Austria - European Union Political News

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

Spindelegger: Support for Serbian EU Membership

Vice Chancellor and Exterior Minister Michael Spindelegger has promised full support for Serbia on its way to a full EU membership.

May 6, 2013

EU: Hungary and Slovenia Have to Act Quickly

The European Union issued warnings to Slovenia and Hungary to move quickly.

May 6, 2013

30th Financial Conference - Where are we and where are we headed?

Slovenia will witness further privatisation in 2013

May 6, 2013

Austria: Restructuring Plan for Hypo Group Threatened By Rejection

The restructuring plan of Austrian crisis-struck banking institute Hypo Group is threatened to be rejected by the EU Commission.

May 6, 2013

Rehn: „Everything Needs to Be Done Against Unemployment“

Commissioner Rehn announced the economy would slowly emerge from recession. Stabilization is expected in the first half of 2013.

May 3, 2013

Dacic to Promote for Serbian Economy in US

Serbia's Prime Minister plans economic trip to United States.

May 3, 2013

Albania and Poland to Enhance Diplomatic Relations

Albania's Minister of Foreign Affairs received the Ambassador of Poland, Mr. Marek Jeziorski this week.

May 3, 2013

Czech Republic to Improve EU Relations?

Visits from high EU officials should herald the start of a new era in the relation between the Czech Republic and the EU.

May 3, 2013

Romania: Confident About Economic Recovery

According to a survey, Romanians are among the most confident citizens in Europe about the recovery of their economy.

May 2, 2013

Austria: Commission Wants Roadmap to Hypo’s Future

The EU Commission wants the Austrian government to announce the next steps for Hypo Group until the end of this month.

May 2, 2013

Leitl: „Cut of Base Rate by ECB Important and Necessary Signal“

President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Christoph Leitl welcomed the cut of the main refinancing rate to 0.5 percent.

May 2, 2013

Hypo Group to Get a Bad Bank?

Chancellor Faymann confirmed negotiations about the establishing of a bad bank for non-performing loans.

April 30, 2013

Lopatka: „Poland Important Economic Partner and Ally of Austria in EU“

Austrian State Secretary encourages bilateral relations and trade between the two Central European countries as well as improved relations between EU and US.

April 30, 2013

Joint Energy Diversification Plans for Ukraine and EU

Ukraine and EU share Energy Diversification Plans - Energy Community Official.

April 30, 2013

Eurozone: Inflation Decreased Slightly

Euro area annual inflation down to 1.2%

April 30, 2013

Austria Still With Lowest Unemployment Rate

Euro area unemployment rate at 12.1%. EU27 at 10.9%

April 30, 2013

Austria: Government Shows Unanimity About Banking Secret

Fekter criticized Social Democrats.

April 30, 2013

Cyprus: Parliament to Vote on Bail-Out Package Today

Narrow majority of MPs expected to vote in favor.

April 30, 2013

Asmussen: “New Eurozone Members Will Reap Benefits of Initial Phase”

CEEs and The Crisis: Current Challenges and Benefits

April 30, 2013

2013 IIF Annual Meeting of Central and East European Bank Chief Executives

The 2013 Annual Meeting of Central and Eastern European Bank Chief Executives, hosted by Deutsche Bank AG, will take place on April 28-30 at Deutsche Bank’s office in Berlin.

April 29, 2013

Selling of Hypo Group Would Cost Austria Dearly

The selling of Hypo Group would cost the Austrian state around € 16bn.

April 29, 2013

„Slovenia Can Manage On Its Own“

In an interview with Austrian newspaper Kurier, President of the Slovenian Bankers Association France Arhar stresses that Slovenia is not the new Cyprus.

April 29, 2013

EU Ready to Adopt Measures Over CEZ in Bulgaria

Van Rompuy promised to take actions during his visit in Prague.

April 29, 2013

Eurozone: Household Savings Rate Decreased Significantly

Household saving rate down to 12.2% in the euro area and to 10.7% in the EU27. Household real income per capita fell by 1.1% in the euro area.

April 29, 2013

Business Investment Rate Decreased 19.7 % in Eurozone

Business investment rate down to 19.7% in the euro area and to 19.6% in the EU27. Business profit share down to 37.7% and 37.3% respectively

April 29, 2013

Tax Burden: Austria Above EU Average

The overall tax-to-GDP ratio in the EU27 up to 38.8% of GDP in 2011. Labour taxes remain major source of tax revenue.

April 29, 2013

Austria: Solution for Bank Secret Issue Until May 22

After the recent turbulances within the Austrian government coalition, Chancellor Werner Faymann hopes to find an agreement with the EU concerning the bank secret until May 22.

April 29, 2013

Van Rompuy Encourages Romania to Become Eurozone Member

During his one-day visit to the Romanian capital, President of the European Council Van Rompuy noted Romania’s progress and stressed the importance of a banking union within the Eurozone.

April 26, 2013

EU Commission to Start Proceedings Against Hungary

On Wednesday, Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding told reporters in Brussels that the EU Commission will probably launch infringement proceedings against Hungary.

April 26, 2013

Austria: Faymann Betrays Ignorance

Chancellor Faymann claims not to have known about the controversial letter which has reached the media yesterday. He fears that Austria would now become a “laughingstock”.

April 26, 2013

Austria: Four Conditions For Commission In Return for Bank Secret

In a letter to Tax Commissioner Semeta Austrian Finance Minister Fekter and Chancellor Faymann set the conditions for the agreement of a negotiation mandate with third countries about the exchange of information.

April 25, 2013

Austria: Green’s Motion of Censure Denied

The Green Party’s motion of censure against Finance Minister Fekter was denied by almost all parties in the National Assembly.

April 25, 2013

Poland to Support Serbia's European Integration

Dacic and Tusk agreed on improving cooperations, enhancing bilateral trade and increase Polish investments in Serbia.

April 25, 2013

Poland: Public Deficit Targed Missed

Rowstowski does not expect the excessive deficit procedure to be lifted.

April 24, 2013

Ukraine and Ireland to Sign Double Tax Agreement

Ukraine and Ireland signed a Double Tax Agreement in Kyiv during the official visit of Irish Minister of State at the Department of Finance Brian Hayes.

April 24, 2013

Austrian Greens Put Forward Motion of Censure Against Fekter

The Austrian Greens intend to file a motion of censure against Finance Minister Maria Fekter. Party Leader Eva Glawischnig announced a “match of Greens against Fekter”.

April 24, 2013

Romania: Criticism from EU for Budget Projection

The EU Commission criticizes Romania’s budget projections for the use of EU funds in the time frame between 2014 and 2020.

April 24, 2013

Albania: Under EU’s Watch

Brussels called for further modernizations of the judiciary in Albania before the EU considers Accession talks with the country. Futhermore the union announced to keep a close eye on the elections in June.

April 24, 2013

EU Commission Waiting For Austria’s Decision

The EU Commission expects a uniform stance in regard to Austria’s bank secret and the transition to automatic exchange of information.

April 23, 2013

Nowotny Concerned About Reputation of Austrian Banks

Ewald Nowotny, Govenor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), is critical towards the continuing debate about keeping the bank secrecy. He fears that doubts in the integrity of the domestic banking sector could emerge.

April 22, 2013

Former Polish President: “EU Needs Ukraine”

In an interview with Polish news magazine Wprost, former Polish president Aleksandar Kwasniewski explains that in the future, the EU will need Ukraine.

April 22, 2013

Eurozone: Government Deficit Decreased to 3.7 % in 2012

Euro area and EU27 government deficit at 3.7% and 4.0% of GDP respectively. Government debt at 90.6% and 85.3%

April 22, 2013

EU Accession Date for Serbia Voted on Today

On Friday, heads of Serbian and Kosovar government Ivica Dacic and Hashim Thaci have come to an agreement under the the special guidance of EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton.

April 22, 2013

Austria: National Assembly to Vote on Bail-Out Package for Cyprus

In order for Cyprus‘ bail-out package to become effective, many national parliaments have to vote in favor of it. Austrian’s opposition is against it.

April 22, 2013

Czech President to Visit Austria

New President of the Czech Republic Milos Zeman is going to visit Austria with his wife Ivana Zemanova on Tuesday and Wednesday.

April 22, 2013

EU Countries to Use Ukrainian Gas Storage Facilities

EU Countries Show Interest in Ukraine’s Gas Transportation System

April 19, 2013

Serbia: Agreements in Kosovo Negotiations

Commissioner Ashton announced that both countries have found an arrangement.

April 19, 2013

9.2 Million EU Citizens Wish To Work More Hours

Labour Force Survey: Proportion of underemployed part-time workers up to 21.4% in the EU27 in 2012

April 19, 2013

Schwarzenberg: „Slovenia Joining V4 Would Not Be Efficient“

V4 Foreign Ministers have declared disapprobation of Slovenia joining the group.

April 19, 2013

EU27: Surplus of € 21.8bn in Last Quarter of 2012

Second estimate for the fourth quarter of 2012 EU27 current account surplus 31.4 bn euro 36.2 bn euro surplus for trade in services.

April 19, 2013