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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


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


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


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