austrian FDI abroad reached a value of 2.8 billion euros, which is less by about 30% than in the same period of 2013. Foreign direct investments in the same period into Austria stood at 1.4 billion euros. This is about 37% less than in the same period of last year.
July 29, 2014


Cost of Living Rankings: CEE Capitals Cheaper, Vienna is 32nd Most Expensive City

The Mercer's 2014 Cost of Living Rankings have been published and cover 211 cities across five continents. While Western European cities have all risen in the rankings mainly due to the strengthening of the Euro against the US dollar, most cities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), however have fallen in the ranking as a result of local currencies depreciating against the US dollar. Bratislava (#84), Prague (#92), Kiev (#98), Ljubljana (#116), Zagreb (#120), Budapest (#135), Warsaw (#142), Belgrade (#184).
July 25, 2014


TTIP-Myths and Realities According to AmCham Austria

The American Chamber of Commerce in Austria (AmCham Austria) promotes the expansion and strengthening of trade and commerce relations between Austria and the US. Talks on a future EU-US trade deal started in July 2013 and are set to continue throughout 2014. The talks are part of a trade and investment deal, known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP.
June 3, 2014


Switzerland: IMD Releases the World Competitiveness Yearbook Ranking 2014

The US leads, Europe recovers, and big emerging markets struggle.
May 22, 2014


Exporttag: Meet All Austrian Trade Delegates at the Export Day 2014

On June 24, 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.
May 20, 2014


“Romania Can Never Become the China of Europe”

Stabilization in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) is becoming stronger. However, the political crisis in Ukraine is causing a feeling of insecurity among the population.
May 15, 2014


Nexans to Build Plant in Bulgaria

According to the Bulgarian Economy Ministry, French cable car constructor Nexans will establish a plant employing 600 persons.
May 12, 2014


CEE: Surge in Sales for French Lafarge

The French building material group Lafarge saw a strong increase in sales in Romania and Eastern Europe in general.
May 9, 2014


Michelin to Downsize in Hungary

French tyre producer Michelin announced to shut down ist tyre plant in Budapest and relocate to Romania.
May 9, 2014


Situation for Austrian Banks in Russia is “Sensitive”

According to the latest statistics, Austrian banks are considerably more engaged in Russia than assumed so far. Debts to domestic financial institutes amount to € 50bn.
April 29, 2014


Poland: BNP Paribas Bank Polska Hopes for Higher Profits

Because of the merger with BGZ Bank BNP Paribas Bank Polska, the Polish branch of the French financial giant, expects a growth of return on equity (ROE) in the double-digit figures.
April 24, 2014


Romania: BRD Group Societe General with High Expectations

The Romanian lender intends to increase its lending by four percent in 2014.
April 23, 2014


Struggling Insurance Industry

Despite favorable results last year the European insurance market has to face a number of adverse factors.
April 23, 2014


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


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