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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
Fekter Approves Greek Election Results
The Austrian Minister of Finance Maria Fekter is happy with the „Pro-European „ statement oft he Greeks. Minor adjustments to aid packages would be possible.
June 18, 2012
Austria Stresses Support for Rio+20
State Secretary Waldner: “Rio+20 brings a real opportunity for our environment and sustainable development”
June 18, 2012
Austria Among European Renewable Energy Nations
The contribution of renewable energy was up to 12.4% of energy consumption in the EU27 in 2010. The highest share is observed in Sweden, Latvia, Finland, Austria and Portugal.
June 18, 2012
Fekter Defends Euro Aids
Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter underlines the „necessity of solidarity“ and stressed ist commitment to the common currency. The Austria opposition party FPÖ made a serious protest.
June 16, 2012
Tax Treaty with Switzerland Finally Confirmed
The second chamber oft he Swiss Parliament approved the tax deal with Austria, Germany and the U.K.
June 16, 2012
Mitterlehner Suggests Dissolving ÖIAG
The Austrian Minister of Economics Reinhold Mitterlehner intends to privatizie the remaining stake in Telekom Austria. This could mean the end of the Austrian industrial holding.
June 16, 2012
Markus Beyrer New Director General of Businesseurope
The Council of Presidents (COPRES) of the leading European business organization unanimously appoints 46 year old Austrian.
June 15, 2012
Leitl Underlines Good Relations with Hungary
At the visit of Hungary´s Viktor Orban, the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) stresses the long-term commitment of Austrian enterprises in Hungary and claims legal security in return.
June 14, 2012
8th Conference of European Regions and Cities (CERC) in Austria
The Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE) is holding the 8th conference of European Regions and Cities in Grafenegg.
June 14, 2012
FPÖ: „Europe Has a Banking Problem“
The Austrian opposition leader Heinz-Christian Strache criticizes that European countries are downgraded due to their banks. Further bank aids would be likely.
June 13, 2012
Orban Defends Hungarian Economic Policy
The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met Austrian policymakers in Vienna. The Hungarian bank tax should be replaced by a financial transaction tax.
June 13, 2012
Austria Stresses Balance Between Growth and Austerity
At the negotiations on the EU financial plan 2014 – 2020 in Denmark, Austria proposes to establish a growth fund accessible to SMEs.
June 13, 2012
Austerity: „There is No Alternative“
The former director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies appreciates the help for Spanish banks and thinks that a Greek exit is rather unlikely.
June 12, 2012
Monti Angry at Fekter
Italy´s Prime Minister Mario Monti is unhappy with the statement of Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter on Italy. Fekter considered that Italy may need help by the EU.
June 12, 2012
Austria to Strengthen Cooperation with Baltic States
Austrian State Secretary meets the Speaker of the Latvian Parliament and underlines Latvia´s successful austerity course.
June 12, 2012
Spain: „ESM would be a Better Safeguard“
Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter wants Spain to call for aid via the ESM.
June 11, 2012
Hypo Group: The Time is Pressing
Until the end of this year, the Austrian nationalized banks needs an equity quota of 12.0%. This will not be achieved without special measures.
June 11, 2012
Austrian Banks Perform Well in Eastern Europe
The Austrian banks did not overreach themselves in Eastern Europe, the economist Bernhard Felderer says. By contrast, UniCredit, RBI and Erste Group are highly profitable.
June 11, 2012
Austria Promotes Political Cooperation in Black Sea Region
Conference in Tbilisi discusses issues of management of institutional administration and rule of law.
June 11, 2012
„We Won´t Get Any Money Back“
The former director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) does not think that Greece is able to pay back its debt. Nevertheless, Felderer still believes in the euro.
June 9, 2012
Nowotny Pushes Spain to Call for Help
The governor of Austria´s Central Bank Ewald Nowotny appeals on the Spanish government to call for help and fears that the situation could become even worse for Spain otherwise.
June 9, 2012
Fischer Has Understanding for Bank Tax in Slovakia
Slovakia wants to introduce bank taxes. Austria´s Federal President Heinz Fischer, who met his Slovakian counterpart Ivan Gasparovic, does not have objections.
June 9, 2012
EU-Crisis: Austrian Government Underlines Necessity of „Solidarity“
The Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner calls for a centralization of economic and financial policies.
June 8, 2012
IV: „Budget Consolidation Supports Economic Growth“
The Federation of Austrian Industries pushes for structural reforms in order to cut public expenses.
June 8, 2012
„There´s no Crisis in Eastern Europe“
Austrian economists and bankers do not comprehend the downgrade by Moody´s. The risk in Eastern Europe would be more differentiated, OeNB´s governor Nowotny said.
June 8, 2012
Kommunalkredit Sale: Austria Hires Morgan Stanley
The nationalized Austrian lender Kommunalkredit should be sold until 2013. The U.S. investment bank should act as commission agent.
June 6, 2012
Austrian R&D Expenses Rise to € 8.61bn
In 2012, R&D expenses are expected rise by 4.0% in Austria. The bulk of R&D expenses is contributed by enterprises.
June 6, 2012
„Bank Union is Still Far Away“
Ewald Nowotny, Governor of Austria´s Central Bank, thinks that a bank union in the Eurozone would still take some time. Erste Group´s CEO Andreas Treichl approves the idea.
June 6, 2012
Keuschnigg: „Raising ESM for Italy and Spain“
Christian Keuschnigg, director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) argues for raising ESM funds to € 1,000bn.
June 4, 2012
Austria to Expand Relations with Cyprus
Federal President Fischer and WKO´s President Leitl accomodated the Cypriot-Austrian Business Forum. Economic relations show potential for expansion and further development.
June 4, 2012
Spindelegger: “Great respect for future-oriented decision taken by Ireland”
The Austrian Vice Chancellor congratulates his Irish colleague Eamon Gilmore on the outcome of the referendum.
June 4, 2012
Trade Unions Wants „Just Taxation“
The Austrian Trade Unions warn of a strict austerity policy and pushes for growth stimulating measures.
June 2, 2012
Government Battles for OeNB´s Reorder
The reorder of the supervisory board and the management board at the Austrian Central Bank( OeNB) was brought forward. Now, a dispute between the coalition parties arose.
June 2, 2012
EU Calls on Austria to Accelerate Reforms
Austria has to put more effort in reforms. In the fields of education, labor market, retirement plan and budget consolidation, Austria shows deficits.
June 1, 2012
Treichl: „Spain Needs Help“
The CEO of theAustrian Erste Group Andreas Treichl is in doubt whether Spain may conquer the crisis without help. Regarding Greece, Europe has to pay anyway, Treichl thinks.
June 1, 2012
Austria´s Education Does not Keep up with Globalization
The Austrian economy suffers from a lack in skilled labor. Facing the rising competitiveness of emerging countries, this may become a major problem for Autria.
May 31, 2012
OeNB Reacts to EU-Commission´s Critique
The EU Commission warned Austria of the big lending exposure in Eastern Europe. According to the Austrian Central Bank, the CESEE region must be seen differantiated.
May 31, 2012
Austrian Business Location: Further Slump in Competitiveness
According to the Swiss Management Institute IMD, Austria only ranks 21th among 59 analyzed countries. The Austrian tax policy is the absolute weak point.
May 31, 2012
The Euro - A Big Error (Part 4)
The common currency did not create convergence, but widened the gap between Northern and Southern Eurozone member states.
May 31, 2012
Switzerland Ratifies Tax Treaty with Austria
The Swiss National Council approved the tax deal with Austria. Illegal funds of Austrian nationals in Switzerland will be taxed.
May 30, 2012
Austrian Budget Target Endangered
In spite of decreasing revenues and rising expenses, Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter expects to reach the budget target.
May 30, 2012
„Something Is Wrong in Austria“
According to the Austrian Chamber of Labor, Austrian workers have to bear the highest burden of the crisis. The contribution of great fortunes would be insufficient.
May 30, 2012
Austrian Industry: „Growth Instead of Redistribution“
After the Austrian Chamber of Labor claimed he Federation of Austrian Industry underlines that Austria has the highest redistribution quota among OECD members.
May 30, 2012
Hypo Group: Further State Aids not Excluded
Johannes Ditz, chairman of the nationalized Hypo Group Alpe Adria, wants to sell about a third of the interests until 2014. In the end, losses are likely.
May 30, 2012
Exposure in Eastern Europe Remains Austria´s Weak Point
The Commission of the European Union warned Austria of the big exposure of domestic banks in Eastern Europe. Moreover, the austerity package was criticized.
May 30, 2012
Austrian Proposal for EU Growth and Innovation Fund
In-depth discussion at the General Affairs Council on the multi-annual financial framework of the EU. Austria pushes for more economizations.
May 30, 2012
„Nabucco Is Still an Option“
Elshad Nassirov, Vice-Chairman oft he Azerbaijani gas company Socar, argues that BP´s statement about Nabucco was premature.
May 29, 2012
Nowotny: „Keeping Greece in Eurozone Has Highest Priority“
The Governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB), Ewald Nowotny thinks that ECB does not plan a new bond purchase program.
May 29, 2012
Spindelegger: „The Reform Process has Become Unstoppable“
42nd Viennese seminar of the International Peace Institute on the Arab Spring: Austria´s Foreign Minister is optimistic for the Arab community.
May 29, 2012
Switzerland: Resistance Against Tax Deal with Austria
Swiss parties are against the tax agreement with Austria. The social democrats and the Swiss People´s Party oppose the plan.
May 29, 2012