Meeting of the friends between the Adriatic and the Black Sea
"at the beginning was the garden party"
On Friday, June 18, 2004, a cultural garden party titled “Meeting of the Friends between the Adriatic and the Black Sea” was held at the residence of the Bulgarian Ambassador in Vienna. Initiated in 2002 by the ambassadors of ten countries from the region, the event quickly became a valued tradition promoting friendship and regional cooperation.
Organized in 2004 by Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, the gathering brought together diplomats and representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, Turkey, and North Macedonia. Among the distinguished guests were the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Austria Dr. Andreas Kohl (3rd on the right), the State Secretary Prof. Dr. Reinhart Wancek (2nd on the left).
In a festive atmosphere featuring traditional music, dance, and regional cuisine, the event celebrated the cultural diversity of the Adriatic–Black Sea region. It later expanded into an economic initiative, paving the way for the establishment of Vienna Economic Forum on November 8, 2004.