Slovakia in Austria | Slovaks in Vienna | Bilateral Relations

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

„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

Slovakia as a Role Model?

In an interview with Austrian daily “Wirtschaftsblatt”, Tomas Malatinsky, Economy Minister of Slovakia, talked about budget discipline, investments and tax policy.

April 16, 2014

Erste Group Bank AG: Full Year 2013 Company Report has been Published by FriedlResearch

Published in April 2014, this report contains in depth information and data about Erste Group and its operations and markets. It contains a company overview, business and strategy description, financial ratios, valuation & forecasts, plus a SWOT analysis.

April 15, 2014

Slovakia: Kiska Won Against Fico

Prime Minister Robert Fico has received a heavy defeat. For the first time in Slovakia´s history, an independent candidate becomes President.

March 30, 2014

Conwert to Withdraw from CESEE

The Vienna-listed real estate group wants to sell its assets in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. The sales proceeds are expected to reach up to € 200m.

March 29, 2014

Low Inflation Still No Threat to CEE

Currencies in CEE should not be affected by low inflation, according to Erste Group.

March 19, 2014

Slovakia: Fico Gains Narrow Win in First Election Round

A runoff between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and independent billionair Andrei Kiska has got to be held now. In the first round of elections Fico only had a head start of four percent.

March 17, 2014

Slovakia: PM Fico Regarded Winner of Presidential Elections

As reported by Slovakian media, the presidential elections started off peacefully and without any disturbances. Prime Minister Fico is considered the clear winner of the elections.

March 15, 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

S&P: European Banking Sector Faces Worse Ratings

According to the rating agency, the public support for the European banking sector is essential in many cases. Without financial support, banks might be downgraded.

March 5, 2014

Poland: Banks Expected to Preserve Ratings

According to US rating agency Standard&Poor;’s, Polish banks will be able to keep their credit ratings this year.

March 4, 2014

Fitch Keeps Slovak Rating Unchanged

Slovakia´s issuer default rating was kept unchanged at “A+”. The outlooks remain stable.

March 1, 2014

Erste: CEE Financial Market Not Concerned by Low Inflation

Low inflation will not change CEE market forecasts, according to Erste Group.

February 18, 2014

Vienna Insurance Group Expands Market Leadership in Slovakia

The Group expands its position as the number one in the core market Slovakia. Strong growth above market average. Increase in premiums in all lines of business.

February 17, 2014

Dramatic Capital Outflow in CESEE

The countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe suffer from the dependence on foreign investments. Despite the economic recovery, FDIs are falling persistently.

February 15, 2014

Slovakia: Vote of No Confidence against PM Failed

The vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Robert Fico failed in parliament.

February 14, 2014

CEE: Still Growth Market in Real Estate Sector

The region is still a growth market in the real estate sector even after the crisis. However, the legal situation in some CEE countries can be a pitfall to real estate companies.

February 10, 2014

ECB Wants to Supervise All Banks

For the European Central Bank, the current authority does not go far enough. The ECB wants to control all 6,600 banks in the Eurozone.

February 8, 2014

“Fragile Recovery in CEE Banking Sector”

According to the U.S. rating agency Fitch, the banking sector in Central and Eastern Europe is highly heterogeneous.

February 6, 2014

CESEE: Stuck in Transition or Just a Break?

Despite all difficulties in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the region remains essential for Austria. The long-term growth potential remains intact.

February 6, 2014 · Updated: February 6, 2014; 13:41

EBRD: CESEE Not Under Pressure Yet

According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, most countries in CESEE are relatively unaffected despite the renewed pressure on emerging markets.

February 4, 2014

CESEE: Corruption Is Still a Major Obstacle

The European Commission has published its first Anti-Corruption Report today. Above all, the economies in Southern and Southeastern Europe are suffering from corruption.

February 3, 2014

„We Must Watch CESEE Very Carefully“

In an interview with the Austrian daily „Standard“, board member of Österreichische Kontrollbank AG Angelika Sommer-Hemetsberger said that the economic crisis in CESEE is not over yet.

February 3, 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

CESEE: Overtaking Western Europe Not Before 2055

According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the transition period of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe will take longer than initially expected.

January 29, 2014

Austria: Sberbank Affected By Further Costs

Sberbank is faced with further aids for Austrian Volksbank International (VBI). So far the Russian bank has pumped a total of € 1.3bn into Sberbank Europe.

January 27, 2014

CESEE: Recovery Remains Modest

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has published a report on the regional economic prospects. The economic recovery in CESEE remains fragile.

January 23, 2014

Insurance Industry Faces Growing Risks

According to the U.S. rating agency Fitch, insurers in Europe have to accept riskier investments. Ratings may deteriorate, Fitch warned.

January 22, 2014

Kotian: “Growth in CEE is Accelerating“

In an interview with Austrian daily “Wirtschafts-Blatt”, CEE expert at Erste Group, Juraj Kotian, points out that the bond market is expected to see growth supported by the successful reduction of debts and high economic growth.

January 20, 2014

CESEE: Massive Increase in Real Estate Investments

In Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the total volume of real estate transactions totaled € 10.bn last year. Most transactions were recorded in Russia and Poland.

January 15, 2014

IMF and EBRD Deeply Concerned Over CESEE

Foreign banks continue to withdraw capital from the region. According to the International Monetary Fund, the development is highly considerable.

January 14, 2014

CESEE: Lack in FDI Causes Modest Economic Growth

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is cautiously optimistic about economic growth in CESEE.

January 14, 2014

Basel III Framework to be Softened

The Basel Committee´s oversight body has amended the leverage ratio rules. For the banking industry, this step is an important success.

January 13, 2014

RBI Expects Growth to Accelerate in 2014

2014 marked by growth recovery, according to RBI Research.

January 9, 2014

Growing Evidence for RBI’s Withdrawal from Hungary

According to media reports, Hungarian partly nationalized Szechenyi Commercial Bank has placed an offer for the take-over of RBI’s Hungarian affiliate.

January 7, 2014

Romania: Slight Increase in FX Reserves

In December 2013 FX reserves increased slightly compared to the previous month.

January 7, 2014

Erste Group Bank AG - SWOT Analysis & Company Report

This new report contains in depth information and data about Erste Group and its operations and markets. It contains an overview, business and strategy description, financial ratios, valuation & forecast data, SWOT analysis, plus data on key events.

January 6, 2014

Raiffeisen Bank International AG - SWOT Analysis & Company Report 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.

January 6, 2014

Southeastern Europe Endangered of Civil Unrests

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, several CESEE countries may face civil unrests in 2014. In particular, Southeastern Europe is in the danger zone.

January 4, 2014

CEE: Economic Sentiment Cautiously Optimistic

The economic sentiment for Eastern European countries is becoming more optimistic, however, only cautiously. Poland is on top of the list of economists at JP Morgan.

January 2, 2014

Slovakia: Date for Presidential Election Fixed

The first round for the presidential elections in Slovakia will take place on March 15, 2014.

December 23, 2013

„CESEE No Driver Yet“

Birgit Kuras, CEO of Vienna Stock Exchange, thinks that the Vienna Stock Exchange is highly influenced by the CESEE operations of listed companies.

December 23, 2013

CESEE: Dependence on Foreign Demand Remains Main Obstacle

In 2014, Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESEE) faces a slight upward trend. The structural difficulties persist, however.

December 21, 2013

Stable Outlook for CESEE Banking Industry

According to the U.S. rating agency fitch, the sector outlook remains stable in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. However, the well-known risks and weaknesses will persist.

December 19, 2013

CESEE: Potential to Return to Pre-Crisis Growth

According to a report published by the business adviser McKinsey, countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are fundamentally strong.

December 18, 2013

Slovak Prime Minister Confirms Presidental Candidacy

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who also serves as head of ruling left-winged Smer Party, announced his candidacy for the presidential office next year.

December 18, 2013

CESEE: More Robust than in 2008

The U.S. Federal Reserve wants to reduce its easing policy gradually. For emerging markets, the end of the loose monetary policy may prove challenging.

December 17, 2013

Emerging Markets Face Decrease in Risk Appetite

Foreign investors become more and more cautious about investing in emerging markets. Regions like Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are highly dependent on foreign sentiments.

December 14, 2013

Austrian GDP per Capita Second-Highest in EU

In terms of GDP per capita, Austria is the second-richest EU country.

December 12, 2013