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

Fekter: "Our measures are having an effect"

Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter pleased regarding preliminary administrative budget deficit.

February 1, 2013

Erdogan Considers Joining „Shanghai Five“

Turkey´s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan increases the pressure on the EU. He considers a political re-orientation towards the east.

February 1, 2013

Austria: Budget Deficit Lower than Anticipated

The Austrian federal government's administrative deficit during 2012 was approx. € 7bn. Relative to the budgeted figure of approx. € 11.1bn, this represents a savings of approx. € 4.2bn.

February 1, 2013

Slovakia and Austria to Put more Effort in Coordination for EU Issues

20 years of diplomatic relations between Austria and Slovakia.

February 1, 2013

Czech Republic: Disputes Over Fiscal Pact

In the Czech Republic, the ruling coalition parties do not have a common point of view.

January 31, 2013

Poland to Fulfill Convergence Criteria Gradually

Governor of NBP (National Bank of Poland) Marek Belka argues that the country will not meet all the Maastricht Criteria simultaneously.

January 31, 2013

Poland: Opposition Criticizes Government´s Economic Policy Sharply

Opposition leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski says that the government does not fight against the economic slowdown.

January 31, 2013

ECB Extends Co-Operation with National Bank of Serbia

Today, the European Central Bank (ECB) decided to extend the two-year central bank cooperation programme with the National Bank of Serbia (NBS).

January 31, 2013

Nowotny Underlines Improving Outlook

Ewald Nowotny, governor of Austrian National Bank (OeNB) stresses that not many countries were upgraded by the rating agencies in the last years.

January 30, 2013 · Updated: January 30, 2013; 18:34

OeNB: Austrian Banks Remain Cautious

According to Austrian National Bank, the Austrian banking industry tends to keep the strict lending policy in the corporate banking sector.

January 30, 2013

Slovenia: Corporate Lending Falls Considerably

Due to the difficulties in the Slovenian banking sector, the real economy suffers from a credit crunch.

January 30, 2013

„Whatever Happens to the Euro, Happens to Our Currency“

In an interview with the Austrian daily newspaper “Kurier”, Latvia´s Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis explains why Latvia joins the Eurozone. However, the Latvians are not convinced at all.

January 30, 2013

“Operations of Austrian Banks in CESEE Region Are a Success Story“

Regarding the Austrian banking sector, governor of OeNB (Austrian Central Bank) Ewald Nowotny demonstrates cautious optimism.

January 30, 2013

National Bank of Serbia Fights Against Inflation

The asset quality in the banking sector shows first signs of stabilization, Raiffeisen Research reports.

January 30, 2013

Hungarian National Bank Cuts Interest Rate Again

At its meeting on 29 January 2013, the Monetary Council reviewed the latest economic and financial developments and voted to reduce the central bank base rate by 25 basis points from 5.75% to 5.50%, with effect from 30 January 2013.

January 30, 2013

Serbian Budget Deficit Lower than Expected

The government succeeded to achieve the 2012 budget deficit reading below the planned one, Raiffeisen Research reports.

January 30, 2013

Austria: Tax Convention Signed with Liechtenstein

Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter: “A good day for Austria – through fair taxation”.

January 29, 2013

S&P Upgrades Austrian Sovereign Bonds

Finance Minister Maria Fekter on Standard and Poor's upgrade: "We are on the right path and our measures are showing results".

January 29, 2013

„Our Future is Central and Eastern Europe“

Andreas Treichl, CEO of Austrian Erste Group, stresses the importance of the CESEE region and the necessity to become more efficient.

January 29, 2013

IMF Criticizes Hungarian Government

According to IMF, the economic outlook for Hungary is rather gloomy.

January 28, 2013

Rostowski: Poland´s Economy to Recover in Second Half of 2013

Poland´s Minister of Finance expects that the economic slowdown will continue for the time being.

January 28, 2013

Czech Government Rejects New Elections

After Milos Zeman was elected as new President of the Czech Republic, he called for new elections. A change of government would be rather likely.

January 28, 2013

NBU Expects Lower Inflation

The inflation expectations of the heads of Ukrainian enterprises have been low for the third quarter in a row.

January 28, 2013

“Using the location Vienna as a bridge between the EU and Latin America”

Austrian State Secretary calls for cooperation in security issues and sustainable energy at the international organisations headquarters in Vienna.

January 28, 2013

54.9%: Zeman Wins

Milos Zeman will become the next President of the Czech Republic. His rival Karel Schwarzenberg has already recognized his defeat.

January 26, 2013

Austria: Kommunalkredit May Become Even More Expensive

According to experts, the bail-out of the Austrian fully nationalized bank is not managed yet. Austrian taxpayers must expect further capital injections.

January 26, 2013 · Updated: January 26, 2013; 20:24

Erdogan to Visit Hungary

Turkey´s Prime Minister will come to Hungary in February.

January 26, 2013

Czech Republic: Zeman Ahead

Today, the run-off election in the Czech Republic has ended. According to first results, the socialist Zeman ranks first.

January 26, 2013

Lithuania to Join Eurozone in 2015

According to Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, the country will introduce the euro in the medium term.

January 26, 2013

Fekter: “Tax Agreement Reached with Liechtenstein”

Austrian Minister of Finance Maria Fekter: "Another big step in the direction of greater tax equity".

January 26, 2013

"Economic boom in Peru opens up opportunities for closer cooperation"

Great interest in Austrian tourism and urban development expertise.

January 25, 2013

EU Wants Austria to Give Up Bank Secret

Commissioner Algirdas Semeta threatens with a complaint against Austria. According tom him, Austria and Luxembourg are blocking the automatic information exchange.

January 25, 2013

Slovenia: Jansa Rejects to Step Down

Despite the deep political and economic crisis, Slovenia´s Prime Minister Janez Jansa is clinging to power.

January 25, 2013

Poland Sells Shares in PKO

The share in the banking group decreases to 31.9%. Further privatizations are planned.

January 24, 2013

Tax Deal with Liechtenstein: Austria Expects Substantial Tax Intake

Austria and its small neighbor country Liechtenstein will sign a tax deal. The treaty between Switzerland and Austria is a role model.

January 24, 2013

Treichl: „BCR Will be Positive this Year“

Erste Group´s CEO Andreas Treichl thinks that the Romanian subsidiary Banca Commerciala Romania will not record losses in 2013.

January 24, 2013 · Updated: January 24, 2013; 21:58

Slovakia: Public Debt Quota Exceeds 50% of GDP

For the first time since 2000, Slovakia´s public debt level exceeds the 50% threshold.

January 24, 2013

Slovenia: Government Collapses

Yesterday in the evening, the conservative coalition member CL has terminated the co-operation with Prime Minister Janez Jansa´s party SDS. Not only the political situation in Slovenia is precarious, but also the economic outlook is highly uncertain.

January 24, 2013

Romania Needs More Time for IMF-Requirements

The financially stricken country did not implement the planned privatizations. EBRD criticized Romania´s slow progress.

January 23, 2013

Slovenia: Protests Against Austerity Cuts

Due to a general strike, Slovenia comes to a standstill. More than 100,000 public servants protest against social cuts.

January 23, 2013

Spindelegger Criticizes Cameron

Austria´s Foreign Minister: "Not cherry picking but more Europe is the key".

January 23, 2013

Komorowski: Poland Should Join Eurozone in 2015

Poland´s President Bronislaw Komorowski said that the country should decide whether to introduce the euro in 2015.

January 23, 2013

Erste Group´s CEO Wants to Create CESEE Stock Exchange

Andreas Treichl, CEO of the Austrian banking group, would like to create an alliance between CEE Stock Exchange Group (CEESEG) and Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE).

January 23, 2013

Fitch: Austria´s Public Debt to Double

Due to the demographic trends, Austria faces a pension shock, Fitch says.

January 23, 2013

Czech Republic: Controversy About Benes Decrees

The second round of the Czech presidential elections is heating up. The candidate Karel Schwarzenberg was criticized harshly.

January 23, 2013

Croatia: Austerity Policy Faces Difficulties

Croatia´s Minister of Finance Slavko Linic thinks that the austerity policy cannot be continued.

January 22, 2013

Slovakia Continues Austerity Measures

Slovak Minister of Economics Tomas Malatinsky underlines that the country must improve its attractiveness for businesses.

January 22, 2013

Austria´s Minister of Finance Pleased With Approval for Financial Transaction Tax

Participating States to present specific model soon, Maria Fekter says.

January 22, 2013

Europe of Tomorrow: The New Way of Thinking

Distinguished participants from industry, politics and the business community such as Václav Klaus, Jerzy Buzek, Franz Fischler, Martin Meyer, Jan Zielonka, Iain Begg, Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein are currently dicussing this issue in Vienna.

January 22, 2013

“Costs of non-enlargement of the EU would be high”

Austrian Foreign Ministry wants discussion about more involvement of EU citizens in EU policy.

January 22, 2013