Lithuania

Refugee Crisis in Poland: European Parliament Presidents Visit Refugee Reception Center in Poland

Poland receives nine European Parliament Presidents, among them also Austria's Federal Council President Christine Schwarz-Fuchs. Together they visited the Polish-Ukrainian border crossing in Dorohusk and the refugee reception center Lwowska as well as the Humanitarian Aid Centre Ptak near Warsaw.

April 21, 2022

Austria's Initiatives to Strengthen EU External Border Management

Austria is co-organizing a conference in Lithuania to discuss EU external border protection. Interior Minister Karner, who will represent Austria at the meeting, first stopped in Hungary to talk about the issue with his Hungarian counterpart Sándor Pintér. Read more about Austria's efforts to strengthen EU external border management.

January 20, 2022

Austrian Government Opposes Boycott of the China Winter Olympics

The Austrian government has expressed its opposition to a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in China. Read which countries support the boycott and what the Austrian government has said about it.

December 16, 2021

List of National Days of the Home Countries of All Foreign Missions and Delegations in Vienna, Austria

The Vindobona table below is an updated list of National Days of all nations, which belong to at least one of following categories: Foreign Missions and Delegations in Vienna, Austria; Diplomatic Corps and other representations in Austria; International Organizations in Vienna and Permanent Missions; Missions and Delegations to the OSCE.

February 11, 2015 · Updated: December 11, 2021; 08:12

High-level Belarus Conference in Vienna

Chancellor Schallenberg participated in a video conference to discuss the situation in Belarus and the worsening humanitarian crisis at the EU's external border with numerous representatives from other EU member states and Belarusian opposition politicians. Read what was discussed at the meeting and watch a joint press conference with Schallenberg and Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

November 23, 2021

New Permanent Representative of Lithuania Presents Credentials to International Organizations in Vienna

The new Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the International Organizations in Vienna, H.E. Mr. Vaidotas Verba, presented his credentials to the heads of the United Nations Office Vienna (UNOV), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Learn more about Ambassador Verba.

September 20, 2021 · Updated: September 20, 2021; 17:01

Minister for European Affairs: The Fight against Migration as a Means of Pressure on the EU

Austrian Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler embarked on a multi-country trip to Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, and Romania. The central topic of discussion is the increasing migratory pressure on the EU’s external borders, especially from Afghanistan and Belarus. Minister Edtstadler emphasized the need for border security at the EU's external borders and for targeted sanctions on Alexander Lukashenko's regime.

September 15, 2021

Lithuania and Austria Support New Sanctions against Belarus

Lithuania and Austria have indicated that they are in favor of putting new sanctions on Belarus in response to the significant increase in illegal border crossings on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis and Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė hosted their Austrian counterparts Alexander Schallenberg and Karl Nehammer at the border to discuss the ongoing situation.

August 26, 2021

Lavrov in Vienna: Tensions Following the Establishment of the Crimea Platform

In the first official bilateral visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Vienna since 2009, Sergey Lavrov met with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. The working talks included tense issues like the annexation of Crimea, human rights in Russia, Afghanistan, and the refugees on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. However, they all expressed interest in continued dialogue and finding areas for cooperation between Austria, the EU, and Russia.

August 26, 2021

Covid-19 in Austria: These Are the Updated Entry Rules

Due to today's amendment of the Austrian "COVID-19 Entry Regulation 2021", we bring you an update on the regulations for entering Austria.

July 20, 2021

On Behalf of EU: Lithuanian, Romanian and Austrian Foreign Ministers Travel to South Caucasus

The Foreign Ministers from Lithuania, Romania and Austria have visited the South Caucasus countries Azerbaija, Armenia and Georgia on behalf of EU External Relations Commissioner Josep Borrell. Read everything about the details of the trip below.

June 28, 2021

Lithuanian Prime Minister in Vienna: "Situation in Belarus Unacceptable"

In her visit to Vienna, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė demands the immediate release of all political prisoners in Belarus. Austria's Chancellor Kurz and Šimonytė share very similar concerns regarding Belarus. Read more below.

June 14, 2021

Diplomats for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2019

More and more embassies, delegations and permanent representations to international organisations supported this day (IDAHOBIT), that raises awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide, as well as EuroPride 2019 in Vienna.

May 29, 2019

Lithuania and Austria to Join Forces in the Fight Against Climate Change

During a visit by President of the Republic of Lithuania, Ms. Dalia Grybauskaitė, to the Presidential Chancellery of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, they both agreed to continue to cooperate closely in the fight against climate change.

March 4, 2019

Meet the Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Austria: H.E. Mr. Donatas Kušlys

The new Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania to Austria, H.E. Mr. Donatas Kušlys presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.

December 10, 2018

Central and Eastern Europe's Financial Elite Gathered at the CEE Forum in Vienna

The 21st Euromoney Central and Eastern European Forum ended in Vienna today, where 1000 delegates from the region joined local and international investors to help plan, debate and analyze the economic agenda for the region for the year ahead. The vast majority of the delegates have a negative outlook for the year 2016. Only one of the participants expects that this year CEE will grow more than 3.5%.

January 20, 2016

VIG Completes Acquisition of Latvian Non-Life Insurer Baltikums AAS

Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) has finalized the 100-percent acquisition of Riga-based Baltikums AAS. As a result of the acquisition, Vienna Insurance Group is now one of the top five insurers on the Latvian market.

October 27, 2015

VIG's Compensa Acquires Lithuania’s Largest Life Insurance Sales Company

Vienna Insurance Group company Compensa Life SE has strengthened strengthened its sales structure in Lithuania with the acquisition of life insurance sales specialist Finsaltas. Finsaltas holds Latvia's biggest life insurance distribution network and recorded some EUR 7.1 million (USD 8.0 million) in life insurance premiums in 2014. for an undisclosed amount, VIG said Friday.

June 12, 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

EBRD Sees Mixed Outlook for CESEE Countries in 2015-16

The outlook for economies in central and south eastern Europe is improving on the back of eurozone monetary easing but prospects further to the east of the transition region have worsened, as the impact of Russia’s recession intensifies.

May 14, 2015

Mid Europa Partners' New Fund to Invest EUR 800 Mln in CEE

Mid Europa Partners, the British private equity firm focused on buyouts in Central & Eastern Europe, announced the final closing of Mid Europa Fund IV at €800 million, complemented by an additional pre-allocated co-investment program of €650 million. Fund IV represents the largest dedicated fund to the CEE Region raised in the last 5 years.

September 5, 2014

Labor Costs: No Clear Trend in CESEE

In the Baltic countries and in Romania, unit labor costs rose most. In Slovenia and in the Czech Republic, by contrast, unit labor costs were down.

December 18, 2013

Retail Trade: Sharp Decrease in Slovenia and Romania, Poland

Volume of retail trade down by 0.5% in euro area Down by 0.3% in EU27.Poland and Romania register strong growth rates.

August 5, 2013

CESEE Countries Show More Fiscal Discipline

Euro area government debt up to 92.2% of GDP. EU27 debt up to 85.9%. The debt increase in Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and the Baltic countries was very decent or even negative.

July 22, 2013

Hypo Group: Business With Russian Oligarch

Austrian magazine „News“ unveils a remarkable business connection of Hypo Group from 2008.

June 19, 2013

Lithuania Supports Serbia's European Integration

Butkevicius said that Dacic’s visit to Vilnius is an encouraging and positive change in relations between the two countries.

April 16, 2013

Turkey’s Hopes of a Reunited Cyprus

The financial crisis in Cyprus is, according to Turkish President Abdullah Gül, an important opportunity to overcome the seperation of Cyprus.

April 4, 2013

New opportunities for Lithuanian and Turkish business

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė together with Turkish leader Abdullah Gül opened the Lithuania-Turkey business forum.

April 4, 2013

Lithuania and Latvia Preparing for Euro

The Baltic finance ministers emphasize sustainable growth and euro importance.

April 2, 2013

Lithuania: Turnover of Enterprises in Retail Increased By 0.9 %

In February 2013, against February 2012, the turnover of enterprises engaged in wholesale and retail trade in motor vehicles and motorcycles was on the increase.

March 30, 2013

Lithuania: Increase in Non-Cash Payments

Significant increase in non-cash payments creates a premise for banks to review their fees

March 29, 2013

Lithuania: Problem with Ūkio Bankas Solved

The newest Lithuanian financial market data show that the market participants positively assessed the solution chosen by the Bank of Lithuania to deal with the problem of Ūkio bankas.

March 25, 2013

Lithuania: Exports Decreased by 7.6 % in January

Foreign trade in January 2013 decreased. Major losses in Agricultural sector.

March 8, 2013

Lithuania: Cashing in Eurobonds to Decrease Public Debt

The finance ministry of Lithuania declared to having redeemed the second large Eurobond issue today and reduced its public debt by € 1 bn.

March 7, 2013

Lithuania: Investment in Tangible Fixed Assets and Construction 2012 Grew Slightly

Statistics Lithuania presents a statistical publication Investment in Tangible Fixed Assets and Construction, which provides statistical information for the year 2012 prepared based on quarterly statistical survey data.

March 6, 2013

Lithuanian Banking Sector: Lending Up, Profitability Down

Over the past year, the assets of banks operating in the country and branches of foreign banks decreased.

March 2, 2013

IMF Praises Lithuania´s Economic Recovery

According to the International Monetary Fund, the income redistribution is not sufficient. In general, Lithuania´s economic performance is satisfying, however.

February 16, 2013

Economic Growth: Baltic Countries Ahead

Euro area GDP down by 0.6% and EU27 down by 0.5%. The CESEE countries show mixed results. Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia have performed best in 2012.

February 14, 2013

IMF Supports Lithuania´s Aim to Enter Eurozone

In 2015, the Baltic country wants to become a member of the Eurozone. According to Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, the IMF welcomes this decision.

February 12, 2013

Shrinking Foreign Trade Deficit in Lithuania

In total, Lithuania´s foreign trade has grown substantially last year. Exports grew faster than imports.

February 11, 2013

Poland Underlines Necessity of Cohesion Funds

At the EU summit, Poland wants to secure as much cohesion payments in the next multiannual financial framework from 2014 to 2020.

February 7, 2013

Baltic Countries: Strong Increase in Retail Trade

In the EU, the volume of retail trade was down by 0.6%. In Austria, turnover in the retail trade sector is decreasing in real terms.

February 5, 2013

Bank Austria Centralizes Operations in Baltic Countries

The Austrian subsidiary of Italian UniCredit has shifted the units in Lithuania and Estonia to Latvia.

January 29, 2013

Lithuania to Join Eurozone in 2015

According to Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, the country will introduce the euro in the medium term.

January 26, 2013

Lithuania´s Financial Assets Growing Substantially

In the third quarter of 2012, the annual growth rate of Lithuania’s financial assets (6%) exceeded that of liabilities (5%).

January 10, 2013

Lithuania: Budget Finally Approved

Lithuania´s President Dalia Grybauskaite confirmed the 2013 budget.

December 28, 2012

Highest Percentage of Low-Wage Earners in Baltic Countries

One out of six employees in the EU27 was a low-wage earner in 2010. Large differences between men and women, levels of education and types of contract.

December 20, 2012

Lithuania and Slovakia Record Biggest Increase in Industrial Production

From October 2011 to October 2012, Industrial production down by 1.4% in euro area.

December 12, 2012

Unemployment Decreasing in Baltic Countries

Euro area unemployment rate at 11.7%. EU27 at 10.7%. Austria still records the lowest unemployment quota.

November 30, 2012

Lithuania´s Government Aims to Join Eurozone

The social democrat Algirdas Butkevicius may become Lithuania´s next Prime Minister. His main targets are austerity and the accession to the Eurozone.

October 31, 2012