Vienna International Community - Other Top Players - Latest Headlines

Read updated news about other key people in Vienna's international community

Ukraine: Not Enough Progress

According to an evaluating report of the EU, Ukraine does not show enough progress in reforms.

March 20, 2013

Cyprus Appeals for Help to Russia

In a vote on Tuesday the government has decided not to use the private money of Cyprus‘ citizens to help bail out the banks. After the rejection, the EU aid package is now off. Cyprus hopes rest on Russia at this point.

March 20, 2013

Bank Austria To Boost Capital Base

CEO Cernko wants Eastern Europe to play an important role again in the future.

March 19, 2013

EVN to Start Arbitration Procedure

Today, Austrian power supply company EVN informed the state of Bulgaria about opening arbitration proceedings.

March 19, 2013

Cyprus: Small Investors To Be Excluded From Tax

After protests among Cyprus‘ citizens arised and harsh criticism was expressed, the government now intends to exclude small savers from the compulsary tax and grant them a relief.

March 19, 2013

Czech Republic: Opposition Rejects Austerity Measures

Opposition leader Sobotka was re-elected last Friday as chairman of the Social Democrats. In an interview with Reuters he explains why the government needs to slow down on austerity measures.

March 18, 2013

Poland: Tusk Appears Optimistic On 2013 Budget

Prime Minister, Donald Tusk remains hopeful on fulfilling the 2013 budget criteria, despite of a disadvantageous macro economical outlook.

March 18, 2013

Slovakia: Fico’s Plans For The Future

In a speech at the congress of the Czech senior opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) on Saturday, Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico explained his future plans.

March 18, 2013

Hungary: Dissatisfaction Towards Government Grows

Right-wing leader Viktor Orban has been in parliament for almost three years. But the promised reforms and changes to improve the economic situation came to nothing. Protests are arising.

March 18, 2013

Austria: Investigation Against VBAG Board Members

The Austrian Justice is currently investigating a case of the Austrian Volksbanken AG (VBAG) where three former board members are accused of having forged balance sheets. Board director CEO Michael Mendel is not among the suspects.

March 18, 2013

Cyprus: Parliament Votes Tomorrow For Rescue Package

The Cyprian parliament is unlikely to vote in favor for the rescue package which forces bank clients to contribute with their private money.

March 18, 2013

Spindelegger Criticizes Orban Sharply

Austria´s Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger wants Hungary to “return to the European legal basis”.

March 16, 2013

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

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

Meeting of German-speaking Finance Ministers in Berlin

On Wednesday, 13 March 2013, German Finance Minister Dr Wolfgang Schäuble welcomed the German-speaking Finance Ministers of Europe to talks in Berlin. The talks focused on current finance and fiscal policy issues.

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

Hungary: Number of Emigrants to Austria Increases

More and more Hungarians emigrate to Austria due to economic and political reason.

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: Post Shows Solid Revenues

In 2012, Austrian Post generated € 123.2m and was therefore able to slightly increase the turnover. € 1.80 is being declared per share, which is a raise of € 0.10.

March 14, 2013

Slovenia: New Coalition Stands

Slovenia´s new Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek is the head of a four-party-coalition.

March 13, 2013

Pope Francis: Runner-Up Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina is New Pope

The world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics are hailing Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new pope. He shall go by the name of Francis and he is the first pope from the Americas.

March 13, 2013

Bulgaria: Caretaker Government Announced

Three weeks after the stepping down of Bulgaria’s right-of-center government, President Rosen Plevneliev put together an interim government.

March 12, 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

Latvia: Increase for Minimum Wages Turned Down

Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis explained that a raise of minimum wages to LVL 303 (€ 428) is not realizable at the moment.

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

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

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

Bulgaria: „Eagle’s Bridge“-Protests Start Today

Other meetings of protest representatives are taking place in Gabrov today to elect a committee for further negotiations with government.

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

Hungary: Austrian Farmers on the Verge of Dispossession

A new regulation should help Hungarians prevent from "greedy speculators".

March 8, 2013

CZ: President Klaus Leaving Presidential Office

After having been in office for ten years, Czech President Vaclav Klaus left Prague Castle. Today, Friday March 8, his sucessor Milos Zeman is going to be sworn in.

March 8, 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

Austria: Elsner Files Lawsuit in US Supreme Court

Former BAWAG CEO Helmut Elsner filed a lawsuit over $ 1.8bn against members of the Austrian Social Democrat party (SPÖ).

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

Leitl: "Restructuring Instead of Cashing in"

Christoph Leitl, head of WKO (Austrian Chamber of Commerce), dismisses further plans for a tax hike. The outcome would be fatal and the economy exposed to threats.

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

Bulgaria: Electricity Rate to be Reduced by 7 %

Experts still fear that the reduction in electricity prices will not help stopping protests.

March 6, 2013

Verbund AG: New appointments to the Executive Board

Peter Kollmann becomes new CFO of the Austrian energy supplier. CEO Wolfgang Anzengruber was confirmed.

March 5, 2013

Last Meeting between Klaus and Gasparovic

The Presidents of the Czech Republic and of Slovakia will have a last meeting tomorrow.

March 5, 2013

Austria: New CEO for Alpine

The construction company was saved from bankrupcy and is now looking for a new CEO

March 5, 2013

Slovenia: New Government to be Built

Until March 14, the new administration should be nominated. However, 32 % think that the new head of government will not be able to form a government.

March 5, 2013

Bulgaria: Eagles Briges Civic Association To Be Found in Sofia

Protesters are gathering in the Arena Armeets Hall to differentiate their pleas.

March 4, 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

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

Czech Republic: CNB Fights Against Recession

As the interest rate was cut to a technical zero, the Czech National Bank considers intervening against the crown.

March 4, 2013