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Austria: Four Conditions For Commission In Return for Bank Secret

In a letter to Tax Commissioner Semeta Austrian Finance Minister Fekter and Chancellor Faymann set the conditions for the agreement of a negotiation mandate with third countries about the exchange of information.
April 25, 2013


Austria: Green’s Motion of Censure Denied

The Green Party’s motion of censure against Finance Minister Fekter was denied by almost all parties in the National Assembly.
April 25, 2013


Poland to Support Serbia's European Integration

Dacic and Tusk agreed on improving cooperations, enhancing bilateral trade and increase Polish investments in Serbia.
April 25, 2013


Poland: Public Deficit Targed Missed

Rowstowski does not expect the excessive deficit procedure to be lifted.
April 24, 2013


Ukraine and Ireland to Sign Double Tax Agreement

Ukraine and Ireland signed a Double Tax Agreement in Kyiv during the official visit of Irish Minister of State at the Department of Finance Brian Hayes.
April 24, 2013


Austrian Greens Put Forward Motion of Censure Against Fekter

The Austrian Greens intend to file a motion of censure against Finance Minister Maria Fekter. Party Leader Eva Glawischnig announced a “match of Greens against Fekter”.
April 24, 2013


Romania: Criticism from EU for Budget Projection

The EU Commission criticizes Romania’s budget projections for the use of EU funds in the time frame between 2014 and 2020.
April 24, 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


Hungary: New Political Competition For Orban

Former Finance Minister founds “conservative, pro-European” party.
April 23, 2013


EU Commission Waiting For Austria’s Decision

The EU Commission expects a uniform stance in regard to Austria’s bank secret and the transition to automatic exchange of information.
April 23, 2013


Spindelegger: "Brave Agreement Between Serbia and Kosovo Important Sign of Liberation for Entire Region"

Win-win agreement should now quickly be implemented to the benefit of the people. The EU will have to deliver on its promise
April 23, 2013


Nowotny Concerned About Reputation of Austrian Banks

Ewald Nowotny, Govenor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), is critical towards the continuing debate about keeping the bank secrecy. He fears that doubts in the integrity of the domestic banking sector could emerge.
April 22, 2013


Former Polish President: “EU Needs Ukraine”

In an interview with Polish news magazine Wprost, former Polish president Aleksandar Kwasniewski explains that in the future, the EU will need Ukraine.
April 22, 2013


Eurozone: Government Deficit Decreased to 3.7 % in 2012

Euro area and EU27 government deficit at 3.7% and 4.0% of GDP respectively. Government debt at 90.6% and 85.3%
April 22, 2013


EU Accession Date for Serbia Voted on Today

On Friday, heads of Serbian and Kosovar government Ivica Dacic and Hashim Thaci have come to an agreement under the the special guidance of EU Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton.
April 22, 2013


Austria: National Assembly to Vote on Bail-Out Package for Cyprus

In order for Cyprus‘ bail-out package to become effective, many national parliaments have to vote in favor of it. Austrian’s opposition is against it.
April 22, 2013


Czech President to Visit Austria

New President of the Czech Republic Milos Zeman is going to visit Austria with his wife Ivana Zemanova on Tuesday and Wednesday.
April 22, 2013


EU Countries to Use Ukrainian Gas Storage Facilities

EU Countries Show Interest in Ukraine’s Gas Transportation System
April 19, 2013


Serbia: Agreements in Kosovo Negotiations

Commissioner Ashton announced that both countries have found an arrangement.
April 19, 2013


9.2 Million EU Citizens Wish To Work More Hours

Labour Force Survey: Proportion of underemployed part-time workers up to 21.4% in the EU27 in 2012
April 19, 2013


Schwarzenberg: „Slovenia Joining V4 Would Not Be Efficient“

V4 Foreign Ministers have declared disapprobation of Slovenia joining the group.
April 19, 2013


EU27: Surplus of € 21.8bn in Last Quarter of 2012

Second estimate for the fourth quarter of 2012 EU27 current account surplus 31.4 bn euro 36.2 bn euro surplus for trade in services.
April 19, 2013


Rehn: Slovenia Has to Take Actions Immediatly

EU official presses Slovenia to restructure its banking industry to evade bailout.
April 19, 2013


Cyprus: Increase of Taxes Resolved

The Cyprian parliament has voted for an increase of taxes. Among other things, business taxes will increase from 10 % to 12.5 %.
April 19, 2013


Belgrade: Ready to Accept Agreements

Ninth round of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue ended with no agreement
April 18, 2013


Heated Debate in EP About Hungary

On Wednesday, the European Parliament has lead a heated debate concerning the controversial amendments to the Hungarian constitution.
April 18, 2013


Croatia Looking at EU Through Rose-Tinted Glasses

On July 1, Croatia will be joining the EU as 28th member state. Croatia is the first country after the economic crisis to become a member of the Union.
April 17, 2013


First EU Bail-Out Funds for Cyprus in Mid-May

The € 10bn worth bail-out package for Cyprus will become effective in the next few weeks, according to the Irish EU Presidency.
April 17, 2013


Austria and Turkey to Deepen Relations

Justice Minister Karl wants to improve cooperations with Turkey.
April 17, 2013


Rothensteiner: „Strictly Against Discussion“

Head of RZB (Raiffeisen Zentralbank) Walter Rothensteiner is everything else but happy about the current discussion about the bank secret and deposit guarantee.
April 17, 2013


Slovenia to Emerge From Quagmire By Itself?

A recent report by the OECD paints a dim picture of the country’s economic future.
April 17, 2013


Austria’s Economy Grows Faster Than Eurozone

Economists of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are confident for a positive development of Austria’s economy.
April 16, 2013


Convergence Programme in Hungary: Faster Growth, Lower Deficit

The updated Convergence Programme covering the period 2013-2016 projects faster growth and a lower deficit for the upcoming years.
April 16, 2013


Lithuania Supports Serbia's European Integration

Butkevicius said that Dacic’s visit to Vilnius is an encouraging and positive change in relations between the two countries.
April 16, 2013


Czech Republic: Finance Ministry Worsens Economic Outlook

In an updated macroeconomic forecast for the economic development, the Czech Finance Ministry deteriorated the country’s outlook.
April 16, 2013


Austria: Hypo Group to Come Under Fire

Pressure from Brussel grows for a fast selling of Hypo Group.
April 16, 2013


Hungary: Increasing Tensions Between Barroso and Orban

President of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso wrote another letter to Prime Minister Orban warning him of the impacts in case the government will not realize the claimed measures.
April 15, 2013


New Fiscal Rules in EU Six-Pack to Benefit CEE5

New fiscal rules should reduce risk of self-defeating austerity. There is no need for CEE countries to raise taxes if they stick to growth-friendly policies and cap real increase of expenditures below 1%.
April 15, 2013


Eurozone: Trade Surplus € 1.3bn Y/Y

Euro area international trade in goods surplus € 10.4 bn
April 15, 2013


Cyprus Grants Damaged Foreign Investors Citizenship

Instead of the so-far € 10bn, investors now only have to endow € 3bn in order to obtain the Cyprian citizenship.
April 15, 2013


Slovenia to Sell Two State Enterprises

On a press conference on Friday, Prime Minister Bratusek announced the selling of two state-owned companies, one of them being a bank.
April 13, 2013


EU Threatens Hungary With Process

The EU Commission has warned Hunary with a lawsuit in case the government in Budapest should not withdraw the controversial amendmends to the consititution.
April 12, 2013


EU Examines Bulgarian Electricy Market

On request of the Bulgarian Government, an expert group will examine the prices for electricity after the protests. Another issue is the independence of the energy regulator.
April 12, 2013


Cyprus to Receive More Capital

Cyprus requires more money than expected and will receive it. Head of Eurogroup, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, has promised an examination if money laundering exists.
April 12, 2013


1.4 Million Austrians At Risk of Poverty

According to the most recent EU social report, 1.4m Austrians are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Social Minister Hundstorfer regards Austria be on the right path in the fight against poverty.
April 12, 2013


Cyprus: Bail-Out Package More Expensive Than Thought

The aid-money needed increases from € 17.5bn to € 23bn, according to Cyprian government.
April 11, 2013


Bulgaria: Commission Forcasts Economic Imbalances until 2015

EU Commission: Trend of reducing imbalances in Bulgarian economy is confirmed
April 11, 2013


Fekter: „Austria is a High-Tax Country“

Bank secrecy will be an official issue at the meeting of EU finance ministers in Dublin on Saturday. Fekter criticizes the UK sharply.
April 11, 2013


Serbia: Vucic „Deeply Disappointed“

Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has given up hope for a new date in June for the beginning of EU accession negotiations. Russian Prime Minister Medvedev expressed support.
April 11, 2013


Bad Outlook for Slovenia’s Economy

Slovenia receives bad marks in a report by the EU Commission. Together with Spain, Slovenia’s economy is endagered to collapse in case measures will not be made in the next few weeks.
April 11, 2013