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Western European Expats in Vienna, Austria | Bilateral Relations
Austria and Western European countries - Read the latest headlines about bilateral relations in the areas of economy, diplomacy and culture


ÖIAG Seeks For Partner Against Pecik

The Austrian Industrial Holding ÖIAG, which is still the largest shareholder of Telekom Austria, wants to gain a strategic investor.
May 5, 2012


Common Energy Strategy for Germany, Austria and Switzerland

After the German nuclear exit, Switzerland and Austria should act as “green battery”.
May 2, 2012


ESM: The Final Ruin of Europe

Solidarity with financially stricken EU countries cannot justify the irrevocable loss of national sovereignty. The transfer union will only work until the financial collapse of Germany and Austria.
May 2, 2012


AMAG Sale Completed

The last tranche in the Austrian aluminum producer AMAG was sold by CP Group/One Equity Partners to the Austrian B&C Industrieholding AG.
April 25, 2012


Former GDR Funds: Bank Austria Has to Pay € 245m

Bank Austria lost a Zurich retrial over German demands for repayment of more than € 245m linked to the former East German Communist Party.
April 21, 2012


Austrian Opposition Increase Criticism on Swiss Tax Deal

For FPÖ, the tax deal with Switzerland is a “gift for tax evaders”. The Green Party sees support for tax fraud.
April 18, 2012


Tax Deal Fiercely Criticized

Last week, Austria concluded a tax treaty with Switzerland. For experts, the deal does not solve the main problems.
April 16, 2012


Austria and Switzerland Signed Tax Treaty

Austria´s Finance Minister Fekter signed the tax treaty with her Swiss colleague Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. In 2013, additional tax intake of € 1.0bn is expected.
April 14, 2012


Swiss-Austrian Tax Treaty to be Signed

The tax treaty between Austria and Switzerland will be signed tomorrow on Friday. The tax rate is set at 38%.
April 12, 2012


Tax Treaty with Switzerland Close to be Finished

Austria aims for reach a tax agreement with Switzerland in order to tax illegal funds deposited by Austrian nationals at Swiss banks. An agreement seems to be within reach.
April 11, 2012


„AUA Must Achieve Turnaround on its own“

Christoph Franz, CEO of Lufthansa explains that the Austrian subsidiary will act independently also in future. Also the restructuring must be completed without Lufthansa´s help.
April 7, 2012


Swiss Tax Treaty: Austria Under Pressure

The Austrian Minister of Finance is optimistic to conclude the Swiss tax deal by 2013. Proceeds of € 1.0bn are expected.
March 28, 2012


Norway Is one of Austria´s Most Important Wine Market

Austria's wine sector set a new export record at € 126m (an increase of 2.6% over the previous year) in 2011.
March 28, 2012


Strabag Expands in Switzerland

The Swiss subsidiary of Austrian Strabag enters into strategic partnership with BH-Holding AG in Zurich and Zug.
March 22, 2012


Denmark: Alpine Participates in Major Tender

New Railway Line in Copenhagen: Invitation to tender for Austrian company Alpine Bau GmbH.
March 20, 2012


Telekom Austria: Pecik Denies Sales Talks

The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik is said to have had sales talks with China Mobile. Pecik reaffirms to remain at Telekom Austria as “long-term investor”.
March 19, 2012


New Record in Swedish-Austrian Bilateral Trade Volume

Austrian exports to Sweden reached a new record level in 2011. Moreover, the first surplus could be registered.
March 17, 2012


Tax Agreement with Switzerland May Be Postponed

The plans of the Austrian government to conclude a tax agreement with Switzerland soon is unlikely. For the budget, this could cause a loss of revenues.
March 17, 2012


Unemployment of Older Aged Workers Increases Disproportionately

The Austrian labor market registers a rise both in employment and unemployment of persons aged beyond 50. Especially unemployment of male persons aged beyond 50 rises dramatically.
March 17, 2012


Pecik Aims to Become Telekom´s Biggest Shareholder

The second-largest shareholder of Telekom Austria, the investor Ronny Pecik, wants to enlarge his stake further in order to initiate a restructuring.
March 17, 2012


Japanese NTT to Enter Telekom?

Telekom Austria will get a new partner. Newest rumors say that NTT could buy Pecik´s stake. Norwegian Telenor is still interested.
March 16, 2012


Downsizing of Nabucco Plans

The companies behind the proposed 3,900km Nabucco pipeline that would carry natural gas from the Caspian region to Europe have pitched a slimmed-down version of the project.
March 16, 2012


Pecik Content to Hold Telekom Stake

The shareholder at Telekom Austria will not sell his stake in the near future. Norwegian Telenor is said to be interested in entering Telekom Austria.
March 15, 2012


Stable Results at Austrian Post

In 2011, Austrian Post could raise revenues by 4.2%. EBIT climbed up by 7.2%. The dividend increases by 6.3% to € 1.70.
March 15, 2012


Ascom Divests its Security Communication Business in Austria

The Swiss IT solution provider sells its subsidiary Ascom Austria Ges.m.b.H. in a management buy-out to the current Managing Director Peter Bernhofer.
March 13, 2012


„The Public Sector Does not Get Enough“

Klaus Pöttinger, President of Upper Austria´s IV takes Switzerland as model. Taxes would be too high, efficiency of the public sector is too low, he says.
March 9, 2012


Imports Grow Stronger than Exports

January to December 2011: Austrian imports rose by 15%, exports increased by 12%.
March 9, 2012


Hammerer Aims For Growth in Italy

The Austrian aluminum company wants to acquire a site of the U.S. Alcoa in Italy.
March 7, 2012


RHI Exceeds Expectations

The Austrian producer of fire-proof ceramics could raise revenues by 15.5%. EBIT was up by 19.8%.
March 6, 2012


Again Criticism on Austerity Package: „Lack in Sustainability“

The President of the Viennese Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Georg Kapsch, misses details of the austerity package. The package is not ambitious enough, Kapsch considers.
March 5, 2012


Beyrer Aims For Strategic Investor at Telekom Austria

The head of the state holding ÖIAG and Telekom Austria´s supervisory board believes that Ronny Pecik will not remain as shareholder. A strategic partner is desired.
March 5, 2012


AUA´s Insolvency Becomes More Probable

German newspapers report that Lufthansa could establish a new Austrian airline company. AUA could be left then.
March 2, 2012


austriamicrosystems Reports Rise in Revenues and Earnings

The manufacturer of high performance analog ICs registered a 32% rise in revenues. EBIT rose by 59%.
February 29, 2012


Decision on Nabucco Again Postponed

The natural gas consortium „Shah Deniz II“ postpones its decision by one year. OMV´s CEO Gerhard Roiss underlines the importance of a pipeline to the Austrian hub Baumgarten.
February 24, 2012


Siemens Austria Has Growth Targets

The Austrian subsidiary of the German Siemens Group builds a new factory at the Viennese sub-headquarters.
February 24, 2012


Head Reported Lower Sales and Earnings

The Dutch Ski producer, which has its production facilities in Austria, registered a decrease in sales of 1.3%. Higher amortizations caused a reduction in profits.
February 23, 2012


Austria Will Not Get „AAA“ Back in Near Future

The economist at the German Deka bank, Ulrich Kater, does not think that Austria will be upgraded within the next years.
February 22, 2012


Nabucco Still Competes For Gas in Azerbaijan

The gas pipeline project, in which the Austrian oil company OMV is engaged, now enters the critical phase.
February 21, 2012


Fekter: „Austerity Package is Structural Reform Package“

In spite of criticism by economists, for the Austrian Minister of Finance, the austerity package is a “big success”.
February 20, 2012


Doppler Mineral Oil Announces Record in Sales

The largest independent mineral oil trader in Austria recorded sales of € 886.9m (+19%).
February 16, 2012


Slight Sales Increase at Internorm

The Austrian window manufacturer recorded sales of € 311m in 2011, which is a rise of 2.0% against 2010. Exports to Germany grew disproportionately high.
February 16, 2012


Substantial Growth for ING DiBa

The Dutch Bank Group achieved a 12% growth in customers in Austria. Deposits were up by 9.5%.
February 13, 2012


Illegal Income from Switzerland Should Support Government´s Plans

The Austrian government hopes that proceeds from illegal income in Switzerland reach € 1.0bn in 2013. However, an agreement with Switzerland has not been concluded so far.
February 13, 2012


Austrian Government Presents € 27bn Austerity Package

The largest austerity package in Austria´s history mainly consists of cuts in expenditures. The government emphasized the socially balanced measures and the necessity due to reasons of competitiveness.
February 11, 2012


A-Tec´s Quota to Reach 30%

In July, the insolvency quota of A-Tec will be paid to creditors. The quota will range from 30% to 35%.
February 10, 2012


Schlumberger Records Rise in Earnings

In spite of difficult market conditions, the Austrian sparkling wine producer holds on its ambitious growth targets. Exports should be reinforced.
February 10, 2012


Sale of Brixlegg Concluded

The former copper-division of the insolvent Austrian A-Tec Group has been sold to the Swiss Umcor AG.
February 10, 2012


Merger of Glencore and Xstrata: voestalpine Not Concerned

The Austrian steel company does not feel affected by the merger between the two major commodity corporations Glencore and Xstrata.
February 8, 2012


Keuschnigg to Succeed Felderer

Christian Keuschnigg will succeed Bernhard Felderer as director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) in June.
February 8, 2012


Innovation Index: Austria Falls Behind

Austria again loses in competitiveness: among the EU member countries, Austria occupies the eighth rank.
February 7, 2012