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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
Government Debt Increased to 82.6% of GDP in Austria and to 92.7% in Euro Area
At the end of the second quarter of 2014, the government debt to GDP ratio in the euro area (EA18) stood at 92.7%, compared with 91.9% at the end of the first quarter of 2014. Austria's government debt rose to 82.6 percent of GDP in Q2 2014 from 81.3 percent in Q1.
October 23, 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
Austrian EU Commissioner Hahn Blames British PM Cameron for Opening Doors to Ukip
Hahn argues, that David Cameron is to blame for his own defeat at the hands of the eurosceptic UKIP at the European elections.
May 31, 2014
Boyden Partners Met in Vienna to Discuss Emerging Markets Strategies
The annual global Boyden conference took place in Vienna. Despite the current political crisis in Ukraine the headhunting company sees good prospects of Austrian enterprises and managers.
May 23, 2014
Fischer: Room for Further Trade with Albania
Austrian President Heinz Fischer was paying a visit to Western Balkan States.
May 22, 2014
Austria: Right-Winged Extreme Party Buoyed by Tailwind
The Austrian right-winged Freedom Party (FPÖ) is using the disappointment over the grand coalition’s inability to tackle major economic issues to its advantage.
May 21, 2014
Croatia to Place New Eurobond by June
The Croatian government plans to issue a Eurobond until the beginning of June.
May 9, 2014
Calls for European Energy Union Become Louder
Polish PM Tusk called for a European energy union. His Hungarian counterpart supports the idea.
May 9, 2014
EU Council Trying to Find a Way Out of Ukraine Crisis
Ahead of the European Council, which is currently taking place in Vienna under the Austrian presidency, Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz declared not to expect a solution for the conflict in Ukraine.
May 6, 2014
Vranitzky: Joining EU One of the Most Courageous Steps
A symposium showed the EU Accession process of Austria in the early 1990’s in a new light.
May 6, 2014
Agenda Austria 2020: Economy = State
The think tank Agenda Austria 2020 is currently tackling the question what the “economy expects from the state”.
May 5, 2014
Federation of Industries: “Industrial Compact“ for European Competitiveness
The Austrian Federation of Industries (IV) considers the EU entry of Austria as the basis of prosperty and economic growth in the past years. However, now reforms are required to catch up to a global level.
May 5, 2014
Slovenian Banka Celje Needs Further State Aids
Because of the failed capital increase in the amount of € 160m, Banka Celje is requiring further state capital.
May 2, 2014
Fitch Upgrades Rating for Slovenia
Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlook on Slovenia's Long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) to Stable from Negative and affirmed the IDRs at 'BBB+'.
May 2, 2014
New Serbian Government Wants Speedy EU Accession
The new Serbian government is determined to accelerate the EU accession progress.
May 2, 2014
Majority of Czech Entrepreneurs Want Euro
According to a survey, more than three quarters of Czech entrepreneurs are in favor of the country adopting the Euro.
April 30, 2014
Austria Gives up Bank Secret for United States
Austria and the US have signed an agreement for the exchange of fiscal data. However, the agreement could be renewed soon.
April 30, 2014
Hypo Group Further Losses to Be Expected
Huge losses by the sale of the SEE banking network could be expected.
April 30, 2014
Situation for Austrian Banks in Russia is “Sensitive”
According to the latest statistics, Austrian banks are considerably more engaged in Russia than assumed so far. Debts to domestic financial institutes amount to € 50bn.
April 29, 2014
Budget Deficit: Austria Threatened with Penalty
Due to the capital injections into the distressed lender Hypo Group, Austria´s 2013 budget deficit will exceed the 3.0% threshold. According to Finance Minister Spindelegger, Austria might face an excessive deficit procedure.
April 25, 2014
„Brussels Must Reconsider Enlargement Policy“
Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz criticized the EU´s approach towards Ukraine. However, the EU has to develop further.
April 25, 2014
Do Taxes Justify a Relocation of Business?
Tax sensitive business operations should be relocated to other areas if necessary, according to the head of Erste Bank Austria.
April 24, 2014
Eder: Policy-Makers Have to Make Decisions
Wolfgang Eder, CEO of Austrian steel manufacturer voestalpine, claims not to have heard anything from the Austrian policy makers after he raised criticizm with regard to the Austrian business location.
April 24, 2014
Struggling Insurance Industry
Despite favorable results last year the European insurance market has to face a number of adverse factors.
April 23, 2014
Serbia: Key Rate Kept Unchanged.
The NBS (National Bank of Serbia) decided to keep the policy rate unchanged as there is no threat of inflation.
April 22, 2014
Serbia: EU Negotiations Important for Reforms
According to Tanja Miscevic, chief negotiator in Serbia’s EU accession talks, the opening of the Chapters 23 and 24 are crucial for the reform process in the Western Balkan country.
April 22, 2014
Austria: RLB OÖ Still Threatening to Leave
According to managing director of Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich (RLB OÖ) Heinrich Schaller, the tax burden is too high in Austria. The bank is still threatening to leave for Germany if the bank levy will not be changed.
April 17, 2014
Poland: Excessive Deficit Procedure for Two More Years
The Polish government expects the EU Commission to cancel the Excessive Deficit Procedure in “less than two years” due to the measures applied so far the continuing of economic recovery.
April 16, 2014
Austria: RLB OÖ Rows Bank on Threat to Leave
Last year regional lender RLB OÖ (Raiffeisen Landesbank Oberösterreich), part of Raiffeisen group, saw a decline of six percent in its balance sheet totals while the operating results increased by almost three percent.
April 16, 2014
Slovakia as a Role Model?
In an interview with Austrian daily “Wirtschaftsblatt”, Tomas Malatinsky, Economy Minister of Slovakia, talked about budget discipline, investments and tax policy.
April 16, 2014
Fricke: “Man Needs Relatively Little Bank”
Fricke, chief economist at the European Climate Foundation and author of “Wie viel Bank braucht der Mensch?" (How much bank does man need?)
April 15, 2014
“Bank Rescue is a Crime”
Martin Ehrenhauser, leading candidate of the Austrian electorial alliance “Europa Anders”, which is running for the EU elections, has voiced harsh criticism about the saving of financial institutes.
April 14, 2014
Poland: No Tax Hike Required
According to Poland’s Finance Minister, a tax increase is not required this year.
April 14, 2014
Slovenia: Head of NLB Throws in Towel
On Friday France Ahar, President of the supervisory board of the biggest lender of Slovenia, state-controlled NLB, handed in his resignation.
April 14, 2014
„We Must Create A Free Trade Area with Russia“
Sebastian Kurz, Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, proposes a deepening of the economic co-operation between Russia and the EU.
April 12, 2014
Austria: VBAG Sells Malta Affiliate
Partly nationalized VBAG (Österreichische Volksbanken AG) has sold its banking affiliate VB Malta to Maltese Mediterranean Bank (MedBank).
April 11, 2014
Serbia’s Goal to Join EU until 2020 “Realistic”
According to former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Serbia’s aim to become a member of the European Union until 2020 is realistic.
April 11, 2014
Moldova: Urgent Call for EU-Membership
Getting out of the zone of uncertainty and instability, this is the aim of the Moldovan Prime Minister Iurie Leanca.
April 10, 2014
Erste Group to be Relocated to the Czech Republic?
CEO of Erste Group, Andreas Treichl, has informed Czech President Milos Zeman about the bank’s intention to move to Prague in the coming years.
April 9, 2014
Austria: Government Wants “Restrictive Budget Performance”
Today the Austrian government has decided upon a “restrictive budget performance.
April 8, 2014
Nikolic: “Russia Will Never Recognize Kosovo”
In an interview with Austrian daily “Presse”, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic voiced his opinon on the political crisis on Crimea and the future about talks between Serbia and Kosovo.
April 8, 2014
Poland: Banks to Enhance Bond Issues
The Polish banks are expected to increase the value of bond issues in the next years.
April 8, 2014
Hungarian Electorial Law Supports Major Parties
Orban is the clear winner of the parliamentary elections in Hungary. He stressed that there are no more conflicts with the EU than any other member state had.
April 7, 2014
Austria: Majority Does Not Trust Euro
Only 49 percent of Austrian citizens have faith in the Euro.
April 7, 2014
Poland: No Danger of Deflation
According to Marek Belka, governor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), there is not threat of deflation.
April 7, 2014
Treichl: „The U.S. Have Solved the Crisis Better“
Andreas Treichl, CEO of the Vienna-listed lender Erste Group, thinks that everything takes too long in Europe. The communication between banks and the government is insufficient, Treichl says.
April 5, 2014
More than Half of Serbians Aspire EU Membership
55 percent of the Serbian citizens are in favor of the country becoming an EU member.
April 4, 2014
Bosnian Billionaire to Acquire Hypo Group?
The Finance Ministry confirmed the announcement and is now examining the offer.
April 4, 2014
RBI: Economic Recovery Despite Geopolitical Tensions
Economic upswing vs. geopolitics.
April 4, 2014
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