Kazakhstan in Austria | Kazakhs in Vienna | Bilateral Relations

Kazakh-Austrian Economic Relations - Digitization, Housing and the New Silk Road

After the oil price collapse and the significant currency devaluation thereafter, the economic downturn has bottomed out and the Kazakh economy is experiencing a moderate upswing. For 2018, the Kazakh government again expects growth of +4%. The country's priority economic tasks include digitization, housing construction and the New Silk Road Project.

February 11, 2019

Astana and Vienna Celebrate 27 Years of Diplomatic Relationships

Kazakhstan marks the 27th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Austria, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Spain. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Austria generated a trade surplus of 156.3 million US dollars last year.

February 11, 2019

New Austrian Foreign Trade Strategy: Growth, Jobs, Prosperity

In a joint event in the Aula of Sciences, the Federal Government's new foreign trade strategy was presented by Economics Minister Margarete Schramböck, Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl and President of the Chamber of Commerce Harald Mahrer. The key points of the strategy are the following: Perspective, value orientation, location effect, focal points, future orientation, communication, efficient coordination.

December 20, 2018

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Austria: H.E. Mr. Kairat Sarybay

H.E. Mr. Kairat Sarybay is the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Austria, Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia and the Permanent Representative to the International Organizations in Vienna.

November 30, 2018

What Does Austria Have to Do with the Silk Road Project?

The Chinese "One Belt One Road Initiative", also known as the New Silk Road, is China's strategic measure of the century to make the entire Euro-Asian region including Africa even more dependent on its products and investments. Now the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), the Vienna Chamber of Commerce and the ambassadors from China and Kazakhstan have joined forces to convince the Austrian population and politicians that the connection of Austria via broad-gauge railway to the Silk Road is an opportunity of the century.

November 30, 2018

Updated Directory of Foreign Ambassadors in Austria 2019

Below you will find the updated Vindobona list of foreign ambassadors and representatives of the bilateral and multilateral missions and representations in Vienna, Austria (including description of persons, pictures, CVs, etc.).

November 19, 2018 · Updated: February 12, 2019; 15:32

Eurasian Economic Union vs. European Union - Perspectives and Limits

At Lansky, Ganzger + Partner, at the meeting room of the Austrian-Kazakh Society (ÖKG - Österreichisch-Kasachische Gesellschaft), a number of prominent participants met for a panel discussion to explore the relationship between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU, EEU), to which Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia belong, and the European Union (EU) entitled "The Eurasian Economic Union and the EU - Perspectives and Limits of a Partnership". The conference was hosted by the Research Centre for Eurasian Studies (EURAS), the Austrian-Kazakh Society (ÖKG - Österreichisch-Kasachische Gesellschaft) and the Austrian-Belarusian Society (ÖWG - Österreichisch-Weißrussische Gesellschaft).

October 30, 2018

Kazakhstan and Austria Reinforce Reciprocal Extradition and Legal Assistance

During a visit to Vienna, Kazakh Attorney General Kairat Kozhamzharov was received by Josef Moser, Federal Minister for Reforms and Justice. A joint declaration was signed. The talks focused on Kazakhstan's multilateral efforts, current affairs, mutual extradition and mutual legal assistance with Kazakhstan.

October 19, 2018

The OSCE in 2030: Undivided Security in Europe Now More at Risk Than 10 Years Ago

In the Austrian National Defence Academy, the security issue "The OSCE in 2030: Undivided Security in Europe restored?" was discussed in the form of a public panel discussion. At the invitation of the International Institute for Peace (IIP), the Karl-Renner-Institut, the Scientific Cluster for Polemology and Legal Ethics, the FES Regional Office for Cooperation and Peace in Europe (ROCPE), the Austrian National Defence Academy and the ISP Institute for Security Policy, Hannes Swoboda as moderator and the panelists Thomas Greminger, Fyodor Lukyanov, Stephanie Liechtenstein, Alena Kupchyna discussed the hoped-for security policy development of Europe and the OSCE.

March 7, 2018

20 Years Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT): Ministerial Meeting at VIC

Marking the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), a Ministerial Meeting was held at Vienna International Center. Hosting some 40 international organizations, Austria is a hub for the promotion of peace, safety and security, sustainable development and the fight against crime, drug abuse and terrorism.

June 20, 2016

Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Council of Ministers Places 27 New Diplomats at Head of Embassies

The Council of Ministers of the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to place 27 new Austrian diplomats at head of Austrian Embassies worldwide.

December 10, 2015

How Can Exporters Benefit from the "Go-International Initiative" of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce?

Even in a challenging global economic environment, exports remain the driving force behind the Austrian economy. The go-international initiative of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce encourages companies to step across the border by offering advisory services, events and support, as well as making it easier for existing exporters to enter additional foreign markets.

October 19, 2015

Quality of Living Rankings: Vienna Tops the List Again

Vienna remaines at the top of the 2015 Quality of Living Rankings, boasting the best quality of living for expatriates. In the top 5 there are two other European cities, Zurich (place 2) and Munich (place 4). Also Auckland (3rd) and Vancouver (5th) are among the top five cities.

March 4, 2015

Global Peace Index: Austria is Third Most Peaceful Country

The latest Global Peace Index analyses the state of peace around the world. It identifies the most and least peaceful countries, trends in violence and conflict, and calculates the economic impact of violence. The top three most peaceful countries are Iceland, Denmark and Austria. Small and stable democracies make up the top ten most peaceful countries. New Zealand, Canada and Japan are the only non-European countries in the top ten.

March 4, 2015

Former Ambassador Aliyev is Dead: Lawyers Doubt Suicide

Rakhat Aliyev, the former son-in-law of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, is supposed to have hanged himself in his cell. Aliyev sat in Vienna-Josefstadt in custody for allegedly killing two bankers in his homeland Kazakhstan. Today he would have to testify against alleged blackmailers.

February 24, 2015

List of National Days of the home countries of all foreign Missions and Delegations in Vienna, Austria

The Vindobona table below is an updated list of National Days of all nations, which belong to at least one of following categories: Foreign Missions and Delegations in Vienna, Austria; Diplomatic Corps and other representations in Austria; International Organizations in Vienna and Permanent Missions; Missions and Delegations to the OSCE.

February 11, 2015 · Updated: February 7, 2018; 08:12

Austria is Celebrating 60 Years of United Nations Membership in 2015

Austria became a member of the United Nations in 1955 and is celebrating 60 years of UN membership in 2015. 70 years ago, the United Nations were founded in San Francisco.

February 5, 2015

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

Suspicion of Murder: Meet Former Kazakh Ambassador to Austria

Rakhat Aliyev, the former son-in-law of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, has recently been arrested in Vienna, six years after fleeing Kazakhstan following a spectacular fall-out with his father-in-law. What is his background...

June 9, 2014

Vienna: Former Kazakh Ambassador to Austria has been Arrested

Rakhat Aliyev, ex-son-in-law of Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev, has been arrested in Vienna. Aliyev, who has been convicted in absentia in Kazakhstan on charges ranging from kidnapping and embezzlement to plotting a coup against Nazarbayev, has been detained because of a murder investigation against him, which has been opened in 2011.

June 7, 2014

BSH Vienna is Partially Taken Over by German BSH Group

With the goal of strengthening its international market presence, the TROX Group acquired parts of BSH Group.

May 31, 2014

German Retailer Metro Faces Massive Losses in CEE

Sales in CEE declined 14.8 percent last year for German retail and wholesale enterprise Metro Group.

May 9, 2014

Testimony Against Former Kazakh Diplomat

Today, a press conference about suspected damaged persons by former Kazakh ambassador to Austria, Rahat Aliyev, who is alleged to have disappeared in Malta, will take place at the Media Quarter Marx in Vienna.

February 13, 2014

VSE and Kazakhstan Stock Exchange to Intensify Cooperations

Vienna Stock Exchange (VSE) and Kazakhstan Stock Exchange intensify cooperation – joint data vending agreed.

January 30, 2014

Causa Aliyev: Austrian Justice Minister under Pressure

Austrian Justice Minister Brandstetter has registered more former members of the Kazakh secret service than was previously known.

January 16, 2014

Former Kazakh Embassador Facing Trial in Austria

Rachat Alijew is facing prosecution in Austria because of alleged money laundering. Moreover, a former Austrian Chancellor is suspected of spying.

December 10, 2013

Bank Austria: Sales Proceeds for Kazakh Affiliate Dropped

Sales proceeds of Bank Austria’s Kazakh affiliate ATF Bank only came at € 294m which is significantly less than announced by the bank in the first half year.

December 2, 2013

OMV: Problems in Libya Slow Down Production

The total production of OMV in the second quarter of 2013 has decreased compared to the same period of time in the previous year and the first quarter of the current year.

July 24, 2013

Bank Austria Takes Drastic Measures

Because of selling the Kazakhstan division and bad credits, quarter losses of € 553m for parent company UniCredit have to be faced.

March 16, 2013

Bank Austria to Sell ATF

Bank Austria will sell its affiliation in Kazakhstan, ATF Bank, which was acquired in 2007. ATF made losses into the billions.

March 15, 2013

Vienna Stock Exchange Cooperates with Kazakhstan Stock Exchange

Vienna stock exchange could enlarge its network to 17 exchanges. With the recently agreed index cooperation with the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange, the Vienna Stock Exchange has enlarged its international network once again.

February 15, 2013

Bank Austria: Poland and Turkey are Most Attractive

According to Bank Austria´s board member Gianni Franco Papa, the performance of CESEE markets is satisfying.

December 19, 2012

Kazakhstan: „Among the Top 30 in 2050“

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev predicts an economic boom in the next decades.

December 15, 2012

Bank Austria: Major Losses in Kazakhstan

In 2007, Bank Austria took over the Kazakh ATF Bank. In total, the banking group is threatened to record losses of up to € 1.8bn. Now, Bank Austria is said to leave Kazakhstan.

December 11, 2012

Bank Austria Considers Withdrawing from Kazakhstan

ATF-Bank, the Kazakh subsidiary of Bank Austria is said to be sold.

November 16, 2012

Kazakh President Nazarbayev in Austria

Today, the Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev was received by the Austrian President Heinz Fischer. The Austrian industry hopes for orders worth € 500m.

October 22, 2012

Performance of Austrian Banks Remarkably Down

Austria seems to be significantly „overbanked“: Austrian banks only achieve a 0.1% yield on the capital employed.

July 9, 2012

Reorganization at UniCredit

The Italian banking group plans to dezentralize its structure. Bank Austria as CESEE hub is affected.

July 5, 2012

Hungarian Bank Tax May be Abolished

The extraordinary bank tax in Hungary will be halved in 2013 and deleted in 2014, the government said. Austrian banks are relieved.

May 10, 2012

Bank Austria Considers Leaving East European Markets

UniCredit´s subsidiary may leave Baltic countries as well as Kazakhstan. CEO Cernko is optimistic to achieve more than € 1.0bn in profits this year.

March 30, 2012

VIG Has „No Problems in Hungary“

“We are an insurance group and not a bank.”, said the management of Vienna Insurance Group. Nevertheless, the developments are observed thoroughly.

January 11, 2012

Jobs to be Cut at Bank Austria

After the announcement of high write-offs yesterday, the Austrian subsidiary of UniCredit will reduce its staff from 10,800 to 10,000 by 2015.

November 15, 2011

High Losses for Bank Austria

Due to high write-offs in Ukraine and Kazakhstan, losses amount to € 600m in the third quarter. The first nine months bring profits of only € 4.5m.

November 14, 2011

CEE Economic Forum: Green Trends for Eastern Europe

In 2011, Forum Velden in Carinthia celebrates its 5th anniversary. Since its foundation in 2006, over 1.500 experts, top-managers and politicians from over 25 countries have participated in the Forum.

September 7, 2011

C.A.T. oil: EBIT Burdened by Higher Depreciation Expenses

The Lower-Austrian provider of oil and gas field services reported mixed results. Revenues increased by 24.4%, EBIT declined by 19.4% to € 10.0m.

August 30, 2011

Sberbank Targeting RBI

The Russian bank intends to expand its business to Kazakhstan and the Baltic countries. Both companies denied speculations about a potential capital injection.

May 30, 2011

Central Asia as a Region of the Future for the Austrian Export Business

The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) sees excellent delivery and investment opportunities for the domestic economy in Central Asia.

April 6, 2011

Libya Crisis: No Shortage of Supplies

The North African country ruled by massive unrest is Austria's second-largest oil supplier.

February 23, 2011

Kazakhstan as a Chance for Foreign Trade

Austrian Economic Chamber promotes further development of economic relations with Kazakhstan.