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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
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