Germany
Austrian Art and Culture as a Means of Foreign Policy
Austrian reception on the occasion of the Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse) 2019.
October 17, 2019
Meet the Ambassador of Germany to Austria: H.E. Mr. Johannes K. Haindl
Ambassador Johannes K. Haindl is a lawyer and trained diplomat. He was the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Vienna from 2015 to 2019. He has gained diplomatic experience in Germany, the United States, the Czech Republic, Turkey and the Western Balkans. He is married and has 3 children.
September 14, 2018 · Updated: October 1, 2019; 12:12
Meet the New Ambassador of Germany to Austria: H.E. Mr. Ralf Beste
The new Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Austria, H.E. Mr. Ralf Beste presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg. He succeeds Ambassador Johannes K. Haindl in this position.
September 20, 2019
Head of the European Commission in Vienna Leaves for Berlin
The current head of the EC European Commission in Vienna, the German citizen Dr. Jörg Wojahn, will move back to Germany as Head of the European Commission's Representation in Berlin.
August 7, 2019
German Road Toll Discriminates Against Foreigners - ECJ
The German car toll violates EU law. This was decided by the European Court of Justice in a ruling. This levy is discriminatory, since its economic burden lies practically exclusively on the owners and drivers of vehicles registered in other member states. In Austria, the ruling is received with great pleasure, as the country has won the case through its infringement proceedings.
June 18, 2019
Cooperation of the Metropolises Hamburg, Vienna and Zurich
The three German-speaking cities of Hamburg, Vienna and Zurich want to cooperate more closely in their sustainable development within the framework of a city trialogue in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
June 12, 2019
Summit of German-speaking Heads of State in Linz 2019
This year's informal meeting of German-speaking heads of state with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, King Philippe of Belgium, Federal President Ueli Maurer, Hereditary Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen took place in Linz. The main topics were current political questions from the respective countries and the future of Europe based on the results of the European elections.
June 5, 2019
Austrian Airlines Responds to Low-Cost Carriers with Low Fares
Austrian Airlines takes up a stance against low-cost competition at Vienna Airport. On the one hand, flights to Germany, such as Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Berlin, will be increased from April onwards. Paris and Copenhagen are to follow in May. On the other hand, prices are to be reduced.
March 22, 2019
Austrian Tourism: 45 Mio. Arrivals and 150 Mio. Overnight Stays in 2018 - Germans Return
With 149.75 million overnight stays in Austrian accommodation establishments, a new record was reached in 2018. Compared to the previous year, overnight stays increased by 5.25 million (+3.6%). At +5.0% (56.26 million), the number of overnight stays by Germans rose disproportionately strongly.
January 24, 2019
Austria in E-Government ahead of Germany and Switzerland
Margarete Schramböck is on the right course. According to a recent study on the e-government situation in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Austria clearly holds the top position in the e-government country comparison.
November 7, 2018
New Forum for Deepening German-Austrian Relations: Österreichisch-Deutsches Länderforum
Recently the Österreichisch-Deutsches Länderforum e.V. was founded in Vienna by Dr. Harald Wögerbauer with the intention of offering a platform for deepening German-Austrian relations.
May 2, 2018
Vienna's Attractiveness as a Location for Business Continues to Grow
For the sixth year in a row, Vienna recorded the highest number of companies settling in the city. After Vienna had already achieved a record figure in the previous year with 178 international new additions, this was again exceeded last year with 191 new companies, which is an increase of 13%. These business establishments together are responsible for investments totalling €537 million and 1,087 new jobs. There are 344 new foreign invested businesses throughout Austria. German companies remain the number one investors in Austria.
April 30, 2018
Tourism: Vienna Achieves New Record Number of Overnight Stays
Vienna recorded a new tourist record in March with an increase of 8.5% compared to the previous year. The number of guest overnight stays rose to 1,169,000. Most of the tourists came from Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, the UK and Switzerland.
April 19, 2018
Austria's Capital Market for SMEs on the Brink of a Renaissance
Finance Minister Hartwig Löger plans to revive the Austrian capital market for SMEs by making trading of bearer shares of Austrian companies on the Third Market possible again.
April 11, 2018
Goals of Austria's OSCE Chairmanship 2017
Germany will chair the OSCE until the end of December and will then hand over to Austria in 2017. Austria will promote greater security and stability as well as the preservation of common values within the OSCE region.
August 31, 2016
OSCE: "Reliable, Affordable and Sustainable Energy Supplies are Prerequisite for Stability and Security"
Energy experts from the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation, representing both government institutions and private sector companies, will begin a week-long field study of sustainable energy in Austria and Germany.
July 12, 2016
Ursula von der Leyen to Visit Vienna to Discuss Defence Issues
As part of an official visit to Vienna, Ursula von der Leyen, Minister of Defence of Germany, which currently holds the OSCE Chairmanship, will meet OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier. During their meeting, von der Leyen and Zannier will discuss the role of the OSCE focusing in particular on the crisis in and around Ukraine. They will also explore possibilities to strengthen the OSCE and its capabilities.
April 29, 2016
The Western Balkans Conference Which Led to Row Over Worsening Refugee Crisis
Convened on the initiative of Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz and Austrian Minister of the Interior Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the Western Balkans conference “Managing Migration Together” was held at the Federal Ministry of the Interior in Vienna. 18 foreign and interior ministers from the Western Balkans attended the conference. The participants included the foreign and interior ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.
February 26, 2016
Greece Recalls Ambassador to Vienna in Row over Worsening Migrant Issue
By decision of Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, Greece’s Ambassador to Vienna, H. E. Mrs. Chryssoula Aliferi, is being called to Athens for consultations aimed at "safeguarding the relations" between the states and peoples of Greece and Austria.
February 25, 2016
Freedom of the Media: The Challenges Propaganda Brings for Journalism
The Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media will, together with the German Chairmanship, host an expert meeting on propaganda for war and hatred and freedom of the media on 12 February in Vienna.
February 10, 2016
Germany's Steinmeier Formally Assumes 2016 OSCE Chairmanship
OSCE to serve as a platform for real and honest dialogue on today’s security challenges, says Steinmeier, as Germany formally assumes 2016 OSCE Chairmanship.
January 15, 2016
Conwert in Talks to Purchase BGP Investment's German Properties
Conwert Immobilien Invest SE currently is in exclusive discussions with BGP Holdings Europe S.à.r.l. with respect to the potential acquisition of the German residential property assets of BGP Investment S.à.r.l., an subsidiary of BGP Holdings Europe S.à.r.l.
July 22, 2015
IAEA's Position and Road-Map Regarding Iran's Nuclear Program
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran) agree, in continuation of their cooperation under the Framework for Cooperation, to accelerate and strengthen their cooperation and dialogue aimed at the resolution, by the end of 2015, of all past and present outstanding issues that have not already been resolved by the IAEA and Iran.
July 14, 2015
Iran Nuclear Deal: Joint Statement by Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister
The joint statement by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif calls on the world community "to support the implementation of this historic effort". "The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is a balanced deal that respects the interests of all sides. It is also complex, detailed and technical."
July 14, 2015
Iran Nuclear Deal: Historic Agreement in Vienna
The so-called P5+1 - the US, UK, France, China and Russia plus Germany and the EU have reached a "historic" deal with Iran on limiting Iranian nuclear activity in return for the lifting of international economic sanctions. The deal, known as the "Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action", was signed today in Vienna.
July 14, 2015
Euromoney Names UniCredit-Bank Best Bank in CEE
Euromoney has presented UniCredit with nine awards for excellence, including Best Bank in Central Eastern Europe, Best Debt House in Central Eastern Europe and Best Transaction Services House in Central Eastern Europe.
July 14, 2015
Analysis: Austrian Economy Falls Behind Eurozone Average
The latest "Attractiveness Survey" from consultancy Ernst & Young Global Limited shows, that espite strong fundamentals, Austria’s economy lost some ground on the Eurozone average in 2014, with growth of just 0.4% compared with 0.9% for the Eurozone as a whole. This comparative weakness will also continue in 2015, with Austria’s GDP growth estimated at 1.1%, against 1.5% in the Eurozone. This is despite a boost from lower energy prices, quantitative easing from the European Central Bank (ECB) and a weaker euro.
June 1, 2015
FDI: Western Europe Overtakes China and North America, Austria Improved Its Position
Ernst and Young's latest European attractiveness survey has been published. FDI into Europe hits a new record with US$305b attracted into the region in 2014, translating to a 36% year-on-year growth, despite global growth slowdown. UK, Germany and France remain the preferred destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI) within Europe, while Turkey enters the Top 10. Austria improved its position in the ranking by two notches, rising to position 22 of all 44 countries analyzed.
May 29, 2015
Germanwings Flight 9525: Captain Tried to Break into Cockpit with Axe, Co-Pilot Hid Illness
The latest reports prove that German Wings captain Patrick Sondenheimer tried to break into locked cockpit door 'with an axe' as plane was descending. German police have been searching the home of co-pilot Andreas Lubitz and his parents. They found a ripped-up sick note showing that he tried to hide his illness from employer German Wings.
March 27, 2015
Germanwings Flight 9525 was a Suicide Mission
According to the latest reports, suicide and mass murder by the co-pilot explains the deaths of 150 people aboard Germanwings flight 9525 from Barcelona to Düsseldorf. There is clear evidence that 27-year-old German co-pilot Andreas Lubitz deliberately locked the pilot out of the cockpit and then began with the Airbus A320 a constant, unauthorized and deadly descent. Brice Robin, the public prosecutor from Marseille told a press conference that the first officer had locked the captain out of the cockpit and set the controls of the Airbus for a rapid descent and the eventual crash into the French Alps. The Aviation Safety Network has published a list of aircraft accidents caused by pilot suicide (see below).
March 26, 2015 · Updated: March 26, 2015; 18:30
Analysis: Crash of Germanwings Flight 9525 - Investigation and Latest Responses
Yesterday Germanwings Flight 9525 from Barcelona to Düsseldorf, an Airbus A320-200, crashed around 100 kilometres (62 mi) northwest of Nice, in the French Alps. All 144 passengers and six crew members died. People on board by nationality were: Germany 67, Spain 45, Kazakhstan 3, Mexico 3, Argentina 2, Australia 2, Colombia 2, Croatia 2, Japan 2, Morocco 2, Belgium 1, Denmark 1, Israel 1, Netherlands 1, Turkey 1, United Kingdom Several (unconfirmed), and unknown 15. The aircraft had reached its cruising altitude, flight level 380 (approx. 38,000 ft [12,000 m]) at 9:27 GMT. Three minutes later the aircraft began its descent - the purpose of the descent is not currently known. 14 minutes after the initial descent, radar contact with the aircraft was lost. Meanwhile the first cockpit voice recorder was recovered by rescue workers and is being examined by the investigation team. The recorder was damaged in the crash, but was said to be still in a "usable" condition. The search for the flight data recorder was to be a priority when the recovery operation resumed. It is the third-deadliest crash of an Airbus A320, after TAM Airlines Flight 3054 and Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501, and the third-deadliest aviation disaster on French soil, after Turkish Airlines Flight 981 and Inex-Adria Aviopromet Flight 1308. Unusually, the plane appears not to have deviated from its flight plan during its descent.
March 25, 2015 · Updated: March 26, 2015; 14:30
German Wings Crash: No Austrians or Transit Passengers to Vienna Were Aboard
It is believed that no Austrians or direct transit passengers to Vienna were aboard the crashed Germanwings plane. "None of the passengers from Düsseldorf held connecting flights to Vienna, so we believe this tragedy has not affected any Austrians. However, we do not as yet have a passenger list of those who were on the flight," Lufthansa said.
March 24, 2015 · Updated: March 26, 2015; 10:45
Update: Germanwings Crash - Two Iranian Journalists on Transit to Vienna among Victims
It has been confirmed that two transit passengers to Vienna were aboard the crashed Germanwings plane Flight 9525. Reuters reports that the two Iranian dead are sports journalists who were travelling to watch their national team play Chile in Sankt Pölten tomorrow. The two men had earlier travelled to Barcelona to cover a match between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
March 25, 2015
German Airliner with 150 People Crashes in Southern France
An Airbus A320 airliner of German low-cost airline Germanwings crashed in the French Alps near Digne carrying 144 passengers and six crew members. "All 150 feared dead" says Fancois Hollande. It is unclear whether Austrian passengers were on board.
March 24, 2015 · Updated: March 24, 2015; 14:45
Government Debt Increased to 82.6% of GDP in Austria and to 92.7% in Euro Area
At the end of the second quarter of 2014, the government debt to GDP ratio in the euro area (EA18) stood at 92.7%, compared with 91.9% at the end of the first quarter of 2014. Austria's government debt rose to 82.6 percent of GDP in Q2 2014 from 81.3 percent in Q1.
October 23, 2014
Signa Buys Karstadt for €1
Austria's Signa Holding takes over struggling German department store chain Karstadt. Signa acquires a 100 per cent stake in Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH from Berggruen Holdings. Berggruen Holdings is going to withdraw from Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH, Karstadt Premium and Karstadt Sports as well as from from each property. The deal ends weeks of speculation over the company's future after the CEO left in July. Rene Benko will pay just €1 for the department store chain. Karstadt operates more than 80 stores across Germany and employs more than 17.000 people.
August 15, 2014
Cost of Living Rankings: CEE Capitals Cheaper, Vienna is 32nd Most Expensive City
The Mercer's 2014 Cost of Living Rankings have been published and cover 211 cities across five continents. While Western European cities have all risen in the rankings mainly due to the strengthening of the Euro against the US dollar, most cities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), however have fallen in the ranking as a result of local currencies depreciating against the US dollar. Bratislava (#84), Prague (#92), Kiev (#98), Ljubljana (#116), Zagreb (#120), Budapest (#135), Warsaw (#142), Belgrade (#184).
July 25, 2014
Tengelmann to Launch Online Gardening DIY Chain in Austria
The German online gardening DIY chain GartenXXL, a subsidiary of the Tengelmann group, is setting up in Austria. The range of offered products includes over 20,000 products from brands such as Gardena, Fiskars, Bosch or Kettler. The products shall be offered via gartenxxl.at. After successful launching in Austria, GartenXXL intends to expand to other countries in CEE/CESEE.
July 22, 2014
FDI in Austria up by EUR 25 Million
In the first half of 2014 the number of international companies setting up business operations in Austria with the assistance of ABA in cooperation with the regional investment promotion agencies climbed from 88 to 114. Total investment volume was up 15.9 % in the first half of 2014 to EUR 179.97 million from EUR 154.33 million in the prior year period.
July 11, 2014
German Investment: New EUR 140 Mln Data Center for the City of Vienna
A 140 million Euro investment from Frankfurt based e-shelter strengthens Vienna as an international ICT center.
July 3, 2014
BSH Vienna is Partially Taken Over by German BSH Group
With the goal of strengthening its international market presence, the TROX Group acquired parts of BSH Group.
May 31, 2014
Emirates: The Air Rights Quarrel Between Austria and UAE Continues
The Arab airline demands considerably more landings in Vienna.
May 23, 2014 · Updated: May 24, 2014; 16:15
Yakunin: Broad-Gauge System from Vladivostock to Vienna to Be Established
Vladimir Yakunin, head of the Russian Railways (RZD), wants to stick to his strategic plans and establish an uninterrupted rail link between Vienna and Vladivostock.
May 24, 2014
Conwert Slips into the Reds
Austrian residential real estate enterprise is facing a hard time in Germany.
May 14, 2014
Czech Republic: CEZ Losing With RWE Contract?
A gas contract with German RWE is causing the Czech energy group losses in the billions.
May 12, 2014
Croatian Brodosplit Landed Important Contract
The Croatian ship manufacturing company Brodosplit has signed a contract with Germany’s Kranunion.
May 12, 2014
German Retailer Metro Faces Massive Losses in CEE
Sales in CEE declined 14.8 percent last year for German retail and wholesale enterprise Metro Group.
May 9, 2014
Michelin to Downsize in Hungary
French tyre producer Michelin announced to shut down ist tyre plant in Budapest and relocate to Romania.
May 9, 2014
Sanction Imposed on Expobank
Russian-Latvian Expobank was added to the Canada’s black list.
May 9, 2014
Austria: Calls for More Competence in Real Estate Management Become Louder
Stock Exchange Guru Alexander Proschofsky and real estate expert Peter Hohlbein are fighting for a seat at Conwert’s administrative board. Proschofsky has been criticizing the strategy of the listed Austrian real estate company.
May 5, 2014
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