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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.


Slovenia to Emerge From Quagmire By Itself?

A recent report by the OECD paints a dim picture of the country’s economic future.
April 17, 2013


„Unlawful“ Farming in Hungary

The estimated 200 Austrians, who are engaged in agriculture in Hungary, are apparently not highly esteemed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
April 16, 2013


Lithuania Supports Serbia's European Integration

Butkevicius said that Dacic’s visit to Vilnius is an encouraging and positive change in relations between the two countries.
April 16, 2013


Hungary: Increasing Tensions Between Barroso and Orban

President of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso wrote another letter to Prime Minister Orban warning him of the impacts in case the government will not realize the claimed measures.
April 15, 2013


Czech Republic: Fight over Diplomatic Posts

Prague currently sees a duel between ambassadors for the filling of a post. President Milos Zeman and the Foreign Ministry both want to have a say in the final decision.
April 15, 2013


Cyprus Grants Damaged Foreign Investors Citizenship

Instead of the so-far € 10bn, investors now only have to endow € 3bn in order to obtain the Cyprian citizenship.
April 15, 2013


Slovenia to Sell Two State Enterprises

On a press conference on Friday, Prime Minister Bratusek announced the selling of two state-owned companies, one of them being a bank.
April 13, 2013


EU Threatens Hungary With Process

The EU Commission has warned Hunary with a lawsuit in case the government in Budapest should not withdraw the controversial amendmends to the consititution.
April 12, 2013


Ukraine: Yanukovych Rejects Pardoning Tymoshenko

President Yanokovych does not consider a pardoning as long as trials continue.
April 11, 2013


Cyprus: Bail-Out Package More Expensive Than Thought

The aid-money needed increases from € 17.5bn to € 23bn, according to Cyprian government.
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


Poland: Protests At Day of Commemoration

Protesters assembled in Warsaw yesterday to demonstrate against the Russian government that still has not released the evidence
April 10, 2013


Austria: Will Holidays on Thursdays be Abolished?

Minister of Infrastructure, Bures and President of IV announced to discuss the matter.
April 10, 2013


Hungary: Commissioner Reding’s Reactions to Allegations

EU Justice Commissioner and Deputy President of the EU Commission Viviane Reding has reacted to the accusations of the Hungarian government.
April 10, 2013


Estonia and Russia to Enhance Relations

At a meeting on April 5 in St. Petersburg, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev focused on the chance of reinforcing cooperations.
April 9, 2013


Slovakia: Barroso and Fico Examine Effective Use of EU Funds

Barroso pointed out his interest in avoiding losses for Slovakia. Experts are supposed to examine the effective use of funds and Slovakia’s financial engagement.
April 9, 2013


Gazprom to Be Joined By Shell

Russian energy giant Gazprom and British-Dutch oil producer Shell announced cooperation.
April 9, 2013


Austria About to Lose Fiscal Secret

The Austrian government declared to negotiate with the EU about the abanonment of the fiscal secret.
April 9, 2013


Commission Criticizes Austria on Keeping Bank Secret

EU Tax Commissioner Algirdas Semeta considers Austria’s position to hold on to the bank secret and unwilligness to reform as “impossible”.
April 9, 2013


Russia to Contribute to Cyprus Aid-Package

President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia will contribute to rescue-package for Cyprus.
April 8, 2013


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