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Western Balkans
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
Hypo Group: Shady Deals with Balkan Diplomats
The Austrian problem bank Hypo Group has troubles recovering debts.
May 3, 2014
New Serbian Government Wants Speedy EU Accession
The new Serbian government is determined to accelerate the EU accession progress.
May 2, 2014
Slovenia: List of Debtors of NLB Published
The Slovenian bad bank BAMC (Bank Asset Management Company) has published the list of debtors of the country’s two largest banks, which are responsible for the disaster of the state-controlled banks.
April 23, 2014
Hypo Group: Italian Branch Turns Out a Huge Problem
According to CEO Picker there were more “skeletons in the closet than expected” which led to huge losses for the ailing bank. The Italian network may have to be downsized.
April 17, 2014
Hypo Group: Privatization of Balkan Business Until 2015
The nationalized problem bank intends to sell its Balkan business within 2014.
April 17, 2014
Erste Group Bank AG: Full Year 2013 Company Report has been Published by FriedlResearch
Published in April 2014, this report contains in depth information and data about Erste Group and its operations and markets. It contains a company overview, business and strategy description, financial ratios, valuation & forecasts, plus a SWOT analysis.
April 15, 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
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
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