Austria - European Union Political News

Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian - European Union (Brussels) politics with reference to the international interest

Austria: Hypo Managing Board Warns of Losses

Hypo Group’s managers fear that selling the bank precipitately might lead to additional losses up to € 5bn for the bank and federal state.

March 7, 2013

Slovenia/Croatia: Agreement over Bank Dispute

After years of debate, there seem to be a final agreement in the fight for the insolvent Ljubljanska Banka. The settlement should pave the way for Croatia’s becoming an EU member state.

March 7, 2013

Hungary: Incoming National Economy Minister Summarizes Targets

Succeeding Minister of National Economy Mihály Varga outlined economic policy cornerstones

March 7, 2013

Hungary: Expropriation of Foreign Farmers

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced further steps and plans the dispossession of foreign investors.

March 7, 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

Bulgaria: Still Fighting Minimal Growth and Weak Economy

The Balkan country has the lowest living standards in the EU and the population’s frustration over its failure to improve the economic situation led to mass protests.

March 6, 2013

Poland: NBP Cuts Interest Rate to Record Low

The council of fiscal policy has cut interests rate down to 3.25 % which is the lowest since Poland’s democratic turnaround in 1989.

March 6, 2013

Slovakia: Growing Lack of Interest about Occurances in EU

The Slovak population has apparently lost its enthousiasm about EU politics. According to polls, only 40 % say they were interested in the current events.

March 6, 2013

EU: Slovenia´s Economy Shrinks Fastest

Second estimate for the fourth quarter of 2012: Euro area GDP down by 0.6% and EU27 down by 0.5%. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2011, the growth rates come at -0.9% and -0.6% respectively.

March 6, 2013

Hungary: GKI Forecasts Budget Deficit of HUF 200 bn

The Hungarian government is in complete opposite to GKI’s statement: forecasts economic growth of 1 % and does not see any concerns.

March 5, 2013

Latvia: Letter Requesting the Convergence Report is Signed

The Baltic country wants to become a member of the Eurozone by 2014.

March 5, 2013

Latvia: Eager for the Euro. But ready?

Latvia’s leadership considers adopting the Euro in 2015 or 2016. Despite of showing the fastest economic growth rate at 5.1 % in Europe, there is scepticism Latvian population.

March 4, 2013

Czech Republic: Economy still Down. Hopes are Up.

Specialists, despite of the current situation, predict slight economic growth for 2013 after year of recession.

March 4, 2013

Serbia: No Solution to Kosovo Issue Yet

At today’s trilateral meetings in Brussels for the sequel talks about the association Serb municipalities in Kosovo a gloomy atmosphere between the parties is predominant. Neither Serbia nor Kosovo want to step down from their claims.

March 4, 2013

Romania/Bulgaria: Germany Plans Veto against Schengen Entry

According to the journal “Spiegel”, the German government does not regard the two countries as Schengen-worthy.

March 4, 2013

Belka and Rostowski “Time to Move Up a Gear”

Governor of NBP (National Bank of Poland) Marek Belka and Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski want to accelerate Poland´s approach to the Eurozone.

March 4, 2013

Romania: Corlatean Questions Admittance to Schengen-Agreement

Exterior minister Corlatean shows no more interest in Romania’s joining the Schengen-zone. Several member states disapprove of this idea.

March 2, 2013

Austria: Public Spending Ratio Forces Country to Reforms

Austria’s economy is stronger than the European average, however, it is still in need of reforms. Suggestions are made by head of WIFO Aiginger who demands a new strategy until 2025.

March 2, 2013

Hungary: Matolcsy Becomes New Central Bank Governor

Prime Minister Orbán nominated the former National Economy Minister as the new governor of the MNB (National Bank of Hungary). Experts are concerned about the stability of the Forinth.

March 1, 2013

Serbia: Prime Minister Dacic Demands Separation of Kosovo

European Union and USA reject any change of boundery on the Balkan.

March 1, 2013

Austria: Record High in People Unemployed

At the end of February, 404,006 persons were seeking for a job. Compared to January this means an increase of 5.3 % or further 16,337 people jobless.

March 1, 2013

Euro Adoption: Poland Has No Fixed Date Yet

For the time being, Poland wants to meet the Maastricht Criteria. The date for entering the Eurozone will be fixed in 2015.

February 27, 2013

Slovakia: Unemployment Rate Reaches All-time High

Prime Minister Fico blames stagnating economy for highest unemployment rate since 2004.

February 27, 2013

Ukraine and EU Signed Memorandum of Understanding and Loan Agreement

Memorandum for the stability of Ukraine’s finance and economy was signed on the EU-Ukraine Summit.

February 27, 2013

CEZ: Czech Republic Calls Brussels for Help

After the Czech energy group CEZ has lost its license in Bulgaria, the Czech government wants Brussels to put pressure on Sofia.

February 25, 2013

Austria: Agrana Looking for New Market Shares in CEE and CESEE

CEO explains why Croatia and Serbia might be interesting settings

February 25, 2013 · Updated: February 25, 2013; 18:53

Czech Republic: Agrofert Takes Over German Bakery Chain Lieken

Barilla, the world’s leading manufacturer of pasta products, announced that it had fixed a deal with the Czech company Agrofert to sell the German baking enterprise, Lieken AG.

February 25, 2013

Hungary: Further Decline in Volume of Sales in Retail Trade

The volume of retail sales decreased by 2.1% in December and by 1.9% in the whole year compared with the previous period.

February 25, 2013

Poland: Rostowki’s Fight for the Euro

Even though Poland’s rating outlook has been revised from “A-“ to “A” by Fitch it still has to face political reforms in order to improve its economic competitiveness.

February 24, 2013

EU Commission: Austrian Growth Above EU Average

Unlike the Eurozone, Austria will record a positive growth rate this year. Within the EU, the situation is highly different.

February 22, 2013

Ukraine: Imports from EU Grew Stronger than Exports

EU27 surplus of 9 bn euro in trade in goods with Ukraine in 2012.

February 22, 2013

EU Foreign Trade with Russia and Turkey Growing Strongly

Last year, the EU has achieved a trade surplus of € 105bn. The trade surplus with Turkey was up by € 25bn. Exports to Russia were up by 15%.

February 15, 2013

“Austria’s interests are best represented in a competitive EU”

State Secretary Lopatka underlines the necessity of maintaining competitiveness in the EU.

February 14, 2013

“Mali to receive support from EU and Austria”

Development Ministers consult on new European development framework in Dublin.

February 13, 2013

Spindelegger: “Acceptable Result for Austria”

“For Austria, this result is not exactly a reason to be euphoric, but it is important both for Europe and for us that we have managed to reach an agreement.” Austria´s Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

February 12, 2013

Austrian Governing Parties Disagree on EU Budget

The Austrian people´s party (ÖVP) has criticized Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann (SPÖ). The social democrats argue that the coalition partner ÖVP has “no team sprit”.

February 11, 2013

Despite Budget Cut: Poland Receives More Money

“This is one of the happiest days of my life.” Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.

February 11, 2013

“Not Enough Support for Growth and Competitiveness“

Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries criticizes that the EU budget does not contain enough future investments.

February 9, 2013

EU Budget: Poland Among Main Beneficiaries

Although the EU budget was cut, Poland will receive more EU-funds than in the current period.

February 8, 2013

2014 - 2020: Austrian Net Contributions Rise Substantially

In the financial period from 2014 to 2020, Austria loses almost the half of its discount. The net contributions total € 1.15bn per year.

February 8, 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

Necas Supports Turkish EU Membership

On the occasion of Prime Minister Erdogan´s visit in Prague, his Czech counterpart Necas assured to support Turkey´s candidacy.

February 6, 2013

Austrian Government May Put Veto Against EU Budget

Members of the Austrian government fear that Austria may lose its discount. The annual loss would come at more than € 180m.

February 5, 2013

Austria´s Net Contributions to Brussels to Increase Significantly

At the moment, Austria´s net contributions come at 0.2% of GDP. From 2014 to 2020, the figure may increase to 0.36% of GDP.

February 2, 2013

Hungarian Unemployment High, But Slight Downward Trend

Hungarian Ministry of Economics: “Unemployment up in the EU but trend continues down in Hungary.”

February 2, 2013

Hungary: “EU funds to be spent on economic development”

In the 2014-2020 fiscal period of the European Union, Hungary will allocate the 60 percent of EU resources to stimulating growth and the development of the economy,

February 2, 2013

Schwarzenegger Calls for a “Sexy, Hip” Approach at the Vienna R20 Conference

Arnold Schwarzenegger called for an end to “doom and gloom” environmentalism and more of a “sexy, hip” approach at the Vienna R20 Conference.

February 1, 2013

Erdogan Considers Joining „Shanghai Five“

Turkey´s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan increases the pressure on the EU. He considers a political re-orientation towards the east.

February 1, 2013

Poland to Fulfill Convergence Criteria Gradually

Governor of NBP (National Bank of Poland) Marek Belka argues that the country will not meet all the Maastricht Criteria simultaneously.

January 31, 2013

EU Wants Austria to Give Up Bank Secret

Commissioner Algirdas Semeta threatens with a complaint against Austria. According tom him, Austria and Luxembourg are blocking the automatic information exchange.

January 25, 2013