Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

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

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

Cyprus to Receive More Capital

Cyprus requires more money than expected and will receive it. Head of Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, has promised an examination if money laundering exists.

April 12, 2013

Austria: Congress City Vienna - Record Results in 2012

Austria's capital city is not only a favourite destination for tourists but also a hit with the congress and conference sector.

April 12, 2013

1.4 Million Austrians At Risk of Poverty

According to the most recent EU social report, 1.4m Austrians are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Social Minister Hundstorfer regards Austria be on the right path in the fight against poverty.

April 12, 2013

Ukraine: Yanukovych Rejects Pardoning Tymoshenko

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

April 11, 2013

Cyprus: Bail-Out Package More Expensive Than Thought

The aid-money needed increases from € 17.5bn to € 23bn, according to Cyprian government.

April 11, 2013

Bulgaria: Commission Forcasts Economic Imbalances until 2015

EU Commission: Trend of reducing imbalances in Bulgarian economy is confirmed

April 11, 2013

FDI: Hungary Popular With German Enterprises

The majority of German companies would again choose Hungary for their investments

April 11, 2013

Favorable Outlook on Estonia’s Economy

Estonian economy’s consistent growth will continue in the coming years

April 11, 2013

Fekter: „Austria is a High-Tax Country“

Bank secrecy will be an official issue at the meeting of EU finance ministers in Dublin on Saturday. Fekter criticizes the UK sharply.

April 11, 2013

Austria: Great Demand in Two New Federal Bonds

In a double syndicated loan, the Austrian state has taken out € 4.5bn and issued two new federal bonds.

April 11, 2013

Serbia: Vucic „Deeply Disappointed“

Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has given up hope for a new date in June for the beginning of EU accession negotiations. Russian Prime Minister Medvedev expressed support.

April 11, 2013

Croatia to Sell HPB and Croatia Osiguranje

Croatia’s seventh biggest bank and biggest insurance company will soon be privatized. The selling of the stakes is supposed to generate up to € 300m for the state budget.

April 11, 2013

Bad Outlook for Slovenia’s Economy

Slovenia receives bad marks in a report by the EU Commission. Together with Spain, Slovenia’s economy is endagered to collapse in case measures will not be made in the next few weeks.

April 11, 2013

Cyprus to Sell Gold Reserves

The country has to sell reserves in the amount of € 400m. In the meantime, the banking sector has been cut down to one half of its former size.

April 10, 2013

Eurozone: Refinancing Gap of € 1.2 Trillion

Austrian banks are at EU average and show a finance gap of € 30bn.

April 10, 2013

Poland: Protests At Day of Commemoration

Protesters assembled in Warsaw yesterday to demonstrate against the Russian government that still has not released the evidence

April 10, 2013

Austria: Will Holidays on Thursdays be Abolished?

Minister of Infrastructure, Bures and President of IV announced to discuss the matter.

April 10, 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

Estonia and Russia to Enhance Relations

At a meeting on April 5 in St. Petersburg, Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev focused on the chance of reinforcing cooperations.

April 9, 2013

Austria: How to Finance Future Innovations

„Austria’s Future Needs Innovation” was the title of a discussion organized by the Research Council, the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV).

April 9, 2013

Slovakia: Barroso and Fico Examine Effective Use of EU Funds

Barroso pointed out his interest in avoiding losses for Slovakia. Experts are supposed to examine the effective use of funds and Slovakia’s financial engagement.

April 9, 2013

Gazprom to Be Joined By Shell

Russian energy giant Gazprom and British-Dutch oil producer Shell announced cooperation.

April 9, 2013

Austria About to Lose Fiscal Secret

The Austrian government declared to negotiate with the EU about the abanonment of the fiscal secret.

April 9, 2013

Commission Criticizes Austria on Keeping Bank Secret

EU Tax Commissioner Algirdas Semeta considers Austria’s position to hold on to the bank secret and unwilligness to reform as “impossible”.

April 9, 2013

Fekter: “I Will Fight to Preserve Banking Secrecy in Austria!”

“Data protection is a valuable institution. We will continue to protect innocent citizens, but will also continue to lead the way in pursuing tax evaders.”

April 8, 2013

Fitch Downgrades Slovenian Banks to Junk Status

Rating agency Fitch has downgraded the creditworthiness of five Slovenian Banks.

April 8, 2013

Russia to Contribute to Cyprus Aid-Package

President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia will contribute to rescue-package for Cyprus.

April 8, 2013

Austria: Unemployment Rate to Remain High

According to AMS, the public employment service in Austria, the unemployment rate will stay on the high level it shows right now. The labor market situation will only ease in 2016.

April 8, 2013

Slovakia: US Steel to Keep Producing in Kosice

US Steel and the Slovak government have come to an agreement which allows the steel manufacturer to stay in Eastern Slovakia.

April 8, 2013

Concern About Hypo Group in Friuli

MEP Serracchiani has requested to get involved in the current affairs.

April 8, 2013

ILO Warns of Social Unrest in Europe

Because of the continuing high figures in unemployment in great parts of Europe, experts warn of social unrest.

April 8, 2013

Russia: Economic Growth Below Expectations

The Russian economy is flatlining. The government and the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) blame each other for the current state of affairs.

April 8, 2013

Montenegro: President Vujanovic Declared Winner of the Election

Up to now President Filip Vujanovic has declared himself as the winner of the election two hours after the closing of the polling stations.

April 8, 2013

Barroso: „Existantial Crisis is Over“

President of EU Commission Jose Manuel Barroso came to Vienna to meet with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger.

April 6, 2013

Czech President Zeman Wants Slovenia As 5th Visegrad Member

The proposal made by Czech’s president Milos Zeman does not arouse enthousiasm among Slovak citizens.

April 6, 2013

Matolcsy’s Program Evokes Mixed Feelings.

During a press conference on Thursday, April 4, new Govenor of Hungarian National Bank (MNB), György Matolcsy presented some of the “creative financial market instruments”.

April 6, 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

Fekter Defends Austrian Bank Secret

With the reference to the agreement with Switzerland and Lichtenstein, Finance Minister Fekter tries to convince the EU Commission to leave the Austrian bank secret at the current situation.

April 5, 2013

Austria: Fekter Craving for Indulgence in Brussels

Austrian Finance Minister Fekter will be in Brussels on Friday to negotiate about the privatization of the nationalized-by –force Hypo Group.

April 4, 2013

Cyprus Airways Threatened With Bankruptcy

According to Cyprian newspaper Fileleftheros, Cyprus Airways is about to fold.

April 4, 2013

Eder: Future of Voestalpine and Steel Manufacturing Industry

In an interview CEO of voestalpine, Wolfgang Eder explains the current situation on the steel market and points out that mass products will come from CESEE countries in the future.

April 4, 2013

Turkey’s Hopes of a Reunited Cyprus

The financial crisis in Cyprus is, according to Turkish President Abdullah Gül, an important opportunity to overcome the seperation of Cyprus.

April 4, 2013

New opportunities for Lithuanian and Turkish business

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė together with Turkish leader Abdullah Gül opened the Lithuania-Turkey business forum.

April 4, 2013

VIG: Drastic Downsizing Measures in Romania

Because of increasing losses 450 employees will be made redundant.

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

Keuschnigg Forecasts End of Bank Secret in Austria

Head of the Austrian Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS), Christian Keuschnigg expects the end of the bank secret in Austria.

April 3, 2013

Russia: Refinancing Rate Expected to Be Cut

The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) estimates inflation risks higher than a slow economic growth. However, the refinancing rate is expected to be lowered soon.

April 3, 2013

Law Files Against Bulgaria from EVN and CEZ.

Power Suppliers EVN, CEZ and Energo Pro have to face high losses. CEZ announced to file a law against Bulgaria as well.

April 3, 2013