Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian politics with reference to the international interest

Poland: Hold on Tax to Attract Investors

Hydrocarbons tax on hold till 2020 to enhance investments in shale gas.

May 23, 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

Austria: Special Commission to Trace Tax Evaders

Finance Minister Maria Fekter announced the establishing of a special commission which is supposed to use data distributed by the US tax authority.

May 23, 2013

Tusk Encouraged to Run for European Commission Presidency

Polish Prime Minister Tusk confirmed his encouragement, but will decide at another point in time.

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

Srei Group to Offer € 65.6m for Hypo

The Indian Srei Group offers € 65.5m for Austrian Hypo affiliate.

May 22, 2013

IMF Recommends Czech Government to Reduce Budget Cuts

With worse-than-expected current economic circumstances the IMF recommends the Czech Republic to moderate budget cuts.

May 22, 2013

Leitl: „EU Has To Deliver Clear Confession to Business Location Europe”

According to Leitl, the EU Summit has to deliver a “clear confession to business and industrial location” Europe.

May 22, 2013

Polish Government Passes Job Protection Law

On Tuesday, the Polish government adopted the Labor Minister's document on measures directed to protect employees and businesses during economic downturn, the government press office said.

May 22, 2013

Banking Secret until 2015 in European Union

The banking secret for tax foreigners in the European Union could finally be completely aborted by 2015. There is an ambiguity about Luxembourg’s position in advance to the EU mini-summit over the extended EU Savings Directive (EUSD).

May 22, 2013

Joint Nabucco-Declaration Signed by Governments

Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey adopt Nabucco joint declaration.

May 22, 2013

Slovenia Taking Drastic Measures

NLB plans to cut workforce by 20 percent. The Slovenian government signed an agreement with unions to cut wage costs and is discussing to raise VAT. The country is hoping for € 1bn for the selling of state-owned enterprises.

May 22, 2013

Austria: Three Major Banks Have Made Their „Last Will“

Three Austrian banks have already made their „testament“. Erste Group, Raiffeisen and Bank Austria have presented plans for a possible restructuring. The plans are part of the future bank insolvency law.

May 22, 2013

World Economic Forum on East Asia 2013

Courageous transformation for inclusion and integration. Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, 5-7 June 2013.

May 21, 2013

Orban’s „Derailment“ Causes Indignation in Germany

Hungary’s head of government Viktor Orban seems to love the confrontation. However, with the accusation of Germany using Nazi-methods he overstepped the mark in terms of tact.

May 21, 2013

Croatia: Plans For Croatian Airlines’ Bankruptcy

The Croatian government has started planning in case of its national carrier declaring bankruptcy.

May 21, 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

Austria: Fekter’s Ambition to „Steer Hypo Group Into Safe Waters“

In the margin of the Council of Ministers, Finance Minister Maria Fekter announced that Austria will hand in the new restructuring plan for Hypo Alpe Adria Group to the EU Commission in the coming days.

May 21, 2013

Serbia Considering Loan Agreement With IMF

Serbia is considering discussing a possible IMF loan after EU entry talks are agreed on. German Finance Minister Guido Westerwelle announced his support in Serbia’s path to an EU membership.

May 21, 2013

Slovenia Hoping for Soon Recovery

Crisis-struck Slovenia intends to make more room financially by starting to privatize its state-owned banks. Experts regard the process to be carried out too slowly.

May 21, 2013

Petrom to Invest in Oil Field Redevelopment

OMV Petrom invests € 90m for the Oprisenesti oil field redevelopment.

May 21, 2013

Austria: Preliminary Results on Hypo Group Expected Next Week

Hypo Group’s task force, appointed by the government, will present the preliminary corner marks next week.

May 17, 2013

Croatia: PM Warns Of Croatia Airlines’ Downfall

Prime Minister Milanovic stresses the need to make changes to guarantee a future for the airline company.

May 17, 2013

US and Turkey to Establish High-Level Committee For Trade and Investment

US and Turkey intend to boost bilateral relations and trade, President Obama and Prime Minister Erdogan announced.

May 17, 2013

Poland: Tusk Potential Candidate for EU Commission Presidency

Polish Prime Minister Tusk among candidates for President of European Commission

May 17, 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

Poland Pressed to Cut Rates

IMF urges Poland to further cut rates.

May 17, 2013

Romania: Significant Decline in FDI

Foreign direct investments in Romania declined 41 percent due to ongoing economic difficulties in Eurozone member countries.

May 17, 2013

Hypo to Require € 1bn This Year

The ailing banking institute Hypo Group in the province of Carinthia will need € 1bn. On Friday, the managing board of Hypo Group will present a restructuring plan to the Finance Minister.

May 17, 2013

Over 2,000 Austrian Companies Now Represented in Slovakia

Lopatka: Agreement reached on Austro-Slovak Business Forum

May 16, 2013

Austria: New Bidder for Hypo Group

Apart from Indian Srei Group, a new interested party has entered the match for the ailing banking institute.

May 16, 2013

Turmoil At Croatian Airlines

Employees of the carrier have been on strike for the third day in a row. Numerous flights, including air travels to Austria, had to be cancelled.

May 16, 2013

Austria: Biggest Investor in Serbia

Serbia encourages Austrian enterprises to further invest in Serbian industries.

May 16, 2013

Three Major Energy Companies to Withdraw from Poland

After ExxonMobil two other huge energy enterprises left Poland after unsucessfully drilling for shale gas.

May 16, 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

Voestalpine Hopes for Participation in South Stream Project

CEO Eder announced the Austrian Steel Manufacturer was leading “intensive” talks with Russian energy company Gazprom.

May 16, 2013

Poland: Rescue Loan for LOT Approved

A new law passed on Friday makes it possible to privatize Polish carrier LOT.

May 16, 2013

Austrian Government Desperate to Sell Hypo Group

Without an agreement for a new plan and without more time for the selling of the Eastern affiliates, the crisis-struck banking institute Hypo Alpe Adria Group will not be able to make up the balances anymore, according to Austrian newspaper Presse.

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

UK Believes Strongly Ukraine Should Be Part of EU

Foreign Secretary Hague affirmed the UK’s support and approval of Ukraine’s reform zeal.

May 15, 2013

Poland: Economy Not to Recover Before July

Polish economy is not expected to rebound as soon as the second half of this year and only on the condition that export partners see a growing GDP rate.

May 15, 2013

Bosnia, Serbia and Turkey to Sign Economic and Trade Agreement

Ministers for trade and economy from Ankara, Belgrade and Sarajevo agreed to improve economic relations in an effort to enhance shared trade.

May 15, 2013

Ukraine and Poland Could Be Future Leaders in Shale Gas Production

Management consultant enterprise A. T. Kearney regards Poland and Ukraine as the future European leaders in the productin of shale gas.

May 15, 2013

Austrian Economy Still Stagnating

The Austrian economy has been stagnating for a year and has avoided recession only just.

May 15, 2013

Serbian – Austrian Cooperation in Social Security Sector

Austrian pension and disability insurance system knowhow particularly useful for Serbia.

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

Austria: Labor Restrictions for Croatian Citizens

The Austrian Foreign Ministry announced to use the maximum transitional period of seven years before Croatian citizens can enter the Austrian labor market.

May 15, 2013

Poland: PZU to Acquire Croatia Osiguranje

After years of looking for an opportunity to invest further, PZU, Poland’s major state-owned insurance company, is focusing on aquiring a controlling stake in Croatia Osiguranje.

May 14, 2013

Prolongation of Nabucco Exemption Confirmed

National Regulators Confirm Prolongation of Nabucco Exemption

May 14, 2013