On 30 September 2026, the Secretary General and Founder of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF), Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, spoke in an extensive interview with Polina Pencheva of Darik Business Review, Strategic Partner of Vienna Economic Forum, about the development of VEF over more than two decades, as well as the current economic challenges and opportunities in the VEF Region – From the Adriatic to the Black Sea and Beyond.

At the centre of the conversation was the importance of a more closely interconnected regional economy. Ambassador Dr. Kirtcheva emphasised that investments today cannot be considered in isolation within individual national markets. Economic and infrastructural connectivity, access to larger markets and strengthened regional cooperation are increasingly decisive factors.

“No investor goes to an island. It is the Region that attracts investors,” Ambassador Dr. Kirtcheva emphasised.

The interview also highlighted the development of the role of Vienna Economic Forum since its foundation in 2004. While the promotion of investments and the economic opening of the Region were particularly important in the early years, the focus today is increasingly on the consolidation of the regional economy as an immanent part of the European and global economy, as well as on strengthening its long-term competitiveness.

Another key focus of the interview was human capital as a decisive resource for the future economic development of the Region. In this context, Ambassador Dr. Kirtcheva referred to the VEF League of Universities from the Region of Vienna Economic Forum – From the Adriatic to the Black Sea, established in 2025, through which universities and academic institutions are increasingly involved in the dialogue on the economic future of the Region.

Looking ahead to the forthcoming 23rd Vienna Economic Forum – Vienna Future Dialogue 2026, taking place in Vienna on 15 and 16 November 2026 under the Patronage of H.E. Dr. Christian Stocker, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria and Patron of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Kirtcheva also provided an outlook on this year’s key topics.

A particular focus will be placed on Montenegro, Country Partner of the Year 2026. The I. Session, “Montenegro in Focus: 20 Years of Independence – Montenegro’s Path to Economic Growth and European Integration”, will address Montenegro’s economic development, its path towards European integration and the perspectives for strengthened regional economic cooperation.

Under the overarching Motto “Common Vision for a Common Future – Strategic Challenges in Focus”, the 23rd Vienna Economic Forum will bring together high-ranking representatives of politics and economy to discuss current strategic challenges and perspectives for longstanding economic cooperation in the VEF Region – From the Adriatic to the Black Sea and Beyond.

To conclude, Ambassador Dr. Kirtcheva recalled a thought by Henry Ford that has accompanied the philosophy of Vienna Economic Forum for many years:

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.”

The full interview with Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva by Darik Business Review can be viewed on the Darik Radio Webiste and the video directly below.