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Albania
The Window of Opportunity for the Western Balkans
Will the Western Balkan countries be able to take advantage of the moment and will it bring the year 2018 closer to the European Union? In February 2018, a new Enlargement Strategy was presented in Strasbourg by the EU Commission. Bulgaria, currently having the Presidency of the Council of the EU, will organize a major Balkan’s Summit in May. Austria, for a long time one of the most prominent promoters of the EU Enlargement for the Western Balkans and a country deeply intertwined with the region, will assume the EU presidency in the second half of 2018. This year represents one of the crucial moments for enlargement as major steps need to be undertaken to reach the goal of making the enlargement perspective realistic for 2025.
April 26, 2018
Goals for Austria's Presidency of the Council of the European Union
On 1 July 2018, Austria will take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Bulgaria. During its Presidency of the Council of the European Union (1 July to 31 December 2018), guided by the motto "A Europe that protects", Austria will focus on three key areas: security and the fight against illegal migration, retaining competitiveness through digitalisation, and stability in the neighbouring regions (particularly the accession of the Western Balkans to the EU).
April 25, 2018
The New Balkans in the Year of Hope for EU Enlargement
2018 has been frequently described as the „year of hope“ for EU enlargement and for the Balkans. In February 2018, a new Enlargement Strategy was presented in Strasbourg by the EU Commission. Bulgaria, currently having the Presidency of the Council of the EU, will organize a major Balkan’s Summit in May 2018. Austria, for a long time one of the most prominent promoters of the EU Enlargement for the Western Balkans and a country deeply intertwined with the region, will assume the EU presidency in the second half of 2018. 2018 represents one of the crucial moments for enlargement as major steps need to be undertaken to reach the goal of making enlargement perspective realistic for 2025.
April 20, 2018
The Western Balkans Remain a Priority of Austrian Foreign Policy
Because of a common history and the tradition of political, cultural and economic relations, Austrian foreign policy has always attached particular importance to the Western Balkans. The primary goal of Austrian foreign policy is to support the transformation of the Western Balkans area into a zone of stability. From the Austrian perspective there is only one option for the Western Balkans: a full European integration of the region. However, the political commitment from the regions' leaders is expected.
February 28, 2018
The Western Balkans Conference Which Led to Row Over Worsening Refugee Crisis
Convened on the initiative of Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz and Austrian Minister of the Interior Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the Western Balkans conference “Managing Migration Together” was held at the Federal Ministry of the Interior in Vienna. 18 foreign and interior ministers from the Western Balkans attended the conference. The participants included the foreign and interior ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.
February 26, 2016
Only Full EU-Integration Can Stabilise the Western Balkans for a Lasting Time
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sebastian Kurz commented on the European Commission’s progress reports, which were presented earlier this month: “Most of the Western Balkans countries’ progress on their way in direction of EU-membership is noticeable and positive. The Commission’s new methodology renders possible an improved analysis on the progress made in the respective countries in the last year. This creates a positive competition. The new progress reports also underscore that all candidate countries still have a lot of hard work before them and EU support towards this is essential. The current refugee crisis is no exception in this respect as it shows, how important the Western Balkans countries and Turkey are to Europe in tackling this particular challenge.”
November 18, 2015
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird Visits Austria and The Balkans
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird today announced that he will visit Croatia, Serbia and Albania. The visit to the Balkans comes after Baird spoke about Ukraine and other global security issues at a high-level forum in Salzburg, organized by the International Peace Institute and the Salzburg Global Seminar.
August 27, 2014
Cost of Living Rankings: CEE Capitals Cheaper, Vienna is 32nd Most Expensive City
The Mercer's 2014 Cost of Living Rankings have been published and cover 211 cities across five continents. While Western European cities have all risen in the rankings mainly due to the strengthening of the Euro against the US dollar, most cities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), however have fallen in the ranking as a result of local currencies depreciating against the US dollar. Bratislava (#84), Prague (#92), Kiev (#98), Ljubljana (#116), Zagreb (#120), Budapest (#135), Warsaw (#142), Belgrade (#184).
July 25, 2014
Albania Receives EU Candidate Status
At the General Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, Ministers from the EU Member States have agreed – based on the recommendation by the European Commission to grant EU candidate status to Albania, subject to endorsement by EU heads of states at the forthcoming European Council on Friday in Brussels.
June 26, 2014
Austria's Foreign Policy on the Western Balkans
Due to centuries of political, cultural and economic interrelations, Austrian foreign policy has always attached particular importance to the Balkans. The prime goal of Austrian foreign policy is to support the transformation of the Western Balkans into a zone of stability.
June 4, 2014
Austria: Western Balkans Representatives are Meeting in Vienna
The Western Balkans Conference and the Central European Initiative (CEI) Ministerial Meeting are currently discussing questions regarding the EU enlargement, the role of the EU as a peace project and the economic situation in the Western Balkans.
June 3, 2014
Fischer: Room for Further Trade with Albania
Austrian President Heinz Fischer was paying a visit to Western Balkan States.
May 22, 2014
Edi Rama: "If Europe Decides Not To Need Muslim Balkan States, Terrible Things Will Happen"
The Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the Bruno Kreisky Forum in Vienna.
May 13, 2014
Prime Minister Edi Rama: Albania’s European Renaissance
Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania since 2013 is going to address the Bruno Kreisky Forum in Vienna.
May 8, 2014
Leaders from Western Balkans Meeting at EBRD
Prime Ministers from the Western Balkans are gathering to discuss economic cooperations.
February 25, 2014
Croatia Supports Albania in EU Accession Course
Albania hopes that EU Accession Negotiations will take place in June 2014.
January 22, 2014
“No Real Wage Loss This Year“
In terms of real wages, Austria may face a trend reversal this year. In Southeastern Europe, by contrast, poverty is growing considerably.
January 21, 2014
Southeastern Europe Endangered of Civil Unrests
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, several CESEE countries may face civil unrests in 2014. In particular, Southeastern Europe is in the danger zone.
January 4, 2014
Bank of Albania Presses for Agreement with IMF
The Albanian economy from short-term adjustment toward long-term sustainable growth. Why Albania needs an agreement with the IMF.
December 4, 2013
CESEE: Slight Growth Acceleration, but Uncertainties Persist
The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) has published the economic forecast for the CESEE region today. The economic performance varies substantially from country to country.
November 28, 2013
Albania: Governor Calls For Measures for Balanced Financial System
Financial institutes in Albania are struggling with a weak demand in credits as the country has been affected by the economic and financial crisis.
November 20, 2013
Albania: Domestic Banks Struggling to Keep Up
According to a report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Albanian financial sector is dominated by foreign banks. Domestic banks are struggling to keep up with the internationally operating competition.
November 8, 2013
Visegrad Countries Encourage Western Balkans to Join EU
Representatives from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary support the EU accession of Western Balkan countries.
October 31, 2013
Lopatka: EU Enlargement Process of Western Balkans Decisive for Austria
“Non-Enlargement” of Western Balkan states would be fatal for Austrian businesses operating in the region and the national economy.
October 31, 2013
Albania Fighting NPLs
The Bank of Albania discusses introducing a policy for reducing non-performing loans and enhance lending.
October 28, 2013
Southeastern Europe Initiates Common Economic Strategy
In Croatia´s capital Zagreb, the Southeast European countries agreed on putting more common effort into innovation based growth strategies.
October 26, 2013
Albania: World Bank Satisfied with Progress
Piero Cipollone, Executive Director of the World Bank Group visited Albania from October 21-22, 2013. In his role as Executive Director, he represents Albania’s interests as a shareholder on the World Bank’s Board.
October 25, 2013
EU Enlargement: Commission Recommends to Take Up Albania and Macedonia
In a set of annual reports adopted, the European Commission recommends granting EU candidate status to Albania and for the fifth time in a row, the opening of accession negotiations with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
October 17, 2013
Albania: Economic Growth below Potential
Structural reforms are needed to boost productivity and competitiveness and avoid weaknesses, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
October 15, 2013
New Economic Strategy for SEE
On Tuesday, economic experts held a meeting in the Albanian capital Tirana to examine a draft strategy for development and employment in the SEE region until the year 2020.
October 2, 2013
EU Commissioner Füle Encourages Albania
EU Commissioner Štefan Füle discusses Albania's path to EU with new PM
September 18, 2013
Barroso: “Albania’s Future Is in The European Union”
President of the EU Commission Barroso is confident about Albania’s commitment.
September 17, 2013
Austrian Appointed Head of the OSCE in Albania
Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs congratulates Ambassador Raunig on his appointment as head of the OSCE Presence in Albania.
July 22, 2013
Serbia Considering Loan Agreement With IMF
Serbia is considering discussing a possible IMF loan after EU entry talks are agreed on. German Finance Minister Guido Westerwelle announced his support in Serbia’s path to an EU membership.
May 21, 2013
Czech Republic: Extraordinary Income Boosts CEZ Results
Increase in net profits by 24 % results from revenues from the certificates and integrations.
May 8, 2013
Albania and Poland to Enhance Diplomatic Relations
Albania's Minister of Foreign Affairs received the Ambassador of Poland, Mr. Marek Jeziorski this week.
May 3, 2013
Austria: EVN Results Expected to Be Below Estimates
EVN specifies expected consolidated Group net profit as of 09/30/2013
May 2, 2013
Albania: Under EU’s Watch
Brussels called for further modernizations of the judiciary in Albania before the EU considers Accession talks with the country. Futhermore the union announced to keep a close eye on the elections in June.
April 24, 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
Ukraine: Not Enough Progress
According to an evaluating report of the EU, Ukraine does not show enough progress in reforms.
March 20, 2013
Austria: EVN To Sell Devoll Hydropower To Statkraft A. S.
Agreement regarding the sale of EVN AG's stake in Devoll Hydropower ShA, a project entity for the construction of a hydro power plant in Albania, to Statkraft A.S.
March 14, 2013
Macedonia: Protests Against Government
Young Albanians protest against an „Anti-Albanian“ policy.
March 8, 2013
"Austria remains a reliable partner for Albania on its way towards the EU"
Austria´s Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger at the opening of the Skanderbeg exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Albania's independence and 20 years of Austrian development cooperation in Albania
November 26, 2012
Albania to Become Official Candidate
The Western Balkan country was recommended by the EU Commission. Serbia and Kosovo must reach a “sustainable solution”.
October 10, 2012
EVN and Verbund Open the Ashta Hydropower Plant in Albania
The project company “Energji Ashta“ and its owners EVN and Verbund are opening the first section of the Ashta hydropower plant (Ashta I) on the Drin River in Northern Albania.
September 18, 2012
„Becoming Number Five Until 2015“
In an interview with the Austrian newspaper „Presse“, Uniqa´s CEO Andreas Brandstetter is optimistic to become a big player in the insurance industry in the CESEE region.
September 15, 2012
Austria Remains One of the Biggest CESEE Investors
Austria is still an important net investor in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. However, the global importance of the region did not increase.
July 6, 2012
Austrian Lotteries Apply for License in Albania
The Albanian Ministry of Finance offers licenses for foreign applicants. A heavy dispute occurs.
June 22, 2012
Verbund and EVN Develop Hydro Power Projects in Albania
The Austrian energy companies are interested in developping hydro power projects in the Western Balkan country. The investment volume reaches € 80m.
June 6, 2012
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