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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: Horror Figures with Hypo’s Restructuring Plan.

The restructuring plan for Hypo Alpe Adria involves several scenarios, which Finance Minister Fekter does not want to mention. The “horror figures” tax payers are burded with are set up “in an apocalyptical way”, according to her.
July 15, 2013


Austrian GDP Growth Above European Average

In 2012, Austria saw a growth of GDP of 0.9 percent which is signifantly above the European average.
July 12, 2013


Czech Republic: Gloomy Prospects for Economy

The Czech economy is shrinking. According to experts, new Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok will not be able to change much. Enterprises have started to cut back on investments.
July 12, 2013


Fekter: Capital Aids for Hypo Included in Next Budgets

Finance Minister Maria Fekter sticks to it: „We will reach a zero deficit in 2016 and have a slight surplus in 2017,”she announced during the presentation of the economic report 2013 on Wednesday.
July 11, 2013


Austrian Economy Dependent on Neighbor Countries

Austria’s economy is getting through the crisis better than the Eurozone. However, the country owes this partly to neighboring countries.
July 11, 2013


Slovenia Can Afford Bank Sector Cleanup Itself

Slovenia intends to use its own funds and avoid having to ask the Eurozone or IMF for aid to restore the stability of its banking sector, said the country's finance minister Uros Cufer.
July 10, 2013


IMF Downgrades Growth Prognosis for Eurozone

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the prospects of growth in the Eurozone are still positive. However, they are not as good as in April. Germany and Austria are concerned as well.
July 10, 2013


Spindelegger: Fitness Program for Austria

Austrian economy supposed to be boosted by reforms of “Unternehmen Österreich 2025, and a rejection of new taxes.
July 10, 2013


Serbia: Fight against Unemployment Key Aim of Government

Serbia's Government aims to cut down unemployment to below 20 percent and tries to attract new investors.
July 9, 2013


Slovenia’s Banking Sector Threatened by Delay of Bad Bank-Transfers

After the EU Commission denied approval for the first transfers of bad loans to the bank asset management by June 28, the reorganization of the banking system in Slovenia has been postponed.
July 9, 2013


Gazprom Runs Risk Of Losing Leading Position

Currently, only state-controlled energy giant Gazprom is permitted to export gas. Due to cooperations with French Total and Chinese enterprises, Moscow now intends to open the market.
July 9, 2013


Latvia: Joining the Eurozone

Lativa is becoming the 18th country in the Eurozone. The EU Economy and Finance Ministers have given their green light for the admission.
July 9, 2013


Fekter: Eurozone More Stable Than A Year Ago

Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter has described the condition of the Eurozone as “better” than compared to a year ago.
July 9, 2013


Poland: NBP Downgrades Forecasts for GDP and CPI

The National Bank of Poland (NBP) downgrades GDP and CPI forecasts over next two years.
July 9, 2013


Croatia: Majority of Croatian Citizens Approve of EU Membership

67.1 percent of Croatians support country's membership in EU.
July 9, 2013


Ukraine Looking for Alternative Gas Suppliers

Gas supply from Europe to Ukraine may stimulate pricing of Russian import.
July 8, 2013


OeNB Favors Examination of Bad Bank for Hypo

The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) has, according to Govenor Ewald Nowotny, requested to examine models for the establishing of a bad bank for Hypo Group. This was announced by Nowotny on Monday
July 8, 2013


Orban Accuses European Union of “Soviet-style Methods”

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban criticized the “troops of bureaucrats" who were unable to solve the economic crisis in Europe and who were now trying to denounce Hungary, which was on the road to recovery again.
July 5, 2013


Austria: Moderate Economic Upturn

After one year of a phase of stagnation, the Austrian economy shows recovery, according to the results of economic indicator by the OeNB (Austrian National Bank).
July 5, 2013


Hypo: Greens vs. Fekter

The debate about a Hypo Group has turned out a genuine match between deputy chief of the Austrian Green Party Werner Kogler and Finance Minister Fekter.
July 4, 2013


CEE Slowly Escapes Economic Crisis

Slovenia, Croatia and the Czech Republic have slipped into recession. Experts are particularly worried about the newest EU member.
July 4, 2013


Visegrad Four Support Ukraine’s EU Integration

At the V4 summit in Wisla/Poland Slovak President Gasparovic announced yesterday that the V4 countries are interested in Ukraine’s successful European integration, particularly in signing the Assciation Agreement with the EU.
July 4, 2013


Moody’s: Turmoils In Bulgaria Will Not Affect Fiscal Stability

According to rating agency Moody's, the ongoing political turmoil in Bulgaria is not expected to negatively affect the country's fiscal stability.
July 4, 2013


CESEE: GDP Growth in 2013 Weakest Since 2009

CESEE financial markets influenced by global liquidity debate.
July 4, 2013


Slovenia: Trying to Make a Difference

The crisis measures approved by Brussels are partially starting to make an impact. Since July 1, the higher tax rate of 22 percent is binding. However, the country does much more than just raise taxes.
July 3, 2013


EU Commissioner Open for Extension of Deadline for Hypo Group

EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia presented himself open to the extension of the winding-down of Hypo Group.
July 3, 2013


Alpine: Serbia to Withdraw from Contract

Serbia intends to withdraw from the building contracts for the construction of a highway with bankrupt Alpine within the next 15 days.
July 3, 2013


Orban Attacks European Parliament

Prime Minister Orban claims that members of the EP would apply double standards on Hungary.
July 2, 2013


Croatia To Issue Licenses for Exploration of Oil and Gas

Croatia plans to issue lucrative concession for the production of oil and gas from 2014 on.
July 2, 2013


Hypo Group: CEO Kranebitter Steps Back

Kranebitter announced to stay until the half-year accounts are published. On Monday it became known that the ailing bank will in all likelihood require more state aid than planned.
July 2, 2013


Hypo Group: CESEE Units to be Sold Until Mid-2015

The threatened compulsory sale of nationalized Hypo Alpe Adria Group by the EU Commission until the end of this year, was, according to information by the Finance Ministry, fended off. An additional burden of € 2bn might await the Austrian taxpayers.
July 1, 2013


Crisis in Slovenia Might Take Longer Than Expected

According to the latest economic report by auditing firm Ernst&Young;, the financial crisis in Slovenia will take longer than expected beforehand. However, the country should still be able to avoid international bailout.
July 1, 2013


Faymann: Croatians Realistic With EU Membership

Austrians have a positive attitude towards Croatia’s new membership.
July 1, 2013


Hypo Group: Government Hopes For Expansion of Deadline

The restructuring plan for Hypo Group has been handed in to Brussels. It is still unclear whether the deadline will be expanded.
July 1, 2013


Austrian Coalition to Take Stock of Legislative Period

In a joint interview with several leading Austrian newspapers, Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Deputy Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger take stock of the legislative period so far.
June 28, 2013


Austria: WIFO and IHS to Adjust Growth Perspectives Downwards

Experts at the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (WIFO) and the Institute for Higher Studies (HIS) have significantly cut their prognoses for the growth of domestic economy in 2013. However, both institutes are still optimistic for 2014.
June 28, 2013


Latvia Joining The Eurozone As 18th Member

Today the heads of states and governments of the European Union gave their blessing to Latvia’s entry to the Eurozone in 2014.
June 28, 2013


Slovenia Likely To Require Bailout

According to Capital Economics Ltd. Slovenia will in all likelyhood ask for a bailout to bolster its ailing banking sector in case the debt crisis in Europe should worsen.
June 28, 2013


Nabucco: Flop for OMV and EU

Petrom will resume exploration drilling in offshore Black Sea block.
June 27, 2013


Ukraine Could Become Energy Hub in Europe

According to EU Enlargement Commissioner Füle, Ukraine is an important partner of the EU.
June 26, 2013


Hypo Group: Commisson Against Extension of Deadline

Austria will in all probability not be granted an extension of the deadline for the winding down of Hypo Alpe Adria. This was announced by EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia
June 26, 2013


EU Accession Talks With Serbia Around the Turn of the Year

The EU Ministers for Foreign and European Affairs agree that EU Accession negotiations with Serbia should commence around the turn of the year.
June 25, 2013


EU Ready for Continuing Accession Talks

The European Union’s Foreign Ministers have agreed for the continuing of Accession negotiations with Turkey.
June 25, 2013


Slovenia Expects Economic Recovery As Soon As 2014

On Saturday, the Slovenian Finance Ministry expressed its confidence that the newly adopted action plan would help stabilize public finances and help gain economic recovery despite of Fitch’s downgrade.
June 24, 2013


Turkey: Prospects of EU Accession Talks Brighten

Turkey’s prospects of the continuing of the EU Accession negotiations have brightened. During a meeting in Luxembourg several foreign ministers took a much more moderate tone.
June 24, 2013


Mitterlehner: „4,000 New Austrian Exporters Within Two Years“

Internationalization Offensive (IO) “go international” will be prologued until 2015. Economy Minister Mitterlehner and head of the Chamber of Commerce (WKO) Leitl present their main targets for Austrian export.
June 21, 2013


Slovenia’s Economic Outlook to Deteriorate Further

The Institute for Macroeconomic Analysis and Development expects GDP in Slovenia to shrink more than projected earlier.
June 21, 2013


Last Try to Save Polish Airline LOT

Poland’s National Treasury starts a final attempt at saving Polish Airlines LOT.
June 21, 2013