Vienna International Community - People in the News - Latest Headlines

Read updated news about key players in Vienna's international community, such as expats, executives, politicians, diplomats, investors, artists and others.

Montenegro: President Vujanovic Declared Winner of the Election

Up to now President Filip Vujanovic has declared himself as the winner of the election two hours after the closing of the polling stations.

April 8, 2013

Barroso: „Existantial Crisis is Over“

President of EU Commission Jose Manuel Barroso came to Vienna to meet with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger.

April 6, 2013

Czech President Zeman Wants Slovenia As 5th Visegrad Member

The proposal made by Czech’s president Milos Zeman does not arouse enthousiasm among Slovak citizens.

April 6, 2013

Fekter Defends Austrian Bank Secret

With the reference to the agreement with Switzerland and Lichtenstein, Finance Minister Fekter tries to convince the EU Commission to leave the Austrian bank secret at the current situation.

April 5, 2013

Turkey’s Hopes of a Reunited Cyprus

The financial crisis in Cyprus is, according to Turkish President Abdullah Gül, an important opportunity to overcome the seperation of Cyprus.

April 4, 2013

New opportunities for Lithuanian and Turkish business

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė together with Turkish leader Abdullah Gül opened the Lithuania-Turkey business forum.

April 4, 2013

Romania: Ponta Endorses Regionalization

Regionalization, which is encompassed in the constitutional reforms, is supposed to help improve the administrative situation in Romania.

April 3, 2013

Cyprus: Prone to Recession

Despite of the bail-out package, the country is threatened by a deep recession in the coming two years.

April 3, 2013

Austria: How to Benefit from Positive Labor Market Situation

Increasing number of employees should be reason to initiate economic stimuli and focus on investment incentives, states Leitl.

April 2, 2013

Macedonia: Fresh € 100m for Business Sector from EIB

The Macedonian government plans to provide fresh EUR 100 million loan, with 5.5% interest rate, as support to the business sector.

April 2, 2013

Referendum in Poland about Joining Eurozone

Last week, Prime Minister Donald Tusk offered a vote on a referendum about the adoption of the Euro in Poland. A simple majority needed for a decision could settle the issue.

April 2, 2013

Cyprus: Finance Minister Steps Down

According to reports by the media, Finance Minister of Cyprus, Michael Sarris will be replaced.

April 2, 2013

Lithuania and Latvia Preparing for Euro

The Baltic finance ministers emphasize sustainable growth and euro importance.

April 2, 2013

Serbia and Macedonia Enhance Cooperations

Cooperation between Serbia and Macedonia precondition for efficient tackling of regional issues

April 2, 2013

Cyprus: Anastasiades Comes Under Suspicion

President Nikos Anastasiades is in dire straits as he is accused of having transferred huge amounts of money to foreign countries and having warned relatives. In the meantime, the austerity package is almost set.

April 2, 2013

Slovenia: “We Will Need No Bailout This Year”

Since Greece, Spain and Cyprus are currently finding themselves in disastrous economic situations, Slovenia does not want to seem like the next bail-out candidate.

March 30, 2013

Cyprus: 37.5 % Only The First Cut

Assets will be burdened much higher than assumed. Apart from the mandatory levy of 37.5 % a further amount of 22.5 % will be frozen in.

March 30, 2013

Serbia: Financial Underhand Practices Discovered

Financial underhand practices had lead to losses of € 700m for the Serbian state.

March 30, 2013

EVN to Get Support by State Secretary

State Secretary Lopatka intervened in EVN’s dispute with Bulgarian government. He urges Bulgaria to ensure protection of investments.

March 29, 2013

"Croatia is Paving the Way for the Entire Balkans"

Austria’s Vice Chancellor advocates the commission’s assessment and is looking forward to welcoming Croatia as a new EU member.

March 29, 2013

Cyprus: No Bank Run

The feared bank-run after the almost two-weeks long closing of the banks in Cyprus has not occured.

March 29, 2013

Slovenia: Situation For Banks Still Shaky

According to the National Bank, the new government in Slovenia needs to avoid becoming the new setting of bail-out negotiations with the EU after the banking crisis in Cyprus.

March 28, 2013

Strabag: Defends Its Number 1 in Czech Republic

In a survey, 302 public customers have chosen Austrian construction enterprise Strabac to be the best in its sector. Swietelski follows on 2nd place.

March 28, 2013

Cyprus: Trying to Avoid Chaos at Banks

Today, Cyprus‘ banks are supposed to be opened after almost two weeks of closing. The citizens are called for calm and there are limits for drawing money. The currency rate was downgraded to Caa2 by Moody’s.

March 28, 2013

CESEE: CR More Attractive for FDI Than SK

Foreign investors regard the Czech Republic more attractive than Slovakia.

March 27, 2013

Poland: VAT Expected to Remain At 23 %

Prime Minister Tusk announced that there will be no return to the 22 % VAT which was planned for 2014.

March 27, 2013

Cyprus: Mandatory Levy on Assets Not Yet Fixed

Banks in Cyprus will open again tomorrow, yet the capital flow is still limited. Dijsselbloem is criticized by the ECB. Bank employees demand Demetriades’ stepping down.

March 27, 2013

Czech Republic: EGAP Covered Exports of CZK 72bn

Minister of Industry and Trade, Martin Kuba says: EGAP will focus more on supporting small and medium-size enterprises

March 27, 2013

Hungary: Tax Overhaul Finalized

Minister for National Economy: taxation system completed - time for fine-tuning.

March 27, 2013

Dacic Meets Forbes

Serbia has good investment opportunities, according to Christopher Forbes.

March 27, 2013

Hungary: MNB to Reduce Key Interest Rate

The Hungarian National Bank (MNB) lowered the key interest rate by 25 basis points down to 5.0 %. This is the eighth downgrade in a row.

March 26, 2013

Dacic to Meet Head of EULEX Mission

International mission in Kosovo to ensure complete protection of all citizens.

March 26, 2013

Medvedev Vexed Over EU

In case the government will not come to conclusion how to generate the required money (€ 5.8bn), the ECB will cut off the money supply for Cyprus’ ramshackle banks.

March 25, 2013

Roiss: “A European Concept and Joint Investments Are Needed“

In an interview with the Austrian newpaper Kurier, CEO of OMV explains why Europe needs other sources of energy and why there is a growing competitive disadvantage compared with the USA.

March 25, 2013

Russia Wants Berezovsky’s Heritage

After the death of Kremlin critic Boris Berezovsky, Russia wants to grab the former entreprenuer’s assets.

March 25, 2013

Cyprus: Bail-Out Package Accepted

Cyprus has been granted the € 10bn worth aid package by the EU. After ten hours of negotiations in Brussels the decision was made early this morning. Assets below € 100,000 will not be taxed.

March 25, 2013

Exiled Russian Tycoon Boris Berezovsky Found Dead

Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky has died, it was reported today. The exiled businessman, who last year lost a multibillion-pound High Court fight with Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich, was found dead at his home in Surrey.

March 23, 2013

“Polish Economy Continues to Enjoy Full Trust of Foreign Markets”

Polands Finance Minister is satisfied with the result of the auction of Polish bonds issued earlier this week.

March 23, 2013

Russia Enhances Oil Supply to China

Experts describe the dealings as a community of purpose rather than a sign of improved relations.

March 23, 2013

Hungary: In a Debt Crisis Soon?

New all-time high in debts was reported. Hungarian populations hopes for fast political turn-around.

March 22, 2013

Austria to Reform Pension Plan Scheme

Roundtable symposium at Ministry of Finance on reform of private pension plan scheme

March 22, 2013

Poland’s Finance Minister Shows Optimism

Deputy Finance Minister Majszczyk announced that Poland will not exeed the planned budget deficit and forcasts economic growth for the second half of the year.

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

Medvedev: Harsh Criticism For EU At Conference in Poland

At a two day’s international press convention for EU journalists, Russian Prime Minister Medvedev has highlighted the improved political and economic interaction between Russia and Poland. However, he critized the EU on its Cyprus-politics.

March 21, 2013

Belgrade Considers Conditions Unacceptable

The sudden failure to reach a final conclusion to the Kosovo-issue puts a dampener on Serbia’s way towards the EU.

March 21, 2013

Hypo Group’s Silence Bewilders Bayern LB

Bayern LB is puzzled as to why former affiliate, Carithian Hypo Group, has not shown any efforts to state their position before court.

March 21, 2013

RBI to Acquire More Clients in Romania

RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) is attaining a portfolio of private clients by Citibank via affiliate Raiffeisen Bank S. A.

March 21, 2013

Cyprus: No Hope in Sight Yet

It is still uncertain if an agreement with Russia about the sale of gas fields can be found. President of the EU commission has joined the talks in Moscow.

March 20, 2013

Hungary: Personnel Purge at MNB

New govenor of the Hungarian Central Bank (MNB) György Matolcsy continues his purge.

March 20, 2013

Time Is Running Out Fast for Serbia and Kosovo

It is probably one of the last chances for Serbia and Kosovo to make progresses for EU rapproachment.

March 20, 2013