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Read updated news about key politicians in Vienna's international community

Croatia: Major Investments to Boost Economic Growth

The Croatian government on Thursday adopted an investment plan for 2014 which includes large-scale investments, amounting to as much as HRK 73.1 billion.

December 13, 2013

Slovenia Pushes Forward with Privatizations

In spite of the capital shortfall of € 4.78bn of the banks in Slovenia, the bank stress test was passed by the financial institutes.

December 13, 2013

Croatia: Erste Offer Rejected

Austrian Erste Group intended to aquire Croatian HPB. However, the offer was rejected by the Finance Ministry as the purchase price was considered too low.

December 13, 2013

CA Immo Aquires P1 Portfolio in Poland

CA Immo AG acquires shares of joint venture partner AXA in “P1” Portfolio in Warsaw.

December 13, 2013

Austria´s Government: Old Turns into New

The leaders of the old government, Chancellor Werner Faymann and Deputy Chancellor Michael Spindelegger, announced to form a new government.

December 12, 2013

Hungary: Stable Outlook Yet Still Junk Status

In spite of Matolcsy, governor of the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), demanding a better rating for the country’s credibility, the major rating agencies have not raised them.

December 12, 2013

Austria: Hypo Group Insolvency Best Solution for Taxpayers

According to consulting agency Oliver Wyman, an insolvency of ailing bank Hypo Group would be the most favorable option for taxpayers as instead of domestic banks foreign banking institutes will be burdened.

December 12, 2013

Slovenian Banks Exhibit Capital Gap of Almost € 5bn

The capital gap of Slovenian banks comes at a total of 4.78bn, according to the stress test published today.

December 12, 2013

CA Immo to Construct New Office Building in Berlin

Europacity Berlin: Rental and start of construction for new office building in Berlin

December 12, 2013

Austria: Nowotny Reiterates Statement

Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), reiterated his view on Hypo Group.

December 11, 2013

No Major Progresses in Banking Union

Tuesday night the Finance Ministers of the European Union have gradually approached on the outstanding issues in the handling with banks threatened by bankruptcy.

December 11, 2013

Czech Republic: New Government Confirmed

Seven weeks after the national elections, the Czech Social Democrats (CSSD) have agreed to form a coalition with ANO and the Christian Democrats (KDU-CSL).

December 11, 2013

S Immo AG: Disposal Target for 2013 Exceeded

S Immo sold a further five properties.

December 11, 2013

OeNB Calls on Austrian Banks to Strengthen Their Capital Base Further

Presentation of the Financial Stability Report 26 of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB).

December 11, 2013

Hypo Group Alpe Adria to Receive Next Capital Injection

On Friday the ailing bank is expected to receive fresh money again in association with the extraordinary general meeting.

December 11, 2013

Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Liebscher Against Haircut

Klaus Liebscher, chairman of Hypo Group’s supervisory board, is strictly against a debt cut at the nationalized bank. He expects a decision about a bad bank only in the first quarter next year.

December 10, 2013

Serbia: World Bank Attaches Loan to New Laws

The World Bank has attached the loan in the amount of US-$ 250m (€ 183m) for Serbia to the implementation of three important laws within this year still.

December 10, 2013

Leitl: Government Plans “Complete Nonsense“

According to Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, the “great” suggestions planned by his working group are not realized by the government.

December 10, 2013

Slovenia Still Wants to Solve Problems on Its Own

According to head of Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the highly indebted country intends to get a grip on the problems of its banking sector.

December 10, 2013

Former Kazakh Embassador Facing Trial in Austria

Rachat Alijew is facing prosecution in Austria because of alleged money laundering. Moreover, a former Austrian Chancellor is suspected of spying.

December 10, 2013

NKBM´s CEO Demonstrates Optimism

In an interview with the Slovenian STA, Ales Hauc stressed that the second-largest Slovenian lender has a positive future.

December 10, 2013

Bulgaria: Prime Minister Stresses Positive Development

Plamen Oresharski stressed that Bulgaria has performed better than expected in 2013.

December 10, 2013

Serbia: New Budget Turning Point for Economy

Next year’s draft budget is, according to Prime Minister Ivica Dacic the opportunity for a new beginning and a turning point in a responsible approach to running the Serbian economy.

December 9, 2013

EU Demands € 55bn for Banking Union

The Finance Ministers of the European Union are still negotiating about a mechanism aimed at preventing states from having to take over financial difficulties from banks, the banking union.

December 9, 2013

Austria: Tax Increases Contemplated by Government

During the coalition negotiations increases of taxes on tobacco and alcohol is currently considered by the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the People’s Party (ÖVP).

December 9, 2013

Austria: Oppositional FPÖ Wants Return to Shilling

The largest Austrian opposition party wants to leave the Eurozone.

December 7, 2013

Hypo Alleged of Having Hoarded Assets of Former Serbian Regime

A Serbian NGO suspects assets of former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic at Hypo Group Alpe Adria. The Austrian bank strongly rejects this allegation.

December 6, 2013

Austria: Slight Increase in Exports

In spite of a continuing difficult international environment domestic exports increased by 0.7 percent. According to Economy Minister Mitterlehner the Austrian exports are on a record high.

December 6, 2013

Austria: Nowotny Warns of Choking off Economic Growth

The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) has slightly decreased this year’s economic growth from 0.5 percent to 0.4 percent. However, the recession of the past two years is over, the bank claims.

December 6, 2013

Slovenia: Bank Stress Test Results Expected Earlier

According to a source within the European Union, the test results of the asset review of Slovenian banks will be published on December 12.

December 6, 2013

Croatia Ready for Allocation of EU Funds

Croatia has been given access to 1.12 billion euros in all EU programmes.

December 6, 2013

Belka: Recovery Will Be Longer

According to Marek Belka, governor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), the country’s economy sees a continuing and persistent recovery.

December 5, 2013

Poland: BGZ Bank Taken Over by BNP Paribas

Polish BGZ Bank will be taken over by French BNP Paribas for a selling price of around € 1bn.

December 5, 2013

Slovenia: National Bank Rejects Rumors

The Slovenian National Bank has reacted to the increasing number of reports on the possible result of the stress tests at eight Slovenian Banks.

December 5, 2013

Faymann: “No Outstanding Issues That Cannot Be Solved“

In an interview with Austrian daily “Kurier“ Chancellor Werner Faymann rejects the idea of early elections and underlines that there were no unsolvable issues.

December 4, 2013

RZB Faces Severe Restructuring Measures

The Raiffeisen Zentralbank (RZB) is facing severe restructuring and downsizing measures as it has to cut the number of employees.

December 4, 2013

Spindelegger: Reforms Remain “Watchword“

Today Deputy Chancellor Michael Spindelegger has reported to President Heinz Fischer about “difficulties” in the coalition negotiations, as announced by Spindelegger publicly.

December 4, 2013

Austria: Insolvency of Hypo Group Still an Option

Both the center of government and the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) reject Hypo Group’s bankruptcy. However, insolvency options are currently being assessed by the Finance Ministry and the Federal Law Office.

December 4, 2013

UniCredit: Withdrawal from Hungary as Potential Option

UniCredit does not completely rule out a withdrawal from the Hungarian market in case further burdens will be imposed on banking institutes.

December 4, 2013

Bank of Albania Presses for Agreement with IMF

The Albanian economy from short-term adjustment toward long-term sustainable growth. Why Albania needs an agreement with the IMF.

December 4, 2013

Faymann: Austrian State Finances are Stable

Chancellor Werner Faymann rejects the opposition’s claim that Austria is on its path to national bankruptcy.

December 3, 2013

Uniqa on Successful Growth Path in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Provisions increased by 15.2 percent in the first three quarters of the year and generated the second-highest growth rate. Moreover, the market share was extended to 12.2 percent.

December 3, 2013

UniCredit Bank Ukraine and Ukrsotsbank to be Merged

CEE Division completes additional steps in business refocusing.

December 3, 2013

Austria: Government Rules Out Hypo Group’s Insolvency

Chancellor Faymann referred to incalculable economic and political consequential effects due to the liabilities assumed by Hypo Group Alpe Adria.

December 3, 2013

Bratusek: Slovenia Will Manage Bank Rescue

According to Prime Minister Bratusek, Slovenia will manage the bank rescue on its own.

December 3, 2013

Poland: GDP Growth Speeds up

The long-awaited economic recovery starts to accelerate in Poland.

December 2, 2013

Austria: Bawag to Pay back Participation Capital

The Austrian Bawag announced its plans about paying back a further tranche of the state capital participation.

December 2, 2013

Hungary: Matolcsy Demands Resignation of EU Commissioner

György Matolcsy, Governor of the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), demands a better rating for Hungary and the resignation of EU Commissioner Olli Rehn.

December 2, 2013

Bank Austria: Sales Proceeds for Kazakh Affiliate Dropped

Sales proceeds of Bank Austria’s Kazakh affiliate ATF Bank only came at € 294m which is significantly less than announced by the bank in the first half year.

December 2, 2013

Austria: President Presses for Progress in Coalition Negotiations

It has been two months after since the coalition negotiations started after the elections for the National Assembley. However, there has been not visible progress.

December 2, 2013