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Austria and Russia - Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, business, investment, diplomacy, culture and tourism

Russia: Austrian Banks Demonstrate Serenity

Austrian banks try to take the downgrade of Russian sovereign bonds with composure. According to spokespersons, the downgrade has no danger potential.

April 26, 2014

RBI Gets Rid of Public Shareholder

After tough negotiations with the Austrian financial market supervision, the Vienna-listed CESEE lender Raiffeisen Bank International repays about the half of the participation capital.

April 25, 2014

Raiffeisen Bank International AG - SWOT Analysis & Company Report May 2014

This new report contains in depth information and data about Raiffeisen Bank International AG and its operations and markets. It contains an overview, business and strategy description, financial ratios, valuation & forecast data and a SWOT analysis.

April 25, 2014

„Brussels Must Reconsider Enlargement Policy“

Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz criticized the EU´s approach towards Ukraine. However, the EU has to develop further.

April 25, 2014

Poland Fears War in Ukraine

According to Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Poland should prepare for the worst case in Ukraine.

April 25, 2014

Business in Ukraine Becomes More Riskful

Insurance companies warn export companies that wanting to arrange for insurance of defaults in payment obligations or political unrest right now is coming too late.

April 22, 2014

Poland: Economic Upswing Endangered by Conflict in Ukraine

In general, Poland´s economic growth accelerates. However, the recent developments in Poland´s neighbor country are a substantial risk factor.

April 18, 2014

Romania: Huge Increase in Commercial Real Estate Investments

Investments in commercial real estates rose by 256 percent year-on-year in Romania. However, investments in CEE declined.

April 18, 2014

Republic of Austria Liable for Domestic Banks in Ukraine and Russia

The Austrian Clearing Bank (OeKB) has assumed liabilities in the amount of € 4.0n in Russia and Ukraine. Besides the political risks, banks operating in Russia have to fear economic risks too.

April 17, 2014

Bank Austria Ends Business on Crimea

One day after Ukrainian affiliate of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), Bank Aval, has terminated business on the peninsula Crimea, UniCredit’s Bank Austria announced closing down its affiliates permanently.

April 16, 2014

RBI Terminates Business on Crimea

The Ukrainian affiliate of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), Bank Aval, has terminated its business activity on Crimea.

April 15, 2014

„We Must Create A Free Trade Area with Russia“

Sebastian Kurz, Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, proposes a deepening of the economic co-operation between Russia and the EU.

April 12, 2014

Uncertainty in Eastern Europe Makes RBI Nervous

In the last few months, the frame conditions in Russia become more and more unpredictable for foreign investors. For RBI, Russia is the most important market.

April 12, 2014

Moldova: Urgent Call for EU-Membership

Getting out of the zone of uncertainty and instability, this is the aim of the Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca.

April 10, 2014

Fitch: Polish Rating Foundations Very Solid

As reported by news portal “Warsaw Voice”, rating agency Fitch considers the Polish credit rating foundations to be very solid.

April 8, 2014

Nikolic: “Russia Will Never Recognize Kosovo”

In an interview with Austrian daily “Presse”, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic voiced his opinon on the political crisis on Crimea and the future about talks between Serbia and Kosovo.

April 8, 2014

RBI to Shut Down Affiliates on Crimea

The Ukrainian affiliate of Raffeisen Bank International (RBI) is closing all its affiliate on Crimea until mid-April.

April 7, 2014

Poland: No Danger of Deflation

According to Marek Belka, governor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), there is not threat of deflation.

April 7, 2014

RBI: Economic Recovery Despite Geopolitical Tensions

Economic upswing vs. geopolitics.

April 4, 2014

Serbia: New Government to Hold EU Accession Talks Regularly

The next government of Serbia will hold sessions with regard to the EU accesssion on a regular basis, as announced by Miscevic, chief EU negotiator of Serbia.

April 3, 2014

Hungary Receives € 10bn Loan from Russia

Hungary´s government has signed a loan agreement with Russia. Budapest wants to finance the enlargement of the Paks nuclear power plant.

April 2, 2014

CEE: Economy Could Become More Vulnerable to Crimea Crisis

If the political crisis in Crimea aggravates negative effects in the economy could soon become evident.

April 2, 2014

Austrian RBI Under Pressure

The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) and the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) want Raiffeisen Bank International, the second-biggest lender in CESEE, not to repay the participation capital.

April 2, 2014

Austria: Fitch Warns Banks of Risk with Business in Russia

The menacing sanctions against Russia with regard to the political crisis in Crimea could become a severe danger for Austrian banks.

April 1, 2014

Austria: Economic Recovery Remains Modest

Political clouds over economic recovery.

April 1, 2014

RBI to Keep Hungarian and Ukrainian Affiliates?

Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) considers keeping its affiliates in Hungary and Ukraine.

March 27, 2014

RBI: Profit Shrinks by Almost A Quarter

RBI with consolidated profit of € 557 million Austria’s most profitable bank for the fourth time.

March 27, 2014

Serbia: Program for New Government in Progress

The future government will have to implement extensive reforms. Vucic, whose party saw a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections, is working on the government’s program.

March 26, 2014

Poland: Good Starting Point for Economic Growth

Economic growth for 2014 is expected to accelerate to 3.1 percent to 3.2 percent in the first quarter while for the full year it is anticipated to come at 3.5 percent, according to Polish Economy Minister Janusz Piechocinski.

March 26, 2014

Poland: Economy Proves Immune to Ukrainian Crisis

According to Governor of the Polish National Bank (NBP) Marek Belka, the Polish economy has so far proved stable and almost remained unaffected by the political crisis in Ukraine.

March 26, 2014

Poland: Promising Years Ahead

Poland observes the crisis in Ukraine with great concern, but does not forget to upgrade national resources.

March 25, 2014

Serbia: President Announced “Pro-Serbian Government”

Tomislav Nikolic, Serbian President, announded the future government to be pro-Serbian.

March 24, 2014

Serbia Wants to Keep Balance Between Russia and EU

Serbia´s Prime Minister Ivica Dacic does not want to stab Russia in the back. At the same time, Dacic keeps an eye on Brussels.

March 24, 2014

Czech Growth to Speed Up

Due to the increase in foreign demand, the advisory company EY expects the Czech economy to revive this year.

March 24, 2014

Faymann Does Not Rule Out Economic Sanctions Against Russia

Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann wants to avoid further conflicts with Russia and to put effort into diplomacy instead. Economic sanctions are no taboo, though.

March 24, 2014

Zeman Wants Ukraine to Cooperate with Brussels

According to Czech President Milos Zeman, Russia´s occupation of the Crimea is a “cold-bloodedly” step against the Ukraine. The crisis-ridden country should work together more closely with the EU.

March 22, 2014

Sanctions Against Russia: Massive Threat for Austrian Banks

Brussels plans to impose economic sanctions on Russia. The Austrian financial sector would suffer enormously an escalating conflict with Moscow.

March 19, 2014

Immofinanz: Substantial Increase in Profits

In the first nine months of 2013/14, the Vienna-listed group registered an increase in net income by 7.1%. For the time being, Immofinanz is not affected by the Crimea crisis.

March 19, 2014

CEE: Investments to Boost Economic Growth

In the coming two years economic growth in Eastern Europe is expected to accelerate to an average of two to three percent of GDP triggered by a boost in investments.

March 13, 2014

CEE Countries Condemn Russian Intervention in Ukraine

Foreign Ministers of the Visegrad countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary) want to strengthen the EU defense policy. Poland intensifies its military cooperation with the U.S.

March 8, 2014

Austrian Banking Sector Fears New Crisis in Russia

For both Bank Austria and Raiffeisen Bank International, the crisis in Ukraine is an enormous threat. What is more, Russia might develop into a serious danger for foreign banks.

March 8, 2014

Ukrainian Crisis: Czech Republic Against Sanctions

Instead of economic sanctions against Russia, diplomatic talks should de-escalate the tense situation. President Zeman wants to create a Ukrainian Federation.

March 8, 2014

Hungary: OTP Bank’s Profits Vanished by Provisions and Taxes

A decrease on the operating profit, increasing risk provisions and taxes drained almost all profits made in the fourth quarter last year.

March 7, 2014

VBAG to Sell Romanian Subsidiary

The Austrian partly nationalized VBAG has started the sale of the loss-making Romanian affiliate.

March 5, 2014

Polish Financial Market Proves Strong

The financial market in Poland is resistant towards negative impacts resulting from the current political crisis in neighbor country Ukraine.

March 5, 2014

Ukraine: Poland Wants to Put Pressure on Russia

Poland´s President Bronislaw Komorowski underlined that the U.S. has given assurances on Poland´s security. Prime Minister Tusk calls for solidarity with Ukraine.

March 3, 2014

„The World is Close to an Enormous Conflict“

Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk is highly concerned about the developments in Ukraine. Tusk warned insistently of an escalation of the conflict, which might entail “unforeseeable consequences”.

March 2, 2014

Polish Currency Suffers from Instability in Ukraine

The Polish Zloty has become weaker because of the political instability in Ukraine.

February 28, 2014

Austrian Banks with Significant Exposure in Ukraine

Ukrainian crisis hits Western Banks in different state compared to 2008/09, according to RBI.

February 27, 2014

CEE Financial Markets under Pressure as Riots Continue in Ukraine

CEE markets under pressure as Ukraine violence heats up. Biggest direct risk to Polish Zloty, but also to Hungarian Forint and Romanian Leu.

February 21, 2014