Austrian Economic Legal Issues and Insolvencies

Read the latest headlines about laws, jurisdictions and court decisions in Vienna and Austria with reference to the international interest

Dispute About Tender for Orient Express

The Orient Express once led through Romania. These days, this section is cause for legal disputes in connection with the tender in the amount of € 330m.

June 13, 2013

Turkey: Erdogan Considers Referendum

After international criticism was voiced for the use of tear gas by the Turkish police against tens of thousands of demonstrators, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue of a referendum.

June 13, 2013

Turkey: Taksim Square Forcefully Cleared

Protests expected to continue despite of severe measures.

June 12, 2013

Serracchiani: „Will Do Everything I Can“

In an interview with Austrian newspaper “Kleine Zeitung“ Debora Serracchiani, new regional president of the province Friuli in Italy announced to do everything so that Hypo Group Italy will survive.

June 11, 2013

Hungary: Fifth Amendment of Controversial Constitution Planned

The controversial Hungarian constitution is supposed to be changed for the fifth time since the EU Commission threatened the country with infringement proceedings.

June 10, 2013

Oresharski: Things Were Never So Bad in Bulgaria

One week after assuming office, Bulgaria’s new Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski announced that the social and economic situation in the country has reached an all-time low.

June 5, 2013

Austrian Justice Minister to Support Serbia’s Approach to EU

Austria to enhance transfer of know-how in regard to the fight against corruption.

June 5, 2013

Slovenia: Ex PM Convicted in Patria Case

Former Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa was convicted of bribery on Wednesday in Ljubljana.

June 5, 2013

Latvia: Euro to Be Introduced 2014

Latvia will be able introduce the Euro on January 1 2014. According to diplomats, this is what the EU Commission will recommend on Wednesday in Brussels.

June 4, 2013

Austria: Fekter Signed OECD’s Multilateral Assistence Agreement in Tax Matters

Fekter described the signing as a “further important step in the fight against tax evasion and tax fraud”.

May 29, 2013

Bulgaria: Parliament to Vote On Government

This morning, the Bulgarian parliament has started a session for the voting on the new government.

May 29, 2013

Austrian Top Banker to Appear in „Offshore-Leaks“

For the first time, a European top banker appears in the “Offshore-Leaks” database. CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) Herbert Stepic is coming under massive pressure.

May 23, 2013

Bulgaria to Table Bill of Amendments in Energy Sector

New regulations will be drafted when caretaker government leaves office.

May 23, 2013

“Ukraine's European Choice Is Irrevocable”

The strong pro-European civil movement in Ukraine made the country’s European choice irrevocable, declared the head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine Jan Tombinski

May 21, 2013

Croatia‘s and Hungary‘s Fight About Oil Company Ina

The dispute between core shareholders of Croatian oil producer Ina has started anew.

May 17, 2013

Bulgaria’s Election Winner To Annul Results

GERB party, winner of the early presidential elections in Bulgaria, announced to file a lawsuit before the Constitutional Court.

May 16, 2013

Alpine: Dispute in Poland About to Escalate

A dispute about the construction of a bridge has intensified. The construction company Alpine has withdrawn from the contract for the building of a highway segment in Poland.

May 15, 2013

Austria: EU Competition Authority to Search Agrana

The European competition authority has paid a visit to listed starch and sugar producer Agrana in April.

May 15, 2013

US: Kerry Announced Support of Ukraine’s EU Integration

US Secretary of State John Kerry announced his support for Ukraine’s move towards an EU membership.

May 13, 2013

Pressure from EU on Orban Increases

EU demands that Hungary withdraws the changes to the constitution.

May 8, 2013

RHI: US Proceedings Completed

Chapter 11 proceedings of the US companies deconsolidated in 2001 completed

May 2, 2013

EU Ready to Adopt Measures Over CEZ in Bulgaria

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

April 29, 2013

Voestalpine: Compensations for Deutsche Bahn

Deutsche Bahn (DB) is to receive compensations by Austrian steel manufacturer voestalpine.

April 29, 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

Alpine and Porr to Be Compensated by Serbia

The Austrian construction companies Alpine and Porr claim € 71m from Serbia before the court of arbitration due to a flopped major project for the building of a highway.

April 26, 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

Serbia: Agreements in Kosovo Negotiations

Commissioner Ashton announced that both countries have found an arrangement.

April 19, 2013

Cyprus: Increase of Taxes Resolved

The Cyprian parliament has voted for an increase of taxes. Among other things, business taxes will increase from 10 % to 12.5 %.

April 19, 2013

Heated Debate in EP About Hungary

On Wednesday, the European Parliament has lead a heated debate concerning the controversial amendments to the Hungarian constitution.

April 18, 2013

Austria and Turkey to Deepen Relations

Justice Minister Karl wants to improve cooperations with Turkey.

April 17, 2013

„Unlawful“ Farming in Hungary

The estimated 200 Austrians, who are engaged in agriculture in Hungary, are apparently not highly esteemed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

April 16, 2013

Hungary: Increasing Tensions Between Barroso and Orban

President of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso wrote another letter to Prime Minister Orban warning him of the impacts in case the government will not realize the claimed measures.

April 15, 2013

Austria: Three Convictions at Immofinanz Process

Former head of Immofinanz, Petrikovics, was sentenced to six years in prison. Co-defendants Schwager and Thornton were sentenced as well.

April 12, 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

Ukraine: Yanukovych Rejects Pardoning Tymoshenko

President Yanokovych does not consider a pardoning as long as trials continue.

April 11, 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

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

Austrian SMEs Keep on Struggling in 2013

Persistant insecurity and subdued growth expectations characterize the 1st quarter of 2013. Enterprises regard new energy efficiency policy as additional bureaucratic burden.

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

Serbia: Financial Underhand Practices Discovered

Financial underhand practices had lead to losses of € 700m for the Serbian state.

March 30, 2013

Cyprus: 37.5 % Tax on Assets

The compulsory levy on bank assets exeeding € 100,000 has now been fixed. Assets above the amount will be taxed with 37.5 %.

March 30, 2013

EVN to Get Support by State Secretary

State Secretary Lopatka intervened in EVN’s dispute with Bulgarian government. He urges Bulgaria to ensure protection of investments.

March 29, 2013

Cyprus: Trying to Avoid Chaos at Banks

Today, Cyprus‘ banks are supposed to be opened after almost two weeks of closing. The citizens are called for calm and there are limits for drawing money. The currency rate was downgraded to Caa2 by Moody’s.

March 28, 2013

Commission Praises Croatia’s Progress

Croatia has fullfilled all criteria for the EU accession on July 1, 2013.

March 26, 2013

Dacic to Meet Head of EULEX Mission

International mission in Kosovo to ensure complete protection of all citizens.

March 26, 2013

Meinl Needs to Reimburse Starbet Investors

The Regional High Court (OLG) in Vienna has passed the judgement that Meinl Bank has to compensate sports betting company Starbet

March 23, 2013

Belgrade Considers Conditions Unacceptable

The sudden failure to reach a final conclusion to the Kosovo-issue puts a dampener on Serbia’s way towards the EU.

March 21, 2013

Time Is Running Out Fast for Serbia and Kosovo

It is probably one of the last chances for Serbia and Kosovo to make progresses for EU rapproachment.

March 20, 2013