Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

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

Austrian Development Funds: Programme Approved

“ADA has over 110 million euros funding for operative development cooperation work in 2013” the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.

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

Last Meeting between Klaus and Gasparovic

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

March 5, 2013

Hungary: GKI Forecasts Budget Deficit of HUF 200 bn

The Hungarian government is in complete opposite to GKI’s statement: forecasts economic growth of 1 % and does not see any concerns.

March 5, 2013

Poland: Government Retains Economic Forecast

Despite the economic slowdown, Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski demonstrates optimism.

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

Czech Republic Eases Austerity Policy

In order to boost economic growth, the Czech government tends to refrain from the strict austerity course.

March 5, 2013

Bulgaria: Protests About to Escalate

The political frustration of Bulgaria’s population comes to new high as the promised reduction of energy prices stays out.

March 5, 2013

Latvia: Letter Requesting the Convergence Report is Signed

The Baltic country wants to become a member of the Eurozone by 2014.

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

Mixed Outlook for Russia

This year, Russia´s GDP will grow by 3.3%, the World Bank predicts. Regarding economic reforms, Russia must improve its effort, though.

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

Romania/Bulgaria: Germany Plans Veto against Schengen Entry

According to the journal “Spiegel”, the German government does not regard the two countries as Schengen-worthy.

March 4, 2013

Belka and Rostowski “Time to Move Up a Gear”

Governor of NBP (National Bank of Poland) Marek Belka and Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski want to accelerate Poland´s approach to the Eurozone.

March 4, 2013

Bulgaria: Budget Balance Negative

The budget balance under the Consolidated Fiscal Programme (CFP) as of end-January 2013 is negative, amounting to BGN 536.5 million.

March 4, 2013

“I do not expect for crediting requirements to tighten”

There is no reason for crediting requirements to be tightened, Zoran Stavreski, Macedonia´s Minister of Finance says.

March 4, 2013

Turkey: Erdogan Arouses Harsh Criticism by Equaling Fascism and Zionism

At the UN conference in Vienna Turkeys Prime Minister obtained harsh criticism for his speech. The UN distanced itself from the statements.

March 2, 2013

Austria: Government Adheres to Zero Deficit in 2016

Although the economic development is behind the expectations, the government wants to achieve a budget surplus in 2017.

March 2, 2013

Romania: Corlatean Questions Admittance to Schengen-Agreement

Exterior minister Corlatean shows no more interest in Romania’s joining the Schengen-zone. Several member states disapprove of this idea.

March 2, 2013

Romania As Risk Factor for Austria´s Public Finance

The partly nationalized Austrian banking group VBAG faces difficulties in Romania. The Austrian Ministry of Finance tries to prevent further capital injections into VBAG.

March 2, 2013

Does the Hungarian Telecommunication Sector Face Nationalizations?

According to rumors, Hungary´s government plans to nationalize the Hungarian subsidiary of the telecommunication operator Vodafone.

March 2, 2013

Lithuanian Banking Sector: Lending Up, Profitability Down

Over the past year, the assets of banks operating in the country and branches of foreign banks decreased.

March 2, 2013

Austria: Public Spending Ratio Forces Country to Reforms

Austria’s economy is stronger than the European average, however, it is still in need of reforms. Suggestions are made by head of WIFO Aiginger who demands a new strategy until 2025.

March 2, 2013

Poland: Fiscal Treaty Ratified

Poland´s President Bronislaw Komorowski has signed the EU Fiscal Pact this week.

March 1, 2013

Hungary: Matolcsy Becomes New Central Bank Governor

Prime Minister Orbán nominated the former National Economy Minister as the new governor of the MNB (National Bank of Hungary). Experts are concerned about the stability of the Forinth.

March 1, 2013

Serbia: Prime Minister Dacic Demands Separation of Kosovo

European Union and USA reject any change of boundery on the Balkan.

March 1, 2013

Bulgaria „Protests are Useless“

In an interview with the Austrian daily newspaper „Standard“, Bulgarian author Ilija Trojanov explains why the situation in Bulgaria is rather hopeless.

March 1, 2013

“Business development focus in solid Austrian ties to Qatar”

Austrian State Secretary meets the Emir of Qatar and Qatar’s Foreign Affairs State Secretary for working discussions.

March 1, 2013

UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Vienna

The UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum draws a close with the Vienna Declaration. The forum was attended by Heads of State and Global Foreign Ministers.

March 1, 2013

Austria: Record High in People Unemployed

At the end of February, 404,006 persons were seeking for a job. Compared to January this means an increase of 5.3 % or further 16,337 people jobless.

March 1, 2013

Bulgaria: Stop of Constructing Nuclear Power Plant in Belene

Together with Russia, Bulgaria stopped the controversial construction of a nuclear power plant in Belene close to the Danube.

March 1, 2013

Bulgaria: Economy to Stabilize

Despite the enormous political instability, Bulgaria is expected to record positive growth rates this year.

February 28, 2013

Bulgaria: Protestors Want Radical Reforms

The atmosphere in the poorest EU country remains tense. The citizens want a new constitution.

February 28, 2013

Austrian Budget: Pensions as Risk Factor

Until 2017, the additional burden has a size of € 1.0bn, Austrian Minister of Finance Maria Fekter says in an interview with “Presse”.

February 28, 2013

Hungary Enlarges Railway Network

State Secretary on Foreign Relations Peter Szijjarto announced that MAV (Hungarian Railways) starts its biggest investment program since WWII.

February 28, 2013

Fekter Pleased with New Banking Regulations

Austrian Minister of Finance: "Agreement stabilizes banking sector, protects taxpayers and strengthens Austrian SMEs".

February 28, 2013

Slovenia: Bratusek New Head of Government

Today, Slovenia´s Lower House of Parliament has elected a new Prime Minister. Janez Jansa continues to manage the government business.

February 27, 2013

Slovakia: Economic Growth Almost Coming to Still-Stand

Growth estimates are lower than predicted by NBS. Export sales lag behind and the domestic economy is in a recession. Opposing parties blame the new labor regulations.

February 27, 2013

Slovenia: Jansa Remains Prime Minister

Today, Slovenia´s Parliament will elect a new official head of government. However, Jansa will continue the government business.

February 27, 2013

Euro Adoption: Poland Has No Fixed Date Yet

For the time being, Poland wants to meet the Maastricht Criteria. The date for entering the Eurozone will be fixed in 2015.

February 27, 2013

Slovakia: Unemployment Rate Reaches All-time High

Prime Minister Fico blames stagnating economy for highest unemployment rate since 2004.

February 27, 2013

Slovakia Transforms Banks into Branches

The draft amendment to the Banking Act will not affect competition, the National Bank of Slovakia said.

February 27, 2013

Ukraine and EU Signed Memorandum of Understanding and Loan Agreement

Memorandum for the stability of Ukraine’s finance and economy was signed on the EU-Ukraine Summit.

February 27, 2013

Hungary Cuts Interest Rate

Due to the economic crisis, Hungary´s National Bank (MNB) has lowered the interest rate from 5.50% to 5.25%.

February 26, 2013

Austria Stresses Importance of Human Rights Conference

Austrian Foreign Ministry: "Carry on from the outcome of the World Conference on Human Rights 1993".

February 26, 2013

Poland: Economy Seems to Recover Again

Marek Belka, head of NBP, assumes that the worst part for Poland’s economy might be over.

February 26, 2013

CEZ: Czech Republic Calls Brussels for Help

After the Czech energy group CEZ has lost its license in Bulgaria, the Czech government wants Brussels to put pressure on Sofia.

February 25, 2013

Austria: Economic Outlook Remains Cautious

Although Austria´s economy suffers from a number of major defects, the performance is still better than in the Eurozone.

February 25, 2013