Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva, Dean of the Faculty of International Economics and Politics, University of National and World Economy, Sofia, at a Working Meeting at Vienna Economic Forum (VEF)

On 17 April 2025, Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF), Ambassador a.D. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, had the pleasure of welcoming Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva, Dean of the Faculty of International Economics and Politics at the University of National and World Economy, a Strategic Partner of Vienna Economic Forum, to the premises of Vienna Economic Forum.

In the framework of the meeting, the Secretary General underlined the crucial importance of higher education for sustainable economic development, as well as the irreplaceable visionary role of science in strengthening the intellectual potential of the VEF region.

In line with this conviction, Vienna Economic Forum has, for many years, continuously expanded its contacts with leading universities from the VEF- Region “From the Adriatic to the Black Sea.” This is reflected in signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with renowned academic institutions such as: IEDC–Bled School of Management (Slovenia), Diplomatische Akademie Wien – Vienna School of International Studies, University of Prishtina, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, University of National and World Economy – Sofia, New Bulgarian University – Sofia, IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems, and Titu Maiorescu University – Bucharest.

The Secretary General underlined to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Svetla Boneva the high appreciation of Vienna Economic Forum for the willingness of the Rector of the University of National and World Economy, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, to actively cooperate with Vienna Economic Forum in the realization of the initiative “League of Universities of the VEF Member Countries.”

In an exceptionally cordial atmosphere, thoughts were also exchanged regarding the upcoming Vienna Economic Forum – Chișinău Meeting 2025, taking place on 19 May 2025 in the Republic of Moldova. Particular attention was paid to the potential involvement of Moldova State University from Chișinău in the concept of establishing a “League of Universities of the VEF Member Countries,” for which VEF will take the initiative.

Vienna Economic Forum considers active cooperation with universities in the VEF region to be an essential part of its mission and looks forward to the further concrete realization of the idea to establish the “League of Universities of the VEF Member Countries.”