Working Visit of Representatives of Via Expo Ltd.
Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva was pleased to welcome Via Expo Ltd., Organizer of International Specialized Exhibitions, Bulgaria, Ms. Maya Kristeva and Ms. Desislava Ivanova in the premises of Vienna Economic Forum.
Topics were the good cooperation in the frame of the 8th Vienna Economic Forum, and further steps for the year 2012 were discussed.
Cercle Diplomatique - Anniversary Reception
Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva cordially congratulates Cercle Diplomatique, the leading Austrian Magazine for Diplomats and International Organisations, to its 40th anniversary. On this occasion, Consul Prof. Waltraud Steinböck, media partner of Vienna Economic forum, hosted a reception at the elegant Hôtel de France, where numerous high ranking guest also celebrated her 15th anniversary as editor of Cercle Diplomatique.
Albanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Working visit of President Dr. Nikolin Jaka at Vienna Economic Forum
Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva was pleased to welcome the President of the Albanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Nikolin Jaka, and the Chamber’s Representative in Vienna, Aselita Köstinger, for a work meeting in the premises of Vienna Economic Forum.
They used the occasion of the working visit to discuss the cooperation with Vienna Economic Forum and the future steps to deepen this cooperation. They talked about Albania’s positive economic development and the organization of “Vienna Economic Talks - Meet Albania in Vienna” in the year 2012.
Ambassador of Azerbaijan on working visit at Vienna Economic Forum
Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva was pleased to welcome Ambassador H.E. Galib Israfilov and Counsellor Shamil Alekserov from the Azerbaijan Embassy in the premises of Vienna Economic Forum.
On the occasion of the working visit they discussed the economic preconditions and investment possibilities in the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as a possible future cooperation with Vienna Economic Forum.
Governeur of Gagausia on working visit at Vienna Economic Forum
Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva was pleased to welcome Governeur Michael Macar Formuzal with a delegation from Gagausia, the autonomous area and part of Moldawia, in the premises of Vienna Economic Forum.
On the occasion of the working visit they discussed the economic preconditions and investment possibilities in the autonomous area of Gagausia as well as a possible future cooperation with Vienna Economic Forum.
Memorandum of Understanding with ShortMessageClip
Vienna Economic Forum is pleased to welcome, ShortMessageClip as a new partner.
President Dr. Erhard Busek and Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the CEO of ShortMessageClip, Mag. Kurt Schranz. the expertise of both organisations will comply and enlarge their relations and networks.
Dr. Günther Ofner member of the Management Board of Flughafen Wien AG
Dr. Günther Ofner, partner of Vienna Economic Forum for years and then representative of our cooperation partner EVN AG, has been appointed member of the Management Board and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), in charge of finance, real estate and site development, advertising space and parking, construction of the Skylink and strategy, personnel, communications and the general secretariat. As a member of the Management Board and Chief Operating Officer (COO), Julian Jäger is responsible for aviation and handling, centre management-retail & gastronomy as well as information systems, environmental management, internal audit and international investments.
Vienna Economic Forum is proud that Flughafen Wien AG has been our cooperation partner in the recent years and we are looking forward to our further cooperation.
Vienna Economic Forum supports Albanian Children Foundation
Dr. Erhard Busek, President of Vienna Economic Forum and Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva were pleased to welcome Ms. Liri Berisha, President of the Albanian Children Foundation “Domenick Scaglione” in Vienna. Following the idea of Mag. Heinz Messinger, Director of AME International GmbH, Member of Vienna Economic Forum, and the invitation of Vienna Economic Forum, the visit was aimed at presenting before Austrian businesses, members and partners of Vienna Economic Forum, the Foundation's work and to discuss with them the possibilities of cooperation and support to help children with various problems. Ms. Berisha met representatives of companies Uniqa Group Austria, Wolf Theiss, EVN AG, Vienna Insurance Group and AME International GmbH.
Ms. Liri Berisha said she is happy to initiatives and activities such as the Vienna Economic Forum, which, besides supporting and increasing opportunities for economic cooperation, and are actually an opportunity for rapprochement with each other, alignment of ideas and advance together towards the development . Also, she appreciates the fact that Vienna Economic Forum is committed not only to promote and support investment and economic cooperation in the region, businesses, but also serves as a social bridge between nations.
President Dr. Busek praised the engagement of President Ms. Berisha of the Albanian Children Foundation and expressed his support for partners of Vienna Economic Forum on the activities and future projects of the Foundation. Following the visit, Liri Berisha held a meeting with company executives of Uniqa Group Austria and the directors of EVN AG. Also, a reception was organized by representatives of Vienna Insurance Group. During his visit to Vienna, Liri Berisha visited the General Hospital of Vienna, St. Anna Children's Hospital and various centers for children.
Memorandum of Understanding with IBDE
Vienna Economic Forum is pleased to welcome International Business and Diplomatic Exchange (IBDE) as new partner.
President Dr. Erhard Busek and Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mr. Rudi Gurazio, CEO of International Business and Diplomatic Exchange (IBDE). The expertise and synergies of both non-profit organisations will enlarge the networks of both organisations.
Honoration for President Dr. Erhard Busek
Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic gave the highest state award of the SR-Series 2 Class White Double Cross for extraordinary contributions to the development of the relationship between the Slovak Republic and Austria, and spreading the good name of the Slovak Republic abroad.
In his speech the President highlighted the efforts of the Slovaks for recognition as a minority in Austria as well as winner of the participation of two Slovak World Congress, which said the promotion of culture among peoples. "Our nations are living side by side for more than a millennium, but can not say unequivocally that he understood in all areas. Therefore, it is your merit, that relations between nations improves", he said.
He appreciated the efforts of long-Erhard Busek the desire to continue our relationship is still improving. laureate Busek in his speech thanked for giving a high state award. Recalling the story of getting to know Slovakia by his parents because he has loved Slovakia, which in his words and his compatriots do not always have sufficient and objective information. "I sincerely wish Slovakia to continue to flourish. You have done creditable piece of work. Few believed you, but you did it", said Busek.At the end of his speech Slovakia wished good luck and positive future.
Erhard Busek already in the 80 between Bratislava and attended one of the few Western politicians maintained intensive contacts with Slovak. On his initiative was in 1982, based in Vienna, Austria-Slovak cultural society. It was in recognition of the birth of a minority of Slovaks in Austria - mediate important contacts with influential personalities of the political and intellectual life has contributed to its official recognition in 1992. As one of the first Austrian politicians spoke during an event in November 1989 on the SNP Square in Bratislava. Intensive support democratic development in Slovakia. relations with the Slovak government is engaged in the office during many years of working in government. Still be given to them as well as a representative of major non-governmental organizations, where forum invites Slovaks themselves or to make an informed audience, conveys information about the Austrian political and economic developments in the Slovak Republic. Dr. Busek produces publications dedicated to the development of the SR, thereby contributing to the spread of extraordinary reputation of the Slovak Republic abroad.
Turkish Delegation - Working Visit at Vienna Economic Forum
Turkish Economy Delegation accompanying H.E. President Abdullah Gül during his official visit in Austria, for a working visit at Vienna Economic Forum
On 2 Mai 2011 the official visit of the President of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. President Abdullah Gül in Austria began.
He was accompanied by a delegation of 60 persons, who during their intensive program visited also Vienna Economic Forum for a working visit, following the invitation of Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva.
The visit was initiated by the partner of Vienna Economic Forum – the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board - DEIK, on 3 Mai 2011 in the premises of Vienna Economic Forum, and in a friendly atmosphere, with musical surprises in the frame of a cocktail reception, the members of the high-level Turkish delegation met Austrian companies, members of Vienna Economic Forum.
Former Vice Chancellor Dr. Erhard Busek, President of Vienna Economic Forum, Dkfm. Karl Fink, President of the Supervisory Board of Vienna Insurance Group and Vice-President of VEF, Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva were pleased to welcome Mr. Rona Yirkali, Chairman of DEIK, Mr. F. Şadi Gücüm, Member of the Board of Çukurova Holding A.Ş. and Chairman of the Turkish-Austrian Business Council of DEIK, Mr. Cafer Okray, Chairman of UDAS, Mr. Nurlu Esemenli, Vice-Chairman of Turkish-Austrian Business Council and further guests.
Dkfm. Karl Fink, President of the Supervisory Board of Vienna Insurance Group and Vize-President of VEF, gave an overview of VIG in Turkey and former Vice Minister Mag. Josef Mayer talked about the Turkish-Austrian economic relations.
Members of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum Dr. Karl Stoss, CEO of Casinos Austria AG and Österreichische Lotterien GmbH, Dr. Horst Ebhard, Managing Partner of Wolf Theiss and Dr. Willibald Plesser, Managing Partner of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, and further members of Vienna Economic Forum as Erste Group Bank AG, EVN AG, Raiffeisen Bank International AG, AME International, Lansky Ganzger Partner, Bären Batterie and many interested representatives met with the representatives of Ankara Chamber of Commerce, İstanbul Chamber of Commerce, Istanbul Chamber of Industry, Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Turkish-Austrian Business Council, International Transporters' Association of Turkey, Schönherr Turkey, Messe Frankfurt/Istanbul, İstanbul Aydın Üniversites.
Deeper talks were held in preparation of the planned Vienna Economic Talks - Meet Istanbul in Vienna Meeting in 2012 in Vienna. The reception led to an intensive exchange of the representatives and Vienna Economic Forum thanks for the high interest from both Turkish and Austrian side.
Memorandum of Understanding between Vienna Economic Forum and Union of Black Sea and Caspian Confederation of Enterprises (UBCCE)
On the occasion of the 14th Eurasian Economic Summit on 12-15 April 2011 in Istanbul, organized by Marmara Foundation, cooperation partner of Vienna Economic Forum, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Vienna Economic Forum, represented by President Dr. Erhard Busek and Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, and Union of Black Sea and Caspian Confederation of Enterprises (UBCCE), represented by Secretary General Mr. Murat Zongur.
UBCCE has been Media Partner of Vienna Economic Forum for several time, and UBCCE is the first independent and voluntary business organization of the Black Sea and Caspian Region
Further information is available on: http://www.ubcce.org/
Activities of H. Stepic CEE Charity
Founded in 2006 by Herbert Stepic, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International, Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum, the H. Stepic CEE Charity Foundation was created to provide help to children, adolescents and young women in less advantaged regions in CEE.
Currently there are projects in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the Republik of Moldova, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine.
One project was developed in Albania, where the H. Stepic CEE Charity and its project partner Caritas are converting a former health care centre into a day care centre for disabled people.
The centre, which was built with the generous support provided by Mr. Julius Eberhardt (Palais Fanto), the H. Stepic CEE Charity's project partner, is located in Arameras, a town about 20 km away from Tirana. The Archbishop of Tirana provided the property for the centre. The building is being adapted and renewed according to the special needs disabled people have. Caritas will provide the professional administration of the centre, which will offer a new home to 35 young people with mental disabilities. They are between 8 and 25 years old. Partnered professional organisations will assume care for those residents who move out on reaching the age of 25.
There is a massive need for institutions for disabled persons in Albania. Some 80 per cent of this population has never attended a school and there are few public institutions for them.
Fotos and further information you will find on the website of H. Stepic CEE Charity (http://www.stepicceecharity.org)
Vienna Economic Forum - New legal privileges as acknowledgement
President Dr. Erhard Busek and Secretary General Amb. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva are proud that Vienna Economic Forum has received the status of an international non-governmental organization already at the beginning of this year according to the NGO law, BGBI. Nr. 174/1992.
Now, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria, Federal Law Gazette No. 218/1975/ 24.2.2011 and § 1 Abs. 4 of the law on employing foreigners – AuslBG, BGBl. Nr. 218/1975, BGBl. I Nr. 135/2009, it was decided that Vienna Economic Forum will be in a position to employ foreigners in the forum.
Vienna Economic Forum - International Non-Governmental Organization
We are proud to announce that the Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria as Authority according to § 1 of the Federal Law on the Grant of Privileges to non-governmental international organizations, BGBl. Nr. 174/1992, BMeiA-N9.8.19.12/0036-1.2/2010 has decided that Vienna Economic Forum has received the status
INTERNATIONAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
by the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs, as a recognition for our years of activities in the region above all of South-Eastern Europe.
Ernennung von VEF Vorstandsmitgliedern als Honorarkonsule
Präsident Dr. Erhard Busek und Generalsekretärin Botschafterin a.D. Dr. Elena Kirtcheva sind stolz, Herrn Dr. Friedhelm Boschert, CEO Volksbank International AG, Mitglied des Vorstandes des Vienna Economic Forum, als Honorarkonsul von Bosnien und Herzegovina mit Konsularbezirk Wien und Niederösterreich zu begrüßen und Herrn Dr. Burkhard Hofer, Aufsichtsrat der EVN AG, Ehrenmitglied des Vienna Economic Forum, als Honorarkonsul von Albanien mit Konsularbezirk Niederösterreich zu begrüßen.
Vienna Economic Forum freut sich über die intensiven Kontakte in der Region Südosteuropa, die zur Verstärkung des wirtschaftlichen Austausches beitragen.
