Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

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

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

Poll: Estonians Want Economy Minister to Resign

56 % of Estonian citizens want the Economy Minister Parts to step down.

April 3, 2013

Romania: Ponta Endorses Regionalization

Regionalization, which is encompassed in the constitutional reforms, is supposed to help improve the administrative situation in Romania.

April 3, 2013

Hungary: Public Deficit Amounted to HUF 166.6bn in Q4/2012

The deficit of the general government sector was HUF 566.7 billion in 2012, 2.0% of GDP according to data reported to the EU on 29 March 2013 under the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP).

April 3, 2013

Austria: Lowest Unemployment Rate

Euro area unemployment rate at 12.0%, EU27 at 10.9%

April 3, 2013

Cyprus: Prone to Recession

Despite of the bail-out package, the country is threatened by a deep recession in the coming two years.

April 3, 2013

Austria: How to Benefit from Positive Labor Market Situation

Increasing number of employees should be reason to initiate economic stimuli and focus on investment incentives, states Leitl.

April 2, 2013

Macedonia: Fresh € 100m for Business Sector from EIB

The Macedonian government plans to provide fresh EUR 100 million loan, with 5.5% interest rate, as support to the business sector.

April 2, 2013

Referendum in Poland about Joining Eurozone

Last week, Prime Minister Donald Tusk offered a vote on a referendum about the adoption of the Euro in Poland. A simple majority needed for a decision could settle the issue.

April 2, 2013

Green’s Fear of Russian Black Money in Austria

Once more, the Austrian Greens insist on a reform of the bank secrecy.

April 2, 2013

Cyprus: Finance Minister Steps Down

According to reports by the media, Finance Minister of Cyprus, Michael Sarris will be replaced.

April 2, 2013

Lithuania and Latvia Preparing for Euro

The Baltic finance ministers emphasize sustainable growth and euro importance.

April 2, 2013

2012: Significant Increase in Austrian Construction Industry

According to the latest data issued by Statistik Austria, the construction industry has increased its output significantly in 2012.

April 2, 2013

Bulgaria: Budget Deficit Amounting to BGN 732.0m

The budget balance under the Consolidated Fiscal Programme (CFP) as of end-February 2013 is negative, amounting to BGN 732.0 million.

April 2, 2013

Serbia and Macedonia Enhance Cooperations

Cooperation between Serbia and Macedonia precondition for efficient tackling of regional issues

April 2, 2013

Hungary: Marginal Increase in Employment Rate

In light of the flash report by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) released on March 28, a positive trend regarding employment – a priority area for the Government – becomes evident.

April 2, 2013