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Enlargement Perspectives for the Western Balkans - The Role of Parliaments
During a panel discussion in the Austrian Parliament, the perspective of enlargement for the Western Balkans and, in this context, the role of parliaments were discussed. The future of the six candidate countries in the Western Balkans is within the EU. They need an honest perspective for this common future with the EU Member States. The EU must contribute to ensuring the stability of the democracies in these countries. The former President of the German Bundestag, Norbert Lammert, attended the discussion.
October 11, 2018
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
Meet the Ambassador of Montenegro to Austria: H.E. Mr. Zeljko Perovic
The new Ambassador of Montenegro to Austria Mr. Zeljko Perovic presented President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
April 16, 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
Western Balkans Summit was Held in Paris
Following the 2014 Western Balkans Summit in Berlin and the Vienna Western Balkans Summit of August 2015, the third Western Balkans Summit was held in Paris in the context of the ‘Berlin Process’. More than 500,000 of the people with migration background who live in Austria are from the region. Austrian companies have hundreds of branches or subsidiaries in the Western Balkans, which clearly illustrates the very close economic relations.
July 8, 2016
Western Balkans Countries Discussed Investment, Jobs and Integration in Vienna
The World Bank and the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) held a high-level policy dialogue on ‘Investment, Jobs and Integration’ last week. Ministers and senior officials from the Western Balkans region as well as policy experts from international organisations and the business community gathered to discuss the challenges the region is currently facing, in particular the high unemployment rate, low international competitiveness, and lack of modern infrastructure.
July 8, 2016
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
Central and Eastern Europe's Financial Elite Gathered at the CEE Forum in Vienna
The 21st Euromoney Central and Eastern European Forum ended in Vienna today, where 1000 delegates from the region joined local and international investors to help plan, debate and analyze the economic agenda for the region for the year ahead. The vast majority of the delegates have a negative outlook for the year 2016. Only one of the participants expects that this year CEE will grow more than 3.5%.
January 20, 2016
Report: Drug Money and Opiate Trafficking on the Balkan Route
A report recently launched by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shows that the total value of illicit heroin and opium trafficked from Afghanistan to Western Europe through the Balkans amounts to some $28 billion every year. Sixty-five per cent of this total ($18 billion) is generated in Western and Central Europe.
December 14, 2015
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
EBRD Sees Mixed Outlook for CESEE Countries in 2015-16
The outlook for economies in central and south eastern Europe is improving on the back of eurozone monetary easing but prospects further to the east of the transition region have worsened, as the impact of Russia’s recession intensifies.
May 14, 2015
List of National Days of the home countries of all foreign Missions and Delegations in Vienna, Austria
The Vindobona table below is an updated list of National Days of all nations, which belong to at least one of following categories: Foreign Missions and Delegations in Vienna, Austria; Diplomatic Corps and other representations in Austria; International Organizations in Vienna and Permanent Missions; Missions and Delegations to the OSCE.
February 11, 2015 · Updated: February 7, 2018; 08:12
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
ECB Puts Pressure on Hypo Group
The distressed Austrian nationalized lender has no access to the Eurosystem monetary policy credit instruments. About ten potential buyers might be interested in the Balkan lender.
April 5, 2014
Hypo Group: Five Potential Buyers for CESEE Affiliates
Alexander Picker, CEO of the nationalized bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria, is optimistic that the affiliates in the Western Balkan countries may be sold until the end of 2014.
March 1, 2014
Montenegro Gets Own Embassy in Romania
On Tuesday Montenegro opened its first embassy in Romania.
February 19, 2014
Hypo Group Alpe Adria: Nowotny Attacks Fekter
Governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) Ewald Nowotny criticizes former Minister of Finance Maria Fekter sharply and blames her for inactivity.
February 15, 2014 · Updated: February 15, 2014; 18:19
Suspicious Secrecy in the Cause of Hypo Group Alpe Adria
In the matter of Hypo Group Alpe Adria, the Austrian government acts disconcertingly. Details on the situation of the nationalized banks are still kept as a secret.
February 1, 2014
Uniqa Montenegro Increases Market Share
Market share expands to 14.6 per cent. Non-life premium volume increases to 6.7 million euros.
January 28, 2014
Another Emergency at Hypo Group Alpe Adria
The series of bad news does not come to an end. After enormous capital injections in 2013, the nationalized Austrian lender again needs help from the Austrian state.
January 24, 2014
Hypo Group: Austrian Government Seems Aimless
Although the restructuring of the nationalized Austrian lender is one of the most pressing issues, the Austrian government could not present a sound concept yet.
December 27, 2013
Sale of Hypo Group: Small Number of Potential Buyers
In 2014, Hypo Group´s assets will be sold. It is not certain whether there will be a bad bank or not. Even a bankruptcy is not completely excluded.
December 7, 2013
„We Can Exclude a Bankruptcy of Hypo Group”
Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) and Klaus Liebscher, head of Hypo Group´s supervisory board argue that the nationalized bank will be downsized according to plan.
November 29, 2013
Hypo Group: Urgent Need for Fresh Money
The ailing nationalized bank Austrian Hypo Group Alpe Adria has a capital shortfall of € 1.3bn. The gap must be closed before the end of the year.
November 11, 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
Hypo Group to Create Bad Bank
After months of considerations, the Austrian government will decide for the bad bank. The nationalized banking group will be a major burden for the state.
October 26, 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
Hypo Group: Worst Expectations May be Exceeded
For the Austrian state, the ailing nationalized banking group may become a financial GSA. The legal dispute with the former owner BayernLB bears enormous dangers for Austria´s public finance.
October 25, 2013
Pecik to Buy Hypo Group´s SEE-Affiliates?
The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik is said to be interested in acquiring the Southeast European subsidiaries of nationalized Hypo Group.
October 2, 2013
Hypo Group: Sale of Assets in SEE to Take Forms
The nationalized Austrian bank Hypo Group sells its assets in Southeastern Europe. The SEE-holding company will be established until the beginning of October.
September 29, 2013
Another Austerity Package in Austria?
Due to the dismal situation of nationalized banks, the economist Christian Keuschnigg anticipates another austerity package after the election at the end of September.
September 6, 2013
EU Approves Hypo Group´s Restructuring Plan
The re-privatization of the Austrian publicly held banking group was approved by the Commission. According to the Commission´s report, Hypo Group´s expansion strategy was highly dangerous.
September 2, 2013
Hypo Group Considers IPO
The Austrian nationalized bank takes an IPO of its Eastern subsidiaries into account.
August 31, 2013
United States Will Always Keep Its Eye on the Balkans
Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Riker.
June 10, 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
Montenegro: Knocking on Brussels’ Door
In an interview with the Austrian newspaper Presse, state secretary for European integratition and Montenegro’s chief negotiator Aleksandar Pejovic informs when his country is ready to join the EU.
March 9, 2013
Hypo Group: Cash Contributions Come at € 500m
The Austrian state has to inject another € 500m in the financially stricken nationalized bank. Furthermore, guarantees will increase by € 1.0bn.
November 14, 2012
Hypo Group Starts Selling Business in SEE
The nationalized Austrian banking group has to downsize drastically. Today, Hypo Group started to put the subsidiaries in Southeastern Europe for sale.
November 6, 2012
Real Estate Crisis in the Balkans Has Deepened
Due to the economic crisis in Southeastern Europe, real estate prices are still falling. Since 2008, prices fell by up to 50%.
June 28, 2012
Austria Appreciates Opening of Accession Negotiations
After the beginning of the accession negotiations with the EU, the Austrian government congratulates Montenegro.
June 26, 2012
Downsizing: Hypo Group Aims to Achieve Proceeds of € 1.5bn
The nationalized Austrian banking group Hypo Group Alpe Adria starts its sales program in SEE countries and wants to achieve proceeds of € 1.5bn
May 21, 2012
3E Group Grows in Eastern Europe
The Austrian building material company´s revenues were up by 3.2% in 2011. Total sales reached € 546m.
January 30, 2012
VSE Cooperates with Montenegro Stock Exchange
Vienna Stock Exchange and Montenegro Stock Exchange sign agreement on data vending cooperation.
November 16, 2011
CEE Economic Forum: Green Trends for Eastern Europe
In 2011, Forum Velden in Carinthia celebrates its 5th anniversary. Since its foundation in 2006, over 1.500 experts, top-managers and politicians from over 25 countries have participated in the Forum.
September 7, 2011
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