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Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic
Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian politics with reference to the international interest


Bulgaria to Encourage Chinese Investments

Investments from China in Bulgaria currently come at € 85m, reports SME Times.
October 18, 2013


IMF Warns of Financial Instability in CESEE

Due to the high non-performing loan quota and the deleveraging of Western banks, the countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are still far from financial stability.
October 18, 2013


„Czech Republic Does Not Fully Use Its Potential“

Czech Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok thinks that the performance of the Czech economy is not dramatically bad. However, the Czech Republic must use its opportunities more effectively.
October 17, 2013


Mitterlehner: “2014 Will Become Significantly Better“

Austrian Minister for Economy Reinhold Mitterlehner considers the Austrian economy to be in a spirit of optimism as an upturn in Europe has become evident. According to him, 2014 is supposed to become “significantly better” than 2013.
October 17, 2013


Serbia: EU Candidacy to Accelerate Reforms

On the occasion of a meeting with head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Serbia´s Prime Minister Ivica Dacic expressed his willingness to deepen the reform process.
October 17, 2013


Slovenia Introduces Property Tax

In order to reduce the massive fiscal shortfall, Slovenia is looking for new revenues. The property tax may bring more than € 400m.
October 17, 2013


EU Enlargement: Commission Recommends to Take Up Albania and Macedonia

In a set of annual reports adopted, the European Commission recommends granting EU candidate status to Albania and for the fifth time in a row, the opening of accession negotiations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
October 17, 2013


Austria: RBI Expects Stabilization

Business in CEE seems to be in an up again. RBI is preparing for an IPO at the Warsaw stock exchange.
October 17, 2013


Poland: Inflation Remains Stable

Inflation net of food and energy prices amounted to 1.3% y/y, representing a 0.1 pp decrease on the figure recorded in the two previous months.
October 17, 2013


Austria: Voestalpine Expects Same Results as 2012

CEO Wolfgang Eder expects the same level in profits as last year.
October 17, 2013


Romania: Privatization of Railroad Company Flopped

The privatization of Romanian freight railroad company CFR Marfa failed. The sale of shares is part of the conditions with IMF, the World Bank and the European Union.
October 17, 2013


CESEE Region Suffers from Migration

The countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe are confronted with a highly unfavorable demographic trend. The brain-drain is expected to persist.
October 17, 2013


Austria: New Fiscal Difficulties

Austria´s state budget 2014 is not resolved yet. Moreover, a number of assumptions are highly uncertain.
October 17, 2013


Eurozone: Banking Union Approved

From autumn 2014 on, the European Central Bank (ECB) will directly supervise 130 major banks within the Eurozone.
October 16, 2013


Poland to Improve Railway Infrastructure

According to CIR, the Polish government’s press center, the government plans on spending PLN 979m on railway infrastructure in 2014 and a further amount of PLN 692m in 2015.
October 16, 2013


Austria: Alpine Bankruptcy Caused Further Enterprises to Go Bust

Alpine’s bankruptcy has caused thirteen enterprises to slip into insolvency so far. Half of the companies are currently fighting for continuation, according to credit protection agency KSV 1870.
October 16, 2013


Austria: Decisions about Hypo Group Expected This Year

Decisions about the future of problem bank Hypo Alpe Adria will in all likelihood be delayed.
October 16, 2013


Bulgaria Supports Trans Adriatic Pipeline

During yesterday’s world media meeting, on behalf of his country Bulgarian President Rosen Plevniev expressed his support of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline project (TAP).
October 16, 2013


Ukrainian Gas Pipeline Key Issue for EU Commission

A gas pipeline plan in the Ukraine is among the EU Commission’s key infrastructure projects.
October 16, 2013


Austrians Opposed to EU Enlargement

According to a survey, the majority of Austrians are opposed to an EU Accession of Turkey and Western Balkan States.
October 16, 2013


Poland to Keep VAT Rates The Same Until 2015

In order to cut debts, the Polish government decided not to lower the level of VAT.
October 15, 2013


Poland: 70 Percent against Introduction of Euro

According to a recent survey carried out by Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS) as many as 70 percent reject the idea of introducing the Euro to Poland.
October 15, 2013


Solution to Croatian/Hungarian Mol Issue Expected Soon

The Croatian justice has issued an international arrest warrant for the head of Hungarian oil company Mol.
October 15, 2013


Bulgaria: Number of „Working Poors“ Grows Considerably

Bulgaria´s average wage only comes at € 269 per month. 600,000 Bulgarian earn less than € 180 per month.
October 15, 2013


Experts Urge Serbia to Accelerate Austerity Measures

It is still questionable whether the austerity measures announced by the Serbian government are sufficient.
October 15, 2013


Russian and Ukrainian Oligarchs Interested in RBI’s Affiliate

The Ukrainian affiliate of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), Bank Aval, has become the object of desire for Russian billionaire Fridman and Ukrainian banker Lagun.
October 15, 2013


Polish Airline LOT Staves off State Aid

Because of the effective restructuring measures, the airline carrier has fended off the need for a capital injection by the Polish state, accordint to Deputy Treasury Minister Rafal Baniak.
October 15, 2013


Calculated Optimism in Slovenia

Slovenia´s Ministry of Economics expects a return to growth in the course of next year. According ot economists, this forecast is leading to doubt.
October 15, 2013


IMF: Hungary´s Fiscal Situation Deteriorates

According to the IMF, Hungary´s public debt quota will increase. This stands in opposition to the optimistic forecasts of the government.
October 15, 2013


„CESEE Is Not the Devil Anymore“

Regarding the development of the CESEE equity market, Birgit Kuras, CEO of Vienna Stock Exchange (VSE) demonstrates optimism.
October 14, 2013


RBI May Pay Back State Aid Sooner

For Austrian Raiffeisen Bank International, the state aid becomes more and more expensive. The repayment will take place before 2017, insiders report.
October 14, 2013


EU Commission Favors New Nabucco Project

After OMV’s pipeline project Nabucco failed, the EU Commission takes into consideration a stripped-down version along the Danube.
October 14, 2013


Croatia: Hypo Group Losing Last Industrial Participation

Croatian chemical company Dioki is facing bankruptcy which is why Hypo Group is losing one of the last industrial participations in the country.
October 14, 2013


Austrian Industrial Sector Well Positioned in International Competition

In 2012, the Austrian industrial sector was well positioned in the international competition, according to a study by the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (Wifo).
October 14, 2013


Ukraine’s EU Accession: Commission Still Positive

Stefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy underlined once more Ukraine’s significant progress leading the country close to the European Union.
October 14, 2013


Serbia’s Participation in South Stream Not at Risk

According to Petar Skundic, Serbian energy advisor to the Prime Minister, the gas pipeline project is not imperiled by the government’s austerity measures.
October 14, 2013


Croatia: Not Plans of Privatizing State-Owned Companies

Croatian government denies it planned to privatize 28 large state-owned companies.
October 14, 2013


FX Loans: ECB Warns Hungary

ECB´s governor Mario Draghi warns Hungary. The conversion of foreign currency loans may sharpen the credit crunch.
October 14, 2013


Romania Keeps Majority Stake in Romgaz

Romania´s government will privatize 15% of the country´s biggest natural gas producer. The opening of the economy to foreign investors bears potential dangers.
October 12, 2013


Slovenia Does Not Fully Draw EU Funds

As the Slovenian projects will not be finished in time, the financially stricken country will fail drawing all funds.
October 12, 2013


Hungary: Borrowing Costs Decline

Yields on Hungarian sovereign bonds reached an all-time low. However, a rebound in 2014 is rather probable.
October 12, 2013


Federation of Austrian Industries Urges for Reforms

IV (Federation of Austrian Industries) has high hopes. The next Austrian government has to implement a number of reforms, IV´s President Georg Kapsch says.
October 12, 2013


Romania: “Aggressive Rate Cuts Likely”

In view of the accelerating disinflation in Romania, Vienna-listed RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) expects the monetary policy to be eased further.
October 12, 2013


IMF: „Banks and Companies in a Vicious Circle“

Not only Greece, Spain or Portugal are struggling with a financially stricken banking sector. In Southeastern Europe, the situation is quite similar.
October 11, 2013


Serbia: FX Reserves Shrink

NBS FX reserves amounted to EUR 10,444.5 million at end-September, covering M1 by 333 percent and more than seven months of imports of goods and services. Inflation remains stable.
October 11, 2013


Austria: Venture Capital Market is Underdeveloped

According to the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO), more funds for start-up enterprises would help boosting the economy.
October 11, 2013


Croatia: Inflation Moderate

At the session the CNB Council examined recent economic and monetary indicators, as well as expected further developments.
October 10, 2013


Trade in Austria Has Increased Since Opening of CESEE Market

Today the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (Wifo) published the “Analysis of the Austrian Balance of Trade“ on behalf of the Economic Ministry.
October 10, 2013


IMF: Serbia´s Reforms are Not Sufficient

On the occasion of a visit in Serbia, the IMF commented the efforts of the Serbian government to cut the budget gap. The austerity cuts are right, but the country needs further reforms, IMF´s team said.
October 10, 2013


Polish Government to be Rearranged

On Wednesday Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk announced that there will be personnel changes in November within the government which will be presented in November.
October 10, 2013