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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


New Fiscal Rules in EU Six-Pack to Benefit CEE5

New fiscal rules should reduce risk of self-defeating austerity. There is no need for CEE countries to raise taxes if they stick to growth-friendly policies and cap real increase of expenditures below 1%.
April 15, 2013


Eurozone: Trade Surplus € 1.3bn Y/Y

Euro area international trade in goods surplus € 10.4 bn
April 15, 2013


Cyprus Grants Damaged Foreign Investors Citizenship

Instead of the so-far € 10bn, investors now only have to endow € 3bn in order to obtain the Cyprian citizenship.
April 15, 2013


Slovenia to Sell Two State Enterprises

On a press conference on Friday, Prime Minister Bratusek announced the selling of two state-owned companies, one of them being a bank.
April 13, 2013


EU Threatens Hungary With Process

The EU Commission has warned Hunary with a lawsuit in case the government in Budapest should not withdraw the controversial amendmends to the consititution.
April 12, 2013


EU Examines Bulgarian Electricy Market

On request of the Bulgarian Government, an expert group will examine the prices for electricity after the protests. Another issue is the independence of the energy regulator.
April 12, 2013


Cyprus to Receive More Capital

Cyprus requires more money than expected and will receive it. Head of Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, has promised an examination if money laundering exists.
April 12, 2013


1.4 Million Austrians At Risk of Poverty

According to the most recent EU social report, 1.4m Austrians are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Social Minister Hundstorfer regards Austria be on the right path in the fight against poverty.
April 12, 2013


Cyprus: Bail-Out Package More Expensive Than Thought

The aid-money needed increases from € 17.5bn to € 23bn, according to Cyprian government.
April 11, 2013


Bulgaria: Commission Forcasts Economic Imbalances until 2015

EU Commission: Trend of reducing imbalances in Bulgarian economy is confirmed
April 11, 2013


Fekter: „Austria is a High-Tax Country“

Bank secrecy will be an official issue at the meeting of EU finance ministers in Dublin on Saturday. Fekter criticizes the UK sharply.
April 11, 2013


Austria: Great Demand in Two New Federal Bonds

In a double syndicated loan, the Austrian state has taken out € 4.5bn and issued two new federal bonds.
April 11, 2013


Serbia: Vucic „Deeply Disappointed“

Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has given up hope for a new date in June for the beginning of EU accession negotiations. Russian Prime Minister Medvedev expressed support.
April 11, 2013


Bad Outlook for Slovenia’s Economy

Slovenia receives bad marks in a report by the EU Commission. Together with Spain, Slovenia’s economy is endagered to collapse in case measures will not be made in the next few weeks.
April 11, 2013


Cyprus to Sell Gold Reserves

The country has to sell reserves in the amount of € 400m. In the meantime, the banking sector has been cut down to one half of its former size.
April 10, 2013


Eurozone: Refinancing Gap of € 1.2 Trillion

Austrian banks are at EU average and show a finance gap of € 30bn.
April 10, 2013


Austria: Will Holidays on Thursdays be Abolished?

Minister of Infrastructure, Bures and President of IV announced to discuss the matter.
April 10, 2013


Household Assets in Austria Lower Than in Spain

The proportion of owned homes in Austria and Germany is below 50 % and one of the reasons why household assets are on the lower end of the scale.
April 10, 2013


Hungary: Commissioner Reding’s Reactions to Allegations

EU Justice Commissioner and Deputy President of the EU Commission Viviane Reding has reacted to the accusations of the Hungarian government.
April 10, 2013


Austria: Significant Increase in Exports

Imports Increased by 0.3 %. Exports Increased by 7.1 %. According to preliminary results by Statistics Austria, total imports amounted to € 10.31 bn and total exports amounted to € 9.96 bn in January 2013.
April 10, 2013


Slovakia: Barroso and Fico Examine Effective Use of EU Funds

Barroso pointed out his interest in avoiding losses for Slovakia. Experts are supposed to examine the effective use of funds and Slovakia’s financial engagement.
April 9, 2013


Austria About to Lose Fiscal Secret

The Austrian government declared to negotiate with the EU about the abanonment of the fiscal secret.
April 9, 2013


Commission Criticizes Austria on Keeping Bank Secret

EU Tax Commissioner Algirdas Semeta considers Austria’s position to hold on to the bank secret and unwilligness to reform as “impossible”.
April 9, 2013


Fekter: “I Will Fight to Preserve Banking Secrecy in Austria!”

“Data protection is a valuable institution. We will continue to protect innocent citizens, but will also continue to lead the way in pursuing tax evaders.”
April 8, 2013


Russia to Contribute to Cyprus Aid-Package

President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia will contribute to rescue-package for Cyprus.
April 8, 2013


Austria: Unemployment Rate to Remain High

According to AMS, the public employment service in Austria, the unemployment rate will stay on the high level it shows right now. The labor market situation will only ease in 2016.
April 8, 2013


Concern About Hypo Group in Friuli

MEP Serracchiani has requested to get involved in the current affairs.
April 8, 2013


ILO Warns of Social Unrest in Europe

Because of the continuing high figures in unemployment in great parts of Europe, experts warn of social unrest.
April 8, 2013


Barroso: „Existantial Crisis is Over“

President of EU Commission Jose Manuel Barroso came to Vienna to meet with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger.
April 6, 2013


Matolcsy’s Program Evokes Mixed Feelings.

During a press conference on Thursday, April 4, new Govenor of Hungarian National Bank (MNB), György Matolcsy presented some of the “creative financial market instruments”.
April 6, 2013


Investigation Report Incriminates Managers of Bank of Cyprus

Mass purchase of Greek state bonds and removing of data.
April 5, 2013


Decisions About Hypo Group’s Future Still Pending

Finance Minister Maria Fekter has presented herself rather reserved after the meeting with EU Commissioner for Competition Joaquin Almunia.
April 5, 2013


Fekter Defends Austrian Bank Secret

With the reference to the agreement with Switzerland and Lichtenstein, Finance Minister Fekter tries to convince the EU Commission to leave the Austrian bank secret at the current situation.
April 5, 2013


Austria: Fekter Craving for Indulgence in Brussels

Austrian Finance Minister Fekter will be in Brussels on Friday to negotiate about the privatization of the nationalized-by –force Hypo Group.
April 4, 2013


Turkey’s Hopes of a Reunited Cyprus

The financial crisis in Cyprus is, according to Turkish President Abdullah Gül, an important opportunity to overcome the seperation of Cyprus.
April 4, 2013


Cyprus: Evidence Destroyed?

According to reports by the media in Cyprus, important evidence about the heavily affected Bank of Cyprus was destroyed.
April 4, 2013


Keuschnigg Forecasts End of Bank Secret in Austria

Head of the Austrian Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS), Christian Keuschnigg expects the end of the bank secret in Austria.
April 3, 2013


Law Files Against Bulgaria from EVN and CEZ.

Power Suppliers EVN, CEZ and Energo Pro have to face high losses. CEZ announced to file a law against Bulgaria as well.
April 3, 2013


Romania: Ponta Endorses Regionalization

Regionalization, which is encompassed in the constitutional reforms, is supposed to help improve the administrative situation in Romania.
April 3, 2013


Slovakia: Industrial Production Increases by 4.1 %

Production still driven by the automotive industry. Industrial production in January 2013 increased month-on-month by 4.1%.
April 3, 2013


Cyprus: Prone to Recession

Despite of the bail-out package, the country is threatened by a deep recession in the coming two years.
April 3, 2013


Referendum in Poland about Joining Eurozone

Last week, Prime Minister Donald Tusk offered a vote on a referendum about the adoption of the Euro in Poland. A simple majority needed for a decision could settle the issue.
April 2, 2013


Green’s Fear of Russian Black Money in Austria

Once more, the Austrian Greens insist on a reform of the bank secrecy.
April 2, 2013


Cyprus: Finance Minister Steps Down

According to reports by the media, Finance Minister of Cyprus, Michael Sarris will be replaced.
April 2, 2013


Lithuania and Latvia Preparing for Euro

The Baltic finance ministers emphasize sustainable growth and euro importance.
April 2, 2013


Bulgaria: Budget Deficit Amounting to BGN 732.0m

The budget balance under the Consolidated Fiscal Programme (CFP) as of end-February 2013 is negative, amounting to BGN 732.0 million.
April 2, 2013


Cyprus: Anastasiades Comes Under Suspicion

President Nikos Anastasiades is in dire straits as he is accused of having transferred huge amounts of money to foreign countries and having warned relatives. In the meantime, the austerity package is almost set.
April 2, 2013


Slovenia: “We Will Need No Bailout This Year”

Since Greece, Spain and Cyprus are currently finding themselves in disastrous economic situations, Slovenia does not want to seem like the next bail-out candidate.
March 30, 2013