VEF is pleased to share an Article about the 24th Traditional Garden Party of Vienna Economic Forum by Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), the largest and oldest news agency of Bulgaria, headquartered in the capital Sofia.

LEAGUE OF UNIVERSITIES FROM THE REGION OF THE VIENNA ECONOMIC FORUM – FROM THE ADRIATIC TO THE BLACK SEA TO BE ESTABLISHED, WITH BULGARIA AS A MEMBER COUNTRY
by Yoana Krasteva
18 June 2025 | 17:01 | (BTA)

The establishment of the League of Universities from the Region of the Vienna Economic Forum – From the Adriatic to the Black Sea, of which Bulgaria is a Member Country, was officially announced by Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF), Ambassador a.D. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, during the Opening of the 24th Traditional Garden Party in Vienna, as reported by Sanus et Salvus, the platform for health and culture of the Bulgarian community in Austria.

The 24th Traditional Garden Party of Vienna Economic Forum took place on 13 June 2025 in the garden of the renowned “Villa Flora” in the Austrian capital, under the Motto:
“A Culinary and Musical Journey through the Member Countries of Vienna Economic Forum.”

This beloved summer event, which has become a tradition for the Opening of the summer season, was once again organised by Secretary General of VEF, Ambassador a.D. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, together with the Ambassadors in Vienna of the Forum’s Member Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, Türkiye and Ukraine.

At the Opening of the evening, Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador a.D. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, officially announced the creation of the
League of Universities from the Region of the Vienna Economic Forum – From the Adriatic to the Black Sea.

“Since its very foundation, Vienna Economic Forum – under the Motto ‘Economy Meets Politics’ – has strived to contribute to the consolidation of our region in as many spheres of public life in the Member Countries as possible,” stated Dr. Kirtcheva.

The founding act of the League of Universities from the Region of the Vienna Economic Forum – From the Adriatic to the Black Sea has initially been signed by six higher education institutions from the VEF region, with which Vienna Economic Forum has already concluded a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation. These are:

  • Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

  • University of National and World Economy, Sofia

  • University of Pristina, Kosovo

  • Moldova State University, Chișinău

  • Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia

  • Bled School of Management, Slovenia

Further participation of other universities remains open, and Vienna Economic Forum is already conducting the respective discussions, underlined Secretary General Dr. Elena Kirtcheva.

As every year, the Embassies of the Member Countries once again spared no effort in presenting their national culinary specialities and musical preferences to the guests.

The evening was accompanied by a cultural and musical programme, which added a special highlight to the event.

The very first Garden Party of this format was held in 2002 in the garden of the residence of the then Ambassador of Bulgaria, Dr. Elena Kirtcheva.

Photo credit: Diplomatic Society / Pobaschnig / Karakan