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Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian - European Union (Brussels) politics with reference to the international interest
Austria - European Union Political News
Reform Backlog Prevents Austria Being a Success Model
The chairman of the WIFO, Karl Aiginger considers that Austria’s future capital has been gambled away because of lack of reforms. The EU, however, is "not on track" either.
January 19, 2011
Hungary: Calls for Boycotts against Foreign Companies in Hungary
A Hungarian initiative demands that 13 foreign companies be boycotted, including Austrian OMV
January 18, 2011
New Perspectives for Nabucco
The European Commission wants to commit Azerbaijan to supply gas to Europe. This is expected to be done via the Nabucco pipeline.
January 14, 2011
WKÖ endorses policy of the European Commission
The Austrian Economic Chamber welcomes the focus of the EU Commission on structural reforms, consolidation of public finances and competitiveness.
January 13, 2011
Recovery in Austria´s Labor Market Continues
The domestic labor market´s data for 2010 were better than expected. The number of job-seekers declined by 3.7%
January 8, 2011
Demands for Financial Transactions Tax
The Chairman of the Austrian Provincial Governors’ Conference, Josef Pühringer, demands the introduction of a pan-European financial transactions tax.
January 7, 2011
Strong Increase in Austrian Foreign Trade Figures
January to October 2010: imports and exports increased by more than 15%
January 6, 2011
Special Tax: Hungary Under Fire
Especially the Austrian economy criticizes the Hungarian special tax on large companies. The EU Commission has already started an investigation.
January 4, 2011
New Responsibilities for the Financial Market Authority
As of 2011, the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has to face new challenges. The focus is on the fight against money laundering.
January 3, 2011
Experts: No Failures in the Austrian Labor Market
The last hurdles for the new EU-members to enter the Austrian labor market will fall in May 2011. However, even the unions has no concerns.
January 3, 2011
13 CEOs Call For Sanctions Against Hungary
Because of the new taxes introduced by the Hungarian government, a group of prominent European CEOs call for EU-sanctions.
January 2, 2011
State Secretary for Finance: Euro-bonds as a Medium-term Strategy
The Austrian State Secretary for Finance, Andreas Schieder, does not discard Euro-bonds, against the majority view of German and Austrian politicians.
December 31, 2010
Austria's Labor Market Opens
As of May 1, 2011 the German and Austrian labor markets open for the new EU citizens. Romania and Bulgaria will follow suit in 2013.
December 30, 2010
Spindelegger: Turkey's Joining the EU Will Not Happen Before 2024
In an interview with the "Wirtschaftsblatt", the Austrian Foreign Minister stresses the relevance of Turkey. Croatia should come into the EU much earlier EU.
December 29, 2010
Economic Chamber Criticizes Import Control System
According to the WKÖ, Austrian businesses incur additional costs and bureaucracy by the import control system.
December 27, 2010
Austrian Official Debt Level Rises
Due to the EU-wide commitment to a more transparent presentation of liabilities, the official debt ratio of Austria will continue to increase.
December 21, 2010
WKÖ: EU patent to stimulate Austrian innovation
The Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ) welcomes the enhanced cooperation for the EU-wide patent and hopes to obtain benefits for the domestic economy.
December 16, 2010
More Employees in Austria, Purchasing Power and Taxes Remain High.
Austria records an employment increase of 1.2%. Purchasing power and taxes are above the international average.
December 15, 2010
Austrian Economic Chamber is Against Euro-Bonds
Chamber President Leitl calls for an in-depth cooperation in economic policy instead of euro-bonds.
December 15, 2010
Risk of Poverty for 12% of Austrians
By 2008, 12.4% of the Austrian populatin is threatened by poverty. The average of the EU countries amounts to 17%.
December 14, 2010
Nowotny: No Euro-bonds Yet
Although he supports the euro-bonds in principle, the time has not come yet for the Governor of the Austrian National Bank.
December 10, 2010
Corruption in Austria: 9% Pay Bribes
Austria follows the international trend of growing corruption. 25% are ready to pay bribes worldwide.
December 10, 2010
Austrian Economic Chamber Supports Development of the Danube as a Transportation Route
Austrian Economic Chamber President Christoph Leitl supports the EU's Danube region strategy to expand infrastructure between the Danube countries.
December 10, 2010
Austrian Resistance Against Euro Bonds
Massive criticism comes from Germany, the Netherlands and Austria against the proposal to implement euro bonds to stabilize the currency in the EU.
December 8, 2010
Strong Growth in Foreign Trade
In the first nine months, Austria imported goods for € 82.45bn (+14.8%). Exports increased by 5.8% to € 79.69bn.
December 8, 2010
Nowotny Pleads for Euro-Bonds
The governor of the Austrian National Bank, Ewald Nowotny, is for the introduction of euro-bonds. Germany’s resistance is pre-programmed.
December 6, 2010
Leitl Vehemently Defends Euro Protection Shield
The President of the WKÖ (Austrian Federal Economic Chamber), Christoph Leitl, gives a clear answer to the euro critics: without the euro, Austria would have become a problematic case in 2009.
December 6, 2010
EU Growth Forecast: Austria Slightly Over Average
The EU Commission has revised its growth forecast for 2011 slightly upwards. Austria stays at 1.7% in the above average area.
November 30, 2010
OeNB Governor Nowotny Approves of Ireland Protection Measures
The governor of the Austrian National Bank says the decisions on Ireland and the European stability mechanism are positive.
November 29, 2010
Europe's Public Debt and Unemployment Remain High
Austrian Institute of Economic Research: The revival of the EU states, driven by expansionary economic policies and export growth, is ebbing.
November 25, 2010
Walter Grahammer Becomes the New Austrian Ambassador in Brussels
Previously, Grahammer acted as Head in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
November 24, 2010
Study: Agricultural Subsidies Produce No Growth
The Austrian Institute of Economic Research has determined that growth in the Austrian regions is accelerated by EU regional promotional financing, but not by agricultural subsidies.
November 18, 2010
Industry Welcomes EU Energy Infrastructure Package
Secretary General of the Federation of Austrian Industrialists, Markus Beyrer: the package is also important to achieve energy and climate objectives.
November 17, 2010
OeNB Governor Nowotny "During the Crisis, the Euro Acted as a Protection Shield Beyond the Euro Area"
The Governor of the Austrian National Bank, Ewald Nowotny warns to fiscal discipline and talks about economic challenges and opportunities in Europe.
November 15, 2010
Strabag: Major Contract in Romania for 220 Million Euro
A consortium led by Austria's Strabag has won a contract to build a Romanian motorway for 220.6 million euro.
November 11, 2010
Protectionism in Favor of Casinos Austria and Novomatic?
The licenses for lotteries and casinos after 2011 are already reserved for Novomatic and Casinos Austria, is the allegation.
November 3, 2010
AUA Flights to Russia Secured
While the problem of AUA landing rights in Russia has been solved for Lufthansa until March, Austria is being accused of breach of contract by the European Commission.
October 29, 2010
EU Funds to Finance Brenner Tunnel until 2015
The European Commission has extended its partial financing commitment for the Brenner tunnel. However, appropriate measures must be taken soon. Deliberations are still underway at present.
October 28, 2010
AUA Flight Rights in Russia: EU Proceedings Against Austria
Due to the so far preferential treatment of Austrian Airlines in Russia, Austria is now accused by the European Commission of breach of contract.
October 27, 2010
Flexible Working Hours: Top Position of Austria in Europe
Both employers and workers benefit from what the crisis achieved, according to the EU Commission. However, additional flexibility does not bring in itself greater equality.
October 27, 2010
IMF Considers Recovery as "Moderate and Uneasy"
Growth in Europe seems to be normalizing slowly. Dynamism is missing though, and many vulnerabilities are as yet unresolved.
October 20, 2010
Tax Evaders Targeted by the Ministers of Finance
Budget problems plague the majority of EU countries. In addition to budget discipline, the prosecution of tax evaders is to be addressed.
October 18, 2010
EU: Austria's Actual Net Contribution has Risen to 342 Million Euro
The net contribution to the EU rose again last year. Poland, with 6.5 billion euro is for the first time the biggest net recipient. Germany remains the biggest net payer with 8.1 billion euro.
September 28, 2010
Albania - Green light for new power plant of Verbund and EVN
The EU's competition authorities have approved a joint power plant project of Verbund and EVN in Albania.
August 20, 2010
Banks' equity - "Basel III costs 46 000 jobs"
The stricter rules for the equity of banks will reduce lending by up to 20 percent, says the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) in Vienna.
July 21, 2010
Hungary rejects additional austerity measures
Hardened front between the Hungarian government on the one hand and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the EU on the other side: highly-indebted Hungary has ruled out further austerity measures.
July 19, 2010
EURO - Confidence returns
Patient Euro is on the road to recovery. Europe's debt crisis and the financial problems mainly of Greece greatly affected the exchange rate earlier this year. Now, the Euro regains strength. After the low of $1.18, the Euro recovered step by step rising
July 16, 2010
Defying EU fusion reactors
According to calculations of the Green Party Federal Councillor Elisabeth Kerschbaum the project costs Austria €158m.
July 15, 2010
Pröll on economic status quo, "thunder and lightning are over"
The EU has demonstrated that "it is able to act in one of the worst crises, even if there were some mistakes," says Austrian Finance Minister Josef Pröll.
July 12, 2010
EU - Austria granted to extend bank aid package
The European Commission extended the authorization for the Austrian bank rescue package of €100b ($123b) for half a year.
June 25, 2010
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