(* 25. März 1941 in Wien; † 13. März 2022)
We are all stunned that our dear friend, founding father and Honorary President of Vienna Economic Forum, former Vice Chancellor Dr. Erhard Busek was torn from our midst last night – a few days before his 81st birthday.
With the loss of Dr. Busek Austria loses a great European and a visionary statesman. Committed to European issues to the end, he acted as a political driving force and as a critical thinker. With his work, he shaped both the People’s Party and all of Austria. His exceptional political commitment is respected far beyond Austria’s borders, and it was his tireless commitment to democracy and the European path of the VEF member countries in Eastern and Southeastern Europe that made him one of the co-founders and a loyal companion of Vienna Economic Forum.
Dr. Busek was the federal party Chairman of the ÖVP from 1991 to 1995. From 1991 to 1995 he was also Vice-Chancellor in the grand coalition with the SPÖ and at the same time Federal Minister for Science and Research, from 1994 Minister for Education. From 1995 he was Chairman of the Managing Board of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe, from 2005 to 2016 President of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) and since 2017 VEF Honorary President.
Vienna Economic Forum will always hold him in fond memories as a great personality. We are all grateful for the many years of cooperation, for the great passion he brought to his political work and for the time we were able to spend with him.
We will miss Dr. Busek as a highly valued companion and a real friend who always stood by his convictions and ideals and was therefore a role model for all of us.
Our thoughts and sympathy go out to his family at this difficult time.
On behalf of all Members of Vienna Economic Forum.
Vienna, 14th March 2022