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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

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

OeNB Does Not Bring Gold Reserves to Austria

Unlike Deutsche Bundesbank, the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) does not transfer the gold reserves from London back home.

January 17, 2013

Labor Time: Austrians Rank Second in EU

Only employees in the UK record more weekly working hours. On average, the working time came at 41.8 hours per week in Austria.

January 10, 2013

Juncker´s Succession: Faymann Out of the Race

The talks about the succession of Jean-Claude Juncker as chairman of the Euro-Group are going on. Austria´s Chancellor has only little prospects.

December 6, 2012

Faymann as Juncker´s Successor?

Austria´s Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann is said to have relatively good prospects to become head of the Euro Group.

December 4, 2012

Austria and France Develop European Alpine Strategy

Austria´s State Secretary Lopatka discussed current issues of European policy with Minister of European Affairs Cazeneuve and Minister of Development Cooperation Canfin in Paris on 23 November

November 27, 2012

Support for Financial Transaction Tax Keeps Within Limits

In order to introduce the tax, nine countries must agree thereon. The time pressure is growing.

October 6, 2012

Financial Transaction Tax: Austrian Government Under Pressure

In its last austerity package, the Austrian government has anticipated a financial transaction tax to be introduced in 2014. The time pressure is growing.

October 2, 2012

Fekter Promotes Financial Transaction Tax

The Austrian Minister of Finance wrote a letter to the EU Commission. She argues that a financial transaction tax would be economically reasonable.

October 1, 2012

Public Debt: New EU Members Are More Flexible

Compared to old EU member states, the new member states have more fiscal leeway to overcome the crisis.

September 24, 2012

Total, OMV and Repsol pay € 48m for Test Drillings in Bulgaria´s Black Sea

Bulgaria wants to reduce its dependence on Russian energy. The consortium has paid € 48m to Bulgaria.

September 22, 2012

EU: Germany Biggest Net Payer, Poland Biggest Net Recipient

In 2011, Poland received EU-aids of € 11bn. Among the new EU members, Hungary ranks second. In terms of GDP, Hungary is the biggest beneficiary.

September 21, 2012

Tusk: Good Prospects to Become Head of EU Commission

According to the German magazine “Der Spiegel”, the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is considered as favorite candidate for the next President of the EU Commission.

September 11, 2012

Euro-Crisis Enters Austria

In the second quarter, the Austrian GDP only grew by 0.1%, WIFO says (Austrian Institute of Economic Research). A recession is not excluded anymore.

September 10, 2012

Despite Approved Orange Takeover: Deal is Uncertain

Canning Fok, CEO of the Hong Kong-based telecommunication operator is surprised of the announcement oft he authorities to examine the deal between Orange, Hutchison and Telekom Austria thoroughly.

July 30, 2012

Moody´s to Watch Austria Carefully

After the U.S. rating agency has lowered the outlook for the AAA-countries Germany, Netherlands and Luxembourg, Austria´s rating will be checked thoroughly.

July 24, 2012

Iveco Shuts Down Austrian Factory

Fiat´s Subsidiary Iveco plans to close five factories in Europe. In total, 1,075 workers will be laid off. In Austria, 110 workers are affected.

July 2, 2012

Orange Sale: EU Commission is Concerned too

After the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) expressed its concerns about the acquisition of Orange by Hutchison Austria, the EU Commission announces to deepen its examination.

June 29, 2012

Euro-Crisis Continues

According to RCB, the factional dispute between Germany and France decisive for the eurozone. An easing of the situation is not expected.

June 29, 2012

Orange Deal: „Federal Competition Authority is Ignorant“

The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (BWB) has to examine the takeover of Orange by Hutchison Austria thoroughly. The patience of all parties is limited.

June 28, 2012

Fekter Promotes Financial Transaction Tax

There was no agreement on a common financial transaction tax in all EU member states. Austria´s Finance Minister Fekter wants to introduce the tax in a group of countries instead.

June 23, 2012

Orange: Takeover Is Questionable

The takeover of the third-biggest telecommunication operator in Austria by the Hong Kong-based Hutchison may fail.

June 22, 2012

Orange Takeover to be Postponed

The Commission of the EU identified several shortcomings in the takeover of Orange by the Hong Kong based Hutchison.

June 15, 2012

The Euro - A Big Error (Part 4)

The common currency did not create convergence, but widened the gap between Northern and Southern Eurozone member states.

May 31, 2012

Fekter Emphasizes: „Eurobonds Do Not Solve Debt Problem“

Maria Fekter, Austria´s Minister of Finance, thinks that the idea of common bonds is no real solution, but only symptom fighting.

May 26, 2012

Fekter: Hollande´s Suggestions are “Nonsense”

Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger and Finance Minister Fekter are strictly against the introduction of Eurobonds and any amendments of the Fiscal Treaty.

May 22, 2012

Greece: „The Markets were too Euphoric“

In an interview with the Austrian newspaper “Standard”, the Austrian analyst Friedrich Mostböck thinks that the European debt crisis will remain a major challenge.

May 7, 2012

Verbund Wants to Leave France

After the sale of its stake in Poweo, the Austrian energy company intends to sell the remaining gas power plants in France.

May 5, 2012

Hervis Cooperates with Frenche Go Sport Group

The Austrian and the French sports traders establish the joint venture “Sports Trade & Marketing International”.

May 2, 2012

Business Insolvencies Expected to Increase

After two years of decreasing business insolvencies, the Austrian economy faces a rising number of business insolvencies again.

April 26, 2012

Dexia Fights Austrian KA Finanz Capital Cut

Franco-Belgian bank Dexia is contesting an equity capital cut at Austrian state-owned "bad bank" KA Finanz.

April 24, 2012

Verbund Focuses Investments on Austria

The Austrian energy company plans investments of € 2.4bn in the next five years. About 66% of these investments will be made in Austria.

April 12, 2012

EStAG Reports Moderate Rise in Earnings

The Styrian energy supplier Energie Steiermark AG could raise revenues by 9.0% to 1.37bn. Operating profits were down, though.

March 30, 2012

Strong Rise in Sales at Hutchison

The Austrian subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based telecommunication service supplier recorded an increase of 30% in sales.

March 30, 2012

Austrian Exports to France Exceed € 5.0bn

In 2011, Austrian exports to France were up by 10.2%. France remains one of Austria´s most important trading partners.

March 28, 2012

Losses at Verbund´s French Subsidiary Poweo

With consolidated revenue totalling € 503.4m, down 27.7%, the Group ended the year with a net loss of € 63.4m, due mainly to losses at the generation business and various write-downs

March 23, 2012

Orange Takeover Threatens to Fail

The takeover of Austria´s third-largest telecommunication service supplier Orange by the Hong Kong-based Hutchison Group may be postponed. Orange´s creditors are increasingly nervous.

March 22, 2012

Verbund Faces Competition from Russia

The Russian energy group Inter Rao is interested in the Milan-based Sorgenia. Austrian Verbund holds 45% in Sorgenia.

March 20, 2012

Austrian Government Holds on Financial Transaction Tax

In spite of discordance at the EU-level, the Austrian government is convinced to impose taxes on financial transactions by 2014.

March 17, 2012

French and Austrian Automobile Clusters to Cooperate Closer

A delegation of French automobile companies will be received in Graz in order to intensify technologic cooperation.

March 2, 2012

Kapsch TrafficCom with Contract Award in France

Kapsch TrafficCom AG listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange in the prime market segment, reports a contract award in France worth more than € 25m.

March 2, 2012

Verbund Reports Mixed Results

The decline in profit by 12% in 2011 is justified with “difficult conditions in the energy market environment and the overall economy”. Sales and operating results were up substantially.

February 29, 2012