Austria - European Union Political News

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

Historical Moment for Serbia And Kosovo

Both governments have come to an agreement, similar to the Treaty on the Basis of Relations (Basic Treaty) between the two German states.

March 16, 2013

Cyprus to Receive € 10bn in EU Aid Money

Russia being the biggest investor in Cyprus offered extension of credits. In return, austerity measures and reforms are demanded.

March 16, 2013

Future of the EU Requires Solidarity And Integration

The EU has declared the year 2013 to be the “year of citizens”. The citizens of the EU should become aware of their European identity and their rights that come along with it.

March 15, 2013

Romanian Labor Costs Increased Dramatically

The EU average increase in labor costs in the 4th quarter in 2012 increased by 1.3 % throughout the EU. Front runner turns out to be Romania.

March 15, 2013

Hungary: Orban Rejects Criticisms

After making amendments to the Hungarian constitution, Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his leading Fidezs party have to face harsh criticisms. EU Justice Commissoner Viviane Reding announced to take measures.

March 15, 2013

Russia: Banks At Risk Of Losing Billions

According to rating agency Moody’s, Russians banking institutes are at risk of losing money to investments in Cyprus.

March 14, 2013

Economic Convergence: Slovenia Falls Back

In 2012, GDP in the euro area declined by 0.5%, as economic situation also worsened in the core countries. The gap by which Slovenia trails the euro area average further deepened.

March 14, 2013

Eurozone: Cut in Interest Rate Not Necessary

According to govenor of the Austrian National Bank an interest rate cut to improve the economic situation in the eurozone is not required at the moment. UKIP Leader Farage criticizes politicians for denying problems in eurozone.

March 14, 2013

Austria Welcomes Agreement between Croatia and Slovenia

"The last stumbling block for Croatia's accession to the EU has been removed by solving the Ljubljanska Banka issue."

March 13, 2013

Mignon (PACE) Praises Serbia For Progresses

Today, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Jean-Claude Mignon gave credit to Serbia’s progress in the execution of reforms and expressed faith in finding solution for the Kosvo issue.

March 12, 2013

Hungary: Constitutional Amendmends Signed By Vast Majority

EU Commission fears that Hungary’s state institutions will have to experience major restrictions.

March 12, 2013

Austria: Hypo Group Still Sailing in Stormy Waters

Hypo Group wants a fast selling until the end of 2013. Vending of Italian and CESEE subsidiaries could take longer as the economic situation is not appealing at the moment.

March 12, 2013

Austria: Nationalizing Hypo Group Prevented BayernLB from Losses

EU Competition Commission pushes the Austrian government to shut down the loss-making Hypo Group.

March 11, 2013

Hungary: Former President Urges Successor to Veto

Former President Lazlo Solyom warns his follower, President Janos Ader,in a dramatic speech of the end of checks and balances in Hungary’s political system.

March 11, 2013

Czech Republic: Slight Increase of Consumer Price Index

Consumer prices in February increased by 0.1% compared with January. This rise came primarily from price increases in 'transport' and 'recreation and culture'. The year-on-year growth of consumer prices decelerated to 1.7% in February (1.9% in January).

March 11, 2013

Slovenia/Croatia: Paving the Way for Brussels

Today, both heads of government, Janez Jansa and Zoran Milanovic, signed the “Memorandum of Understanding” in Mokrice which will permit Croatia to become a full EU member.

March 11, 2013

Bulgaria: EVN Under Surveillance

While the Austrian power supplier EVN is currently kept under surveillance of the Bulgarian judiciary and government, protests by the citizens all over the country continue.

March 11, 2013

Austria: Optimistic Economy Minister Forecasts Economic Growth

In an interview with Wirtschaftsblatt, Austria’s economy minister, Reinhold Mitterlehner, forecasts an economic growth rate of 2 % for the next year, 2014.

March 11, 2013

Hungary: Demonstrations in Budapest

Protests against the planned constitutional amendmends took place on Saturday, March 9. US and EU express their concern about the political developments.

March 9, 2013

Austria: Opposition Puts Forward Constitutional Challenge

Fiscal Pact undermines sovereignty of parliament and forces the country to severe austerity measures.

March 9, 2013

Austria: Hypo Gets Additional € 700m From State

The EU threatens to close down Hypo Group because of the overdue restructuring measures.

March 9, 2013

Montenegro: Knocking on Brussels’ Door

In an interview with the Austrian newspaper Presse, state secretary for European integratition and Montenegro’s chief negotiator Aleksandar Pejovic informs when his country is ready to join the EU.

March 9, 2013

Austria: Increase Of Foreign Trade

Even with the economy crisis, the percentage of foreign business expands.

March 8, 2013

Recession in Euro-Area Still Affects CESEE Countries

According to the Vienna Institute For International Economic Studies (wiiw), the double-dip recession over, yet there is no economic growht in sight for CESEE countries.

March 7, 2013

Bulgaria/Romania: Schengen-Entry Postponed

The two countries will not become part of the Schengen-zone in 2013. EU interior ministers meet to discuss problem of “social tourism”.

March 7, 2013

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