Western Balkans

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

Bosnian Billionaire to Acquire Hypo Group?

The Finance Ministry confirmed the announcement and is now examining the offer.

April 4, 2014

Serbia: New Government to Hold EU Accession Talks Regularly

The next government of Serbia will hold sessions with regard to the EU accesssion on a regular basis, as announced by Miscevic, chief EU negotiator of Serbia.

April 3, 2014

Ten Years After The 2004 EU Enlargement: Achievements and Next Steps

International Conference, Vienna, 24-25 April 2014

March 31, 2014

Austria: Opposition Criticizes Nationalization

On Thursday Finance Minister Michael Spindelegger expects a binding statement by ailing bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria about how much state aid will be required. The opposition heavily criticizes the nationalization by the Austrian state in 2009.

March 20, 2014

Austria: Carinthia Forced to Pay for Hypo Group

Finance Minister Michael Spindelegger announced wanting to include the federal province of Carinthia to participate in the downsizing costs for ailing bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria. Austerity measures are “inevitable”.

March 17, 2014

Austria: Spindelegger Demands Valid Figures by Hypo Group

Finance Minister Michael Spindelegger demands valid figures from Hypo Group Alpe Adria before any further capital injections will be made by the Austrian state.

March 15, 2014

Austria/SEE: Crucial Days for Hypo Group’s Future

Today the supervisory board of ailing Hypo Group is gathering to determine the financial gap of Hypo Group and the amount required to complete the balance sheets for 2013. Moreover, a decision about the SEE network will have to be made.

March 14, 2014

Hypo Group: Further State Aid Necessary This Year

Finance Minister Spindelegger fears that nationalized problem bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria will require further state aids for its downsizing still within this year.

March 10, 2014

“Serbia Has to Become Economically and Politically Stable”

Prime Minister Dacic promised to continue to follow the path to an EU membership. Former Austrian Chancellor Gusenbauer underlines Serbia’s importance among Western Balkan states.

March 3, 2014

Leaders from Western Balkans Meeting at EBRD

Prime Ministers from the Western Balkans are gathering to discuss economic cooperations.

February 25, 2014

Serbia: Full EU Member by 2020?

Aleksandar Vucic, Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, said on Thursday evening that the country had full political stability and announced that the country’s aim is to become an EU member in 2020.

February 22, 2014

Montenegro Gets Own Embassy in Romania

On Tuesday Montenegro opened its first embassy in Romania.

February 19, 2014

Picker: Hypo to Cost Taxpayers “Only” up to € 4bn

According to CEO of Hypo Group Alpe Adria Picker, the ailing bank will burden taxpayers with “only“ € 4bn at the most. Head of IHS, Keuschnigg, warns the Austrian policy-makers of forwarding costs to bondholders.

February 19, 2014

Serbia: Fast Implementations of Reforms Crucial

Tanja Miscevic, chief negotiator in the EU accession talks, announced on Sunday that elections in Serbia are not slowing down the process in European integration.

February 17, 2014

EU Puts Limit to State Aids for Hypo Group

So far, € 4.8bn in capital aids had to be injected into ailing bank Hypo Group Alpe Adria. According to an EU statement, the Austrian state is only permitted to spend € 3.65bn on Hypo Group.

February 14, 2014

CEE: Still Growth Market in Real Estate Sector

The region is still a growth market in the real estate sector even after the crisis. However, the legal situation in some CEE countries can be a pitfall to real estate companies.

February 10, 2014

Uniqa Kosovo Grows Twice as Quickly as Market

Premium volume up 22.9 per cent in the first nine months of 2013. Non-life grows twice as quickly as the market

January 30, 2014

VSE and Kazakhstan Stock Exchange to Intensify Cooperations

Vienna Stock Exchange (VSE) and Kazakhstan Stock Exchange intensify cooperation – joint data vending agreed.

January 30, 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

Serbia: World Bank Delays Loan

The World Bank has delayed a loan in the amount of US-$ 250m for Serbia.

January 24, 2014

Croatia Supports Albania in EU Accession Course

Albania hopes that EU Accession Negotiations will take place in June 2014.

January 22, 2014

Uniqa Serbia Continues to Grow

Market share increases to 7.3 per cent in third quarter of 2013. Premium volume for life insurance up 18.5 per cent.

January 20, 2014

Romania: Slight Increase in FX Reserves

In December 2013 FX reserves increased slightly compared to the previous month.

January 7, 2014

CEE: Economic Sentiment Cautiously Optimistic

The economic sentiment for Eastern European countries is becoming more optimistic, however, only cautiously. Poland is on top of the list of economists at JP Morgan.

January 2, 2014

Slovenia: FDI to Remain Low in 2014

No improvement in increasing foreign direct investments in Slovenia is expected this year. The country has one of the smallest shares in inward FDI among EU member countries.

January 2, 2014

Macedonian Banks Should Support Private Sector

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Stavreski calls upon Macedonian banks to support the private sector.

December 18, 2013

Economic Recovery in CESEE Supported by Exports

According to the GDP data for some Central and South Eastern European countries published today, economic recovery was backed by a strong increase in export activity.

December 5, 2013

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

Uniqa on Successful Growth Path in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Provisions increased by 15.2 percent in the first three quarters of the year and generated the second-highest growth rate. Moreover, the market share was extended to 12.2 percent.

December 3, 2013

Bosnia: NPLs Increasing Dramatically

Almost 15 percent of the total volume of loans in Bosnia are bad.

December 2, 2013

Serbia: Inflation Rate at Lowest Level in a Decade

The Western Balkan country is expected to reach the lowest inflation rate in ten years.

November 25, 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

Western Balkans Struggling with NPL

The high percentage of non-performing loans in the Western Balkan region is affecting the financial stability of the region’s countries.

November 11, 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

Serbia: Only Minor Growth Expected

In 2014 the Western Balkan state is expected to achieve only an insignificant economic growth rate.

November 6, 2013

Serbia: FDI as Driver for Economy

Further decline in FDI could affect economic growth in the Western Balkan state. The Serbian government announced to push forward with amendmends to improve business environment and boost economic growth.

November 4, 2013

Boost for Municipal Infrastructure in the Western Balkans

EBRD and KfW launch new €100 million fund

November 4, 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

World Bank: Croatia Showing Progress

Despite notable progress the country slipped back to beigt 89th out of 185 countries in the ranking “Doing Business” by the World Bank.

October 31, 2013

Greek Banks Want to Leave Western Balkans

According to “Kathimerini”, the exit of Greek banks froms the Western Balkan region is a difficult undertaking.

October 29, 2013

Serbia: Privredna Banka to Face Bankruptcy Proceedings

National Bank of Serbia annuls the operating license from Privredna banka. Bankruptcy proceedings are ahead.

October 29, 2013

Albania Fighting NPLs

The Bank of Albania discusses introducing a policy for reducing non-performing loans and enhance lending.

October 28, 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

“We Need to Pull Down the Iron Curtain in Our Heads“

In an interview with Austrian daily “WirtschaftsBlatt“ Johannes Seiringer, Director of the Austrian office of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) calls for incentives for enterprises to continue investing in CEE.

October 24, 2013

Serbia Wants to Become Full EU Member Asap

The Western Balkan is serious in building a relationship with the European Union.

October 23, 2013

Uniqa to Aquire Western Balkan Insurance Companies

Listed insurance company Uniqa will take over Croatian and Serbian affiliates of Swiss insurance group Baloise (Basler) to strengthen its market position in the Western Balkan states.

October 22, 2013

Hypo Group Reigned by Greed and Criminal Activities

In an interview with Austrian daily “Standard“ forensic expert of nationlized Hypo Group Christian Böhler revealed that former managers of the bank enriched themselves personally.

October 21, 2013

Bulgaria Supports Trans Adriatic Pipeline

During yesterday’s world media meeting, on behalf of his country Bulgarian President Rosen Plevniev expressed his support of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline project (TAP).

October 16, 2013
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