On Monday, 7 July 2025, Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, welcomed Mr. Patrick Lobis, Representative of the European Commission in Austria, for a working meeting at the premises of Vienna Economic Forum.

The open and constructive exchange focused on the preparations for the 22nd Vienna Economic Forum – Vienna Future Dialogue 2025, which will be organised by Vienna Economic Forum and Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) on 17 November 2025 at the Headquarters of RBI.

Vienna Economic Forum looks back on a long-standing and very good cooperation with the Representation of the European Commission and has had the honour to welcome numerous high-level representatives as well as EU Commissioners as speakers at various events.

Another key topic of the meeting was the potential cooperation between Vienna Economic Forum and the Representation of the European Commission in Austria in connection with the recently announced League of Universities from the Region of the Vienna Economic Forum – From the Adriatic to the Black Sea,an initiative under the patronage of Vienna Economic Forum.

Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva informed about the ongoing activities and strategic objectives of Vienna Economic Forum, with particular emphasis on the initiative for the transformation of Vienna Economic Forum into an International Organisation (IO) with Headquarters in Vienna. In this context, she underlined the importance of close cooperation with the European institutions.

Both sides emphasised the importance of intensified regional dialogue and the role of platforms such as Vienna Economic Forum in promoting stability, economic development and rapprochement with the European Union.

The meeting took place in a very positive atmosphere and provided a valuable basis for future cooperation between Vienna Economic Forum and the Representation of the European Commission in Austria.