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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
Hypo Group to Sell Austrian Affiliate
On Friday the deal of nationalized Hypo Bank’s Austrian affiliate will finally be sealed. Indian Srei Group will become the new owner in all likelyhood. The company will pay € 60m to € 70m.
May 29, 2013
Commission to Publish Reform Recommendations
24 countries, among them Austria, will receive recommendations for reforms by the EU Commission.
May 28, 2013
Turkey: Next Step Towards EU
According to Reuters, Turkey can now hope for its long-awaited next step towards an EU entry in June. France has lifted its opposition to the country’s EU Accession talks. Experts point out the great economic potential the country offers.
May 28, 2013
Romania to Enhance Shale Gas Production
Romania has announced to soon launch further tenders to increase the exploration of shale gas.
May 27, 2013
Hungary: EDP to Be Dropped.
Hungary can count on the termination of the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP) by the European Union.
May 27, 2013
Austria: Faymann Proposes Extension of Bank Levy
Not only the federation and taxpayers should avow for the losses at Hypo Group. This week the restructuring plan has to be handed to the EU Commission.
May 27, 2013
Commission Welcomes Slovenia’s Commitment
The EU Commission approved of Slovenia’s adoption of a balanced budget rule on Friday last week.
May 27, 2013
Croatia: PM Anxious About Country’s Image
Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic announced that Croatia had to fight hard for its reputation within the European Union.
May 27, 2013
Bosnia Under Pressure to Meet EU Accession Requirements
Bosnia is pressed to change legislation if it wants EU membership.
May 24, 2013
Austria: Faymann Positive About Extension for Hypo Group
Chancellor Werner Faymann presented himself restrained yet confident about the extension granted by the Commission regarding the deadline for the winding-down of Hypo Alpe Adria Group.
May 24, 2013
Slovenia: Huge Cuts in Complementary Budget
Foreign Ministry might be closed down since a 20 percent cut is proposed.
May 24, 2013
Nowotny: Decision About Bad Bank for Hypo Not Essential Right Now
The Governor of Austrian’s National Bank confirms that the result for the ailing Hypo Group will not be “good” due to the losses that have amounted over the past years.
May 23, 2013
Slovenia: Fiscal Rule to Be Introduced in 2015
Prime Minister Bratusek announced her consent to introduce fiscal rule in 2015.
May 23, 2013
Austrian Top Banker to Appear in „Offshore-Leaks“
For the first time, a European top banker appears in the “Offshore-Leaks” database. CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) Herbert Stepic is coming under massive pressure.
May 23, 2013
Tusk Encouraged to Run for European Commission Presidency
Polish Prime Minister Tusk confirmed his encouragement, but will decide at another point in time.
May 23, 2013
Srei Group to Offer € 65.6m for Hypo
The Indian Srei Group offers € 65.5m for Austrian Hypo affiliate.
May 22, 2013
Leitl: „EU Has To Deliver Clear Confession to Business Location Europe”
According to Leitl, the EU Summit has to deliver a “clear confession to business and industrial location” Europe.
May 22, 2013
Banking Secret until 2015 in European Union
The banking secret for tax foreigners in the European Union could finally be completely aborted by 2015. There is an ambiguity about Luxembourg’s position in advance to the EU mini-summit over the extended EU Savings Directive (EUSD).
May 22, 2013
Slovenia Taking Drastic Measures
NLB plans to cut workforce by 20 percent. The Slovenian government signed an agreement with unions to cut wage costs and is discussing to raise VAT. The country is hoping for € 1bn for the selling of state-owned enterprises.
May 22, 2013
Austria: Three Major Banks Have Made Their „Last Will“
Three Austrian banks have already made their „testament“. Erste Group, Raiffeisen and Bank Austria have presented plans for a possible restructuring. The plans are part of the future bank insolvency law.
May 22, 2013
“Ukraine's European Choice Is Irrevocable”
The strong pro-European civil movement in Ukraine made the country’s European choice irrevocable, declared the head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Jan Tombinski
May 21, 2013
Austria: Fekter’s Ambition to „Steer Hypo Group Into Safe Waters“
In the margin of the Council of Ministers, Finance Minister Maria Fekter announced that Austria will hand in the new restructuring plan for Hypo Alpe Adria Group to the EU Commission in the coming days.
May 21, 2013
Serbia Considering Loan Agreement With IMF
Serbia is considering discussing a possible IMF loan after EU entry talks are agreed on. German Finance Minister Guido Westerwelle announced his support in Serbia’s path to an EU membership.
May 21, 2013
Slovenia Hoping for Soon Recovery
Crisis-struck Slovenia intends to make more room financially by starting to privatize its state-owned banks. Experts regard the process to be carried out too slowly.
May 21, 2013
Austria: Preliminary Results on Hypo Group Expected Next Week
Hypo Group’s task force, appointed by the government, will present the preliminary corner marks next week.
May 17, 2013
Croatia: PM Warns Of Croatia Airlines’ Downfall
Prime Minister Milanovic stresses the need to make changes to guarantee a future for the airline company.
May 17, 2013
Poland: Tusk Potential Candidate for EU Commission Presidency
Polish Prime Minister Tusk among candidates for President of European Commission
May 17, 2013
Romania: Significant Decline in FDI
Foreign direct investments in Romania declined 41 percent due to ongoing economic difficulties in Eurozone member countries.
May 17, 2013
Hypo to Require € 1bn This Year
The ailing banking institute Hypo Group in the province of Carinthia will need € 1bn. On Friday, the managing board of Hypo Group will present a restructuring plan to the Finance Minister.
May 17, 2013
Austria: New Bidder for Hypo Group
Apart from Indian Srei Group, a new interested party has entered the match for the ailing banking institute.
May 16, 2013
Austria: Biggest Investor in Serbia
Serbia encourages Austrian enterprises to further invest in Serbian industries.
May 16, 2013
Voestalpine Hopes for Participation in South Stream Project
CEO Eder announced the Austrian Steel Manufacturer was leading “intensive” talks with Russian energy company Gazprom.
May 16, 2013
Poland: Rescue Loan for LOT Approved
A new law passed on Friday makes it possible to privatize Polish carrier LOT.
May 16, 2013
Austrian Government Desperate to Sell Hypo Group
Without an agreement for a new plan and without more time for the selling of the Eastern affiliates, the crisis-struck banking institute Hypo Alpe Adria Group will not be able to make up the balances anymore, according to Austrian newspaper Presse.
May 16, 2013
UK Believes Strongly Ukraine Should Be Part of EU
Foreign Secretary Hague affirmed the UK’s support and approval of Ukraine’s reform zeal.
May 15, 2013
Poland: Economy Not to Recover Before July
Polish economy is not expected to rebound as soon as the second half of this year and only on the condition that export partners see a growing GDP rate.
May 15, 2013
Austria: EU Competition Authority to Search Agrana
The European competition authority has paid a visit to listed starch and sugar producer Agrana in April.
May 15, 2013
Austria: Labor Restrictions for Croatian Citizens
The Austrian Foreign Ministry announced to use the maximum transitional period of seven years before Croatian citizens can enter the Austrian labor market.
May 15, 2013
Majority of Czechs Want to Keep the Koruna
A clear majority of Czech citizens reject the Euro and want to keep their national currency, the Czech Koruna.
May 14, 2013
Slovenia Pressed to Take “Swift and Decisive” Actions
On Monday Eurozone Finance Ministers warned Slovenia to take “swift and decisive” action to address its economic imbalances.
May 14, 2013
Austria to Give Up Bank Secret for Foreigners
After years of blocking, Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter gave green light to the abandoning of the bank secret for foreigners.
May 14, 2013
Indian Srei Group to Acquire Austrian Hypo?
Austria is looking for a buyer for the domestic Hypo affiliates. Indian Srei Group seems to have good chances.
May 13, 2013
EU Commission Expects Austria to Agree To EUSD
Head of Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem expects a constructive approach of Austria in the debate about the automatice exchange of data of tax foreigners in Europe.
May 13, 2013
US: Kerry Announced Support of Ukraine’s EU Integration
US Secretary of State John Kerry announced his support for Ukraine’s move towards an EU membership.
May 13, 2013
Austria: Domestic Banks Reject Taking Over Hypo Group
The task force, appointed for Hypo Alpe Adria Group by the government, held a meeting again today. It is only two more weeks until the suggestions have to be presented to Brussels. Domestic banks reject participating in a bad bank.
May 13, 2013
Russian’s Policy on Belarus: Support As a Means of Subordination
Despite the conflicts and frictions in their bilateral relations, Russia has for years regularly invested in Belarus, according to the Centre of Eastern Studies.
May 13, 2013
CEE/CESEE: Banking Sector on Fastlane
The banking sector in CEE continues to outperform its Western European counterpart.
May 13, 2013
Slovenia Likely To Require More State Funds Than Expected
According to Morgan Stanley, the Slovenian national treasury will need a further amount of € 11bn until 2016. Slovenian Finance Minister Cufer is expected to present the new program in Brussels today.
May 13, 2013
Austrian Bank Secret: Faymann Vs. Fekter
Austria‘s agreement to an automatic exchange of data has become a personal match between Chancellor Faymann and Finance Minister Fekter.
May 13, 2013