Austria - European Union Political News

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

Austria: Capital Increase for Hypo Group Decided

The Austrian problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria will receive € 750m in fresh capital.

April 4, 2014

Austria: Dispute about Bank Tax Culminates

The establishing of a new fund for the banking union will become a financial burden for banking institutes.

April 3, 2014

Serbia: New Government to Hold EU Accession Talks Regularly

The next government of Serbia will hold sessions with regard to the EU accesssion on a regular basis, as announced by Miscevic, chief EU negotiator of Serbia.

April 3, 2014

Czech Republic: Euro Support Still Weak

Almost a quarter of Czech citizens support the idea of joining the single European currency union.

April 2, 2014

Austria: Economic Recovery Remains Modest

Political clouds over economic recovery.

April 1, 2014

Ten Years After The 2004 EU Enlargement: Achievements and Next Steps

International Conference, Vienna, 24-25 April 2014

March 31, 2014

Leitl: “Growth Must Not Mean Less Reforms”

Economic growth is now weaker than in the previous phases of upturn.

March 28, 2014

Serbia: Little Faith in Judiciary

The majority of the Serbian population does not trust state institutions, particularly the judiciary.

March 27, 2014

Poland to Fulfill EU Commission’s Regulations

According to Polish Finance Minister Mateusz Szczurek, Poland will have no difficulties fullfilling the standards set by the European Commission with regard to the budget deficit.

March 27, 2014

Raiffeisen Group: Uncertain Future

On Thursday Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) will present the annual figures of 2013.

March 26, 2014

Poland: Good Starting Point for Economic Growth

Economic growth for 2014 is expected to accelerate to 3.1 percent to 3.2 percent in the first quarter while for the full year it is anticipated to come at 3.5 percent, according to Polish Economy Minister Janusz Piechocinski.

March 26, 2014

Poland: Promising Years Ahead

Poland observes the crisis in Ukraine with great concern, but does not forget to upgrade national resources.

March 25, 2014

Serbia: President Announced “Pro-Serbian Government”

Tomislav Nikolic, Serbian President, announded the future government to be pro-Serbian.

March 24, 2014

Slovenia Looking for New Investors

In an attempt is looking for new investors the small Eurozone member country is starting a series of roadshows in Europe starting from Monday.

March 24, 2014

Serbia Wants to Keep Balance Between Russia and EU

Serbia´s Prime Minister Ivica Dacic does not want to stab Russia in the back. At the same time, Dacic keeps an eye on Brussels.

March 24, 2014

Final Time-Out for Austrian Bank Secret

During the EU Summit the final time-out for the Austrian bank secret for foreigners was decided. Both Austria and Luxembourg agreed to give up their banking secrets.

March 21, 2014

Slovenia: Exuberant Public Spendings

Public finances in Slovenia have gone wild as only after two months almost half of the total deficit planned for 2014 was spent.

March 20, 2014

Wifo Warns European Council of Economic-Policy Standstill

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research sharply criticizes the current economic policy of the European Union and calls for a change of course to reach the self-defined targets.

March 19, 2014

Poland: Key Rates to Remain Unchanged until 2015

In an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek magazine, Marek Belka, Governor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), announced that interest rates will remain unchanced until the end of this year.

March 18, 2014

Hungary: Jurisdiction Affects FX Loans and Banks

Hungary’s constitutional court will exert influence on FX loans.

March 18, 2014

Austria: Carinthia Forced to Pay for Hypo Group

Finance Minister Michael Spindelegger announced wanting to include the federal province of Carinthia to participate in the downsizing costs for ailing bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria. Austerity measures are “inevitable”.

March 17, 2014

Belka: Poland Should Not Haste into Eurozone

Marek Belka, Governor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), said that the country did not have to haste to become a member of the European single currency union.

March 17, 2014

CEE: Investments to Boost Economic Growth

In the coming two years economic growth in Eastern Europe is expected to accelerate to an average of two to three percent of GDP triggered by a boost in investments.

March 13, 2014

Serbia to Continue Path towards EU

Even after the elections the new government intends to continue the path towards an EU membership.

March 13, 2014

Austria: Banking Secret for Foreigners to be Abolished Forever

From 2017 on, the banking secret for non-Austrian residents will be abolished completely.

March 11, 2014

Wifo: Economic Recovery Lacks in Momentum

Economic growth in the Eurozone is still without a major drive. In Austria too, economic recovery is still restrained.

March 11, 2014

Austria: Hypo Group Disaster with Exorbitant Costs

The extent of the disaster of Austrian problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria only starts to unfold bit by bit. A further capital injection of € 750m is needed only for the ailing bank to complete its balance sheets.

March 11, 2014

EUSD: Austria “Ready to Agree“

Despite earlier statements to the contrary, Austria could now agree to the extension of the European Saving’s Directive (EUSD) during tomorrow’s ECOFIN meeting in Brussels.

March 10, 2014

Austrian Bank Secret Remains Until 2017

Austrian Finance Minister Spindelegger will present proposals for amendments of the EUSD tomorrow.

March 10, 2014

Slovenia: Government Envisages Reform Measures

After the EU Commission delivered a warning to Slovenia over the macroeconomic imbalances Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek announced yesterday she had expected such a report.

March 7, 2014

Slovenia: Commissioner Calls for Reforms and Further Privatizations

EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs Olli Rehn said that Slovenia had to continue to push forward with further privatizations and economic reforms.

March 6, 2014

Czech Republic: Economic Growth Speeding up

In the last quarter in 2013 the Czech economy grew faster than anticipated and even outdid all other EU member countries.

March 6, 2014

Serbia: Economic Changes Urgently Needed

Economic Forum highlights need for reforms.

March 5, 2014

S&P: European Banking Sector Faces Worse Ratings

According to the rating agency, the public support for the European banking sector is essential in many cases. Without financial support, banks might be downgraded.

March 5, 2014

Serbia: Dacic Unsure of Future Government

Outgoing Prime Minister and leader of the Serbian Social Party (SPS) Ivica Dacic is unsure about how the new government will be formed.

March 4, 2014

Austria Losing in Innovation Ranking

The EU member countries are catching up with the US and Japan in regard to innovation. However, Austria is not among the top players.

March 4, 2014

“Serbia Has to Become Economically and Politically Stable”

Prime Minister Dacic promised to continue to follow the path to an EU membership. Former Austrian Chancellor Gusenbauer underlines Serbia’s importance among Western Balkan states.

March 3, 2014

„EU Did Not Care About Ukraine“

Herbert Stepic, former CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International, criticizes the EU fiercely.

March 1, 2014

Austria: Bank Accounts of Ukrainians to be Frozen

At the instigation of the new Ukrainian government Austria will freeze the bank accounts of 18 Ukrainians at domestic banks until further notice.

February 28, 2014

Poland: Fastest Growing Economy in EU

According to the EU Commission, Poland will see the fastest growth in 2014 among the largest former communist countries of the European Union.

February 26, 2014

Leaders from Western Balkans Meeting at EBRD

Prime Ministers from the Western Balkans are gathering to discuss economic cooperations.

February 25, 2014

CNB Not to Stop Monetary Interventions Just Yet

Exchange rates in the Czech Republic will not go back to the state before monetary interventions were carried out by CNB.

February 25, 2014

Austrian Bank Secrecy to be Abolished by 2016

EU Commissioner Algirdas Semeta recently stated that bank secrecy in Austria will expire since by then the automatic exchange of information will be implemented as a standard.

February 24, 2014

Austria: Inflation Drops Again

Inflation in Austria dropped to 1.5 percent in January due to the winter sales.

February 24, 2014

Serbia: Full EU Member by 2020?

Aleksandar Vucic, Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, said on Thursday evening that the country had full political stability and announced that the country’s aim is to become an EU member in 2020.

February 22, 2014

Austria: Wifo Projects Gloomy Economic Outlook

A restrained economic growth, high unemployment rate and measures for the consolidation of the state budget are the factors which affect the economic development on a medium-term.

February 21, 2014

CEE Financial Markets under Pressure as Riots Continue in Ukraine

CEE markets under pressure as Ukraine violence heats up. Biggest direct risk to Polish Zloty, but also to Hungarian Forint and Romanian Leu.

February 21, 2014

“Polish Economy at Crossroads“

In an interview with Austrian daily “WirtschaftsBlatt“, Ryszard Petru, chairman of the Society of Policy Economists, sees high chances for the Polish economy; however, only if the country knows how to support innovation.

February 21, 2014

Bulgarians Pessimistic about Own Future

More than 90 percent of Bulgarian citizens deem the country to be in an economically bad situation.

February 20, 2014

EU Commission to Examine Slovenian Bank Restructuring Plan

Slovenia has sent the restructuring plan for its third largest bank, Abanka Vipa, to the EU Commission.

February 20, 2014