Western Balkan Countries in Austria | Bilateral Relations

Austria and the Western Balkans as a Region (Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia). See also each country individually.

Serbian News: "Stake in Telekom Srbija already Sold to Telekom Austria"

Although there is still no official announcement from the government on the sale of Telekom Srbija, there is speculation the company has already been sold, Serbian B92 reports.

May 2, 2011

Telekom Srbija: Rising Prospects for Telekom Austria

Telekom Austria might still succeed in Serbia with an alternative solution. The mobile subsidiary would have to be handed over.

April 22, 2011

Real Purchasing Power: The Gap Between Austria and the CEE Region is Getting Smaller

For the coming years, a steady rise in unit labor costs in the CEE countries with the corresponding impact on the competition for business locations is expected.

April 16, 2011

EVN Makes € 105m Investment in Croatia

The Croatian subsdiary of the Austrian energy company EVN started construction works on Zadar county gas network.

April 14, 2011

Telekom Austria Receives an Extension

Telekom Austria has been granted an extension of the deadline for submitting a revised offer for 51% of Telekom Srbija.

April 13, 2011

Cineplexx Expands

The Austrian cinema operator intends to establish itself in Croatia. A location in the capital was already functioning, and two more have been added now.

April 12, 2011

Speculations on Improvement of Bid of Telekom Austria in Serbia

Telekom Austria (TA) has time until 12 April to increase the bid for a majority stake in Telekom Srbija. TA does not seem to be totally uninterested.

April 8, 2011

Serbia: Intense Resistance to Possible Sale to Telekom Austria

Tempers run high In the sale process of selling the majority government owned Telekom Srbija. The union puts pressure on the Serbian government.

April 6, 2011

Saubermacher: Further Expansion in the SEE Region

The Austrian waste recycler takes over a Croatian supplier and takes further expansion steps.

April 6, 2011

Economic Growth in CEE and Austria Remains Solid

Concerning the equity markets as well as the economic circumstances, Raiffeisen Research is quite optimistic. In 2011, a further economic recovery is expected.

April 6, 2011

Southeastern Europe as a Region of Hope for Austria

Great interest of Austrian companies at the Austria Foreign Trade Forum on Export and Investment Opportunities in Southeastern Europe

April 2, 2011

Falkensteiner Builds in Serbia and Slovakia

The Austrian developer of tourism projects is expanding in the CEE region. The premium segment in the hotel industry is to be strengthened.

March 31, 2011

Macedonia: Court procedure ELEM – EVN settled

Today ongoing judicial proceedings since 2008 between state-owned ELEM and the Austrian energy company EVN have been terminated by an in court settlement.

March 31, 2011

Telekom Srbija: Improvement required of Telekom Austria

Telekom Austria, as the only bidder is required by the Serbian government to improve its bid significantly in the currently stopped selling process.

March 30, 2011

Sale Process of Telekom Srbija to be Cancelled

According to Serbian newspapers, the sale of the Serbian telecommunication company to Telekom Austria has failed.

March 28, 2011

Serbia to Decide on Telekom Sale by Monday

The Serbian government still evaluates Telekom Austria´s bid on Telekom Srbija. Telekom Austria could still improve its offer.

March 26, 2011

Serbia: Bid of Telekom Austria is "Insulting"

Only Telekom Austria remained in the takeover offer for the majority stake of Telekom Srbija. The offer causes resistance in Serbia.

March 23, 2011

Telekom Austria Submitted Bid for Telekom Srbjia

Telekom Austria Group Submits a Conditional € 800-950m Bid for a 51% Stake in Telekom Srbija.

March 22, 2011

Bosnia is a Promising Market for the Austrian Construction Industry

The Bosnian government invests in highway construction and energy: Austria is a top foreign investor in Bosnia-Herzegovina

March 16, 2011

Saubermacher Plans Expansion

The Austrian recycling company continues developing successfully. An expansion in South East Europe is being sought.

March 11, 2011

Viennese Stock Exchange Cooperates with Serbian Stock Exchange

The Vienna Stock Exchange welcomes Belgrade Stock Exchange as a new member of the data alliance.

March 11, 2011

Telekom Srbija: Duel between Deutsche Telekom and Telekom Austria

In the selling process of the Serbian Telekom, the German and the Austrian telecom companies are seen as favourites.

March 7, 2011

Henkel CEE grows in Eastern Europe

The German company, which has set up its Eastern European headquarters in Vienna, achieved a sales increase of 6%.

February 26, 2011

Mixed Results for Investors in Bosnia

The outlook for 2011 is positive. Last year, however, was difficult for Austrian companies in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

February 25, 2011

Telekom Austria Stands Before a Purchase in Croatia

The Burgenland energy operator Bewag might divest itself in future from its Croatian telecommunications subsidiary.

February 12, 2011

Upward Trend for CEE Insurance Stocks

CEE insurance stocks to get a boost from rising profits, cheap valuation and stronger investor demand.

February 10, 2011

Business Climate Improves in Eastern Europe

According to the Austrian Kontrollbank (OeKB), the Business Climate Index has risen in Eastern Europe for the seventh consecutive time.

February 9, 2011

Kapsch Wins Order in Serbia

The Austrian Kapsch CarrierCom wins another order from Southeastern Europe with DataXtender.

February 9, 2011

Rising Bankruptcy Fears in Eastern Europe

The Austrian Creditor Protection Association “Creditreform” foresees a further rise in bankruptcies in Eastern Europe. The economic crisis is not over yet.

February 9, 2011

150 New Bank Austria Branches in Eastern Europe

The new board of the CEE Division of Bank Austria presented the group's expansion plans for Eastern Europe. By 2015, 900 branches are to be added.

February 9, 2011

Investments in Renewable Energies in the CEE are booming

According to a study by TPA Horwath, Austrian companies will expand massively their involvement in the field of renewable energies in the CEE region.

February 4, 2011

Humanomed to Expand to CEE/SEE

The Austrian Humanomed-Group, a health care company, sees potential to expand to countries in (South) Eastern Europe.

January 28, 2011

U.S. Embassy on Hypo Group: "Mini-empire in the Balkans"

New Wikileaks documents indicate that the U.S. Embassy analyzed the symbiosis between the Austrian financial and political scene.

January 27, 2011

Croatian Purchase for Telekom Austria

Telekom Austria is facing the purchase of Croatia's fixed-network provider Metronet for the amount of € 100m. However, the bidding process is not complete yet.

January 25, 2011

CEE Economic Growth Forecast: 3.8% in 2011

According to UniCredit, especially Turkey, Poland, Czech Republic and Estonia will bounce back impressively due to stronger industry and domestic demand.

January 13, 2011

CEE: Raiffeisen Remains Optimistic

The analysts of the Austrian Raiffeisen International Bank give Austria and the CEE good growth prospects. However, there still remain known risks.

January 12, 2011

Telekom Austria: New Acquisitions in Croatia?

The signs of Telekom Austria’s efforts to expand in Croatia are getting more evident. The group is being discrete however.

January 12, 2011

Energie Steiermark Acquires Majority Stake of Gas Supplier in Belgrade

67% of Serbian Beogas are being taken over by the Styrian energy company.The concession covers a service area in the Serbian capital, with over 400,000 customers.

January 10, 2011

CEE Stocks to Climb by 20% in 2011

Erste Group analysts recommend: stock picking rather than sector allocation. 2011 to be a positive year for equity investments.

January 5, 2011

Spindelegger: Turkey's Joining the EU Will Not Happen Before 2024

In an interview with the "Wirtschaftsblatt", the Austrian Foreign Minister stresses the relevance of Turkey. Croatia should come into the EU much earlier EU.

December 29, 2010

Sanader Remains in Extradition Custody

Custody prior to extradition was imposed on the former Croatian Prime Minister Sanader. He complains about the "arbitrariness of the Croatian authorities".

December 28, 2010

Investigations Against Sanader Continue

The investigation of Austrian and Croatian authorities against the former Prime Minister of Croatia in the Hypo affair are being intensified. Many questions remain unanswered.

December 23, 2010

Telekom Srbija: Minimum Price € 1.4bn

The Serbian Ministry of Economy announced today the minimum price for the majority stake in Telekom Srjbija. Telekom Austria is an interested party.

December 23, 2010

Vienna Insurance Group Expands in Macedonia

Vienna Insurance Group granted life insurance licence in Macedonia. The project will be started with the Austrian bank Erste Group.

December 23, 2010

OMV Gas Project is Delayed

Austria's OMV is involved in a joint venture for a liquid gas project in Croatia. Delays are expected.

December 23, 2010

Hypo Group: Sanader Denies Payments of Commissions

The former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, questioned in Salzburg, denies having ever received money from the Hypo Group.

December 22, 2010

New Markets for Red Bull and Rauch

The Austrian Food companies Rauch and Red Bull open new distribution networks through the Croatian Atlantic Group.

December 21, 2010

Austrian-Hungarian Know-How for Macedonia

The Hungarian and Austrian Stock Exchanges make their capital market know-how available to the Macedonian Stock Exchange.

December 21, 2010

Accusations Against Sanader Grow Stronger

Many clues point to improper activities by former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader in connection with the Hypo Group.

December 16, 2010

OeNB: Recovery of the Financial System in a Persistently Uncertain Environment

The OeNB considers that domestic banks benefit from the positive development in the CEE region. However, uncertainties stay on as before.

December 15, 2010