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Austria - European Union Political News
Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian - European Union (Brussels) politics with reference to the international interest
Fekter Presses for Provisional Budget Financing
Finance Minister Maria Fekter (ÖVP) does not count on the government to present a budget draft in time, which was scheduled October 22 and involves the Finance Act until the end of the year.
October 8, 2013
Voestalpine Expects Turnaround
The European demand in steel is increasing. Austrian steel manufacturer voestalpine expects the worst of the crisis for the steel industry to be over.
October 7, 2013
Wifo: Austrian Economy Sees Upturn
Today the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (Wifo) has released its prognosis for 2013 and 2014. The institute sees the first signs of an economic recovery.
October 4, 2013
Keuschnigg Advises Austria to be Patient
According to Keuschnigg it was not possible to increase the core capital quota of the banks to the level necessary or to reduce public debts by 120 percent in two years only.
October 4, 2013
Austria: Downsizing Models for Hypo
Currently, everything revolves around the establishing of a bad bank despite of Finance Minister Maria Fekter’s objection. However, now, after the elections, this issue needs to be resolved.
October 4, 2013
Economic Recovery and Interest Rate Turnaround Also in Austria?
Not only Germany but also the peripheral areas of the European Union see economic recovery supported by an increasing export activity.
October 3, 2013
Poland Increases Funding for SMEs
According to Polish Finance Minister Rostowski, the government plans on extending a funding program for the support of small and medium sized companies in order to improve the country’s economy.
October 3, 2013
World Bank Supports Financial Reporting in CESEE
The World Bank launched a new program to strengthen corporate financial reporting in the countries of the EU’s Eastern Partnership.
October 3, 2013
EU Commission to Lead Cartel Proceedings Against Gazprom
The Russian energy giant Gazprom might face penalties of up to € 11bn.
October 3, 2013
Pecik to Buy Hypo Group´s SEE-Affiliates?
The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik is said to be interested in acquiring the Southeast European subsidiaries of nationalized Hypo Group.
October 2, 2013
Ukraine: Clashes between Police and Protesters
During a demonstration against the government in Kiev on Wednesday clashed occurred between police forces and around 400 supporters of the opposition.
October 2, 2013
Austria: Better off within Eurozone
Economic experts claim that since the beginning of the single currency union, Austria has seen an additional economic growth of 0.4 percent. According to them, a collapse of the Eurozone would lead to a massive decline in exports.
October 2, 2013
Austria: Struggling to Keep up with Economic Growth and Competitiveness
IV demands overhaul of funding policy by the government so that Austria will improve in international competitiveness.
October 1, 2013
Poland: Majority Still against Joining Eurozone
According to a poll, 52 percent of Polish citizens regard the country’s joining the single currency union will be bad for the country.
October 1, 2013
Modest Increase in Croatian Purchase Power
Croatian per capita consumer spending is forecast to increase by a modest 18% to 2017.
October 1, 2013
Serbia’s EU Accession Talks to Start in January 2014
Talks on Serbia's EU accession to start no later than January.
October 1, 2013
Austria: Unemployment Will Not Stop Increasing
In September, the number of persons unemployed continued to increase while employment rose slightly. In total, a number of 335,661 persons were jobless which makes an increase of 13.8 percent on an annual comparison.
October 1, 2013
Slovenian Government to Approve Adjusted Budget
The Slovenian government today plans on implementing the revised budget for next year and the draft for the 2015 budget.
September 30, 2013
Eurozone: Inflation Drops to 1.1 Percent
According to first estimates by Eurostat, the Eurozone shows the lowest inflation rate in more than a year. Only twelve months ago the inflation rate was at 2.7 percent.
September 30, 2013
Rosneft Wants to Take over Majority of TNK-BP
The World’s biggest oil company Rosneft intends taking over British-Russian joint venture TNK-BP at the beginning of next year.
September 30, 2013
Austria: Public Debt Increased to 74.0 Percent of GDP
Public finances 2012: public deficit at 2.5 percent, public debt at 74.0 percent of GDP.
September 30, 2013
Austrian Industry Continues Upward Trend
Developments in Austria follow the European trend.
September 30, 2013
Hypo Group: Sale of Assets in SEE to Take Forms
The nationalized Austrian bank Hypo Group sells its assets in Southeastern Europe. The SEE-holding company will be established until the beginning of October.
September 29, 2013
"European bank supervision sends a strong signal to financial markets"
Austrian Federal Minister of Finance Maria Fekter welcomes favourable European Parliament decision on bank supervision.
September 28, 2013
Croatia Plans on Increasing VAT by Three Percent
Croatia eyes increased intermediate VAT from 10 to 13%.
September 27, 2013
Austria: Kapsch Demands Reform Agenda From New Government
Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) demands the next federal government to introduce a comprehensive reform agenda.
September 27, 2013
Croatia: Entry into Schengen Important, Not Decisive
Croatia plans to apply for accession to the Schengen passport-free area in two years.
September 27, 2013
Slovenia: PM Takes International Bailout into Consideration
For the first time the crisis-struck Eurozone member country has admitted to consider international bailout as an option for its ailing banks.
September 26, 2013
EU Commission: Poland Lacks in Innovation and Work Efficiency
According to the EU Commission’s annual report on the competitiveness among the EU member countries, which was released on Wednesday, Poland has been improving its competitiveness.
September 26, 2013
Slovenia: Economic Outlook Deteriorates
Slovenia has slipped back into recession as its real GDP declined by 2.3 % in 2012.
September 26, 2013
Croatia: Major Reforms Required for Economic Upturn
Croatia continues to suffer from recession - its economy has not grown since 2008, contracting in 2012 by 2% and in 2013 by 1%.
September 26, 2013
Ukraine: Provisional Free Trade with EU
According to Polish News Agency PAP, the EU countries have agreed to grant Ukraine a temporary use of a number of terms of the Association Agreements which will become effective even before the ratification process is completed.
September 26, 2013
Austria Placed 9th in Competition Ranking
According to the latest EU Competition report 2013, Austria ranks ninth among 28 member states. The leaders in the ranking are Sweden, followed by Germany and Denmark while Bulgaria, Latvia and Romania are at the lowest positions.
September 25, 2013
ESM Charges € 262 From Every Austrian
The establishing of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) burdens every Austrian citizens with an average amount of € 262. Luxembourg is the country contributing the most per capita followed by Ireland.
September 24, 2013
Serbia: EU Screening in Late September
Serbia’s EU accession explanatory screening will start in Brussels on 25 September.
September 24, 2013
Slovenia in a Decisive Phase
According to Bostjan Jazbec, Govenor of the Bank of Slovenia, the coming weeks will be critical for the small Eurozone member country.
September 23, 2013
Turkey: „Perhaps We Will Never Join the EU“
Turkey´s Minister of European Afffairs Egemen Bagis stated that Turkey feels insulted.
September 23, 2013
Head of Slovenia’s Chief Bank Arrested
Janko Medja, manager of Slovenia’s most important bank NLB, was arrested because of suspicion of corruption.
September 20, 2013
Faymann: Austria as Role Model for Investments and Employment Programs
The Austrian Chancellor calls for a fair distribution of wealth and lower taxes on wages.
September 20, 2013
Slovenia: First Budget Surplus in 2013
For the first time this year, Slovenia shows a budget surplus of € 15m. However, the deficit of the first eight months is as high as € 1.3bn, according to data by the Finance Ministry.
September 20, 2013
Turkey: Enthusiasm about EU Membership Shrinks
Fewer and fewer Turkish citizens are keen on an EU membership of their country.
September 20, 2013
Poland Trying to Eliminate Povery
The country plans on spending € 2bn in the combat against poverty.
September 19, 2013
WKO: Austrian Enterprises Miss out on Potential in Turkey
According to a commercial councelor at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) in Istanbul, Austria is focused too much on Eastern Europe. Switzerland exports triple the amount to Turkey.
September 19, 2013
Austria: WKO Demands Impulses for R&D
Deputy President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO), Martha Schultz, demands new impluses for research and innovation in the years from 2014 to 2020.
September 19, 2013
Romania Is Recovering According to PM
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta presented the key issues on the new agreement with the EU Commission, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to the parliament on Tuesday.
September 19, 2013
“Serbia Becomes the Driver of Reforms on the Western Balkans”
The Austrian government supports Serbia’s pro-European course.
September 18, 2013
EU Commissioner Füle Encourages Albania
EU Commissioner Štefan Füle discusses Albania's path to EU with new PM
September 18, 2013
Barroso: “Albania’s Future Is in The European Union”
President of the EU Commission Barroso is confident about Albania’s commitment.
September 17, 2013
Eurozone: Moderate Decrease of Inflation
Euro area inflation was 1.3% in August, down from 1.6% in July
September 17, 2013
