The Erhard Busek Ambassador Talks: Ability to act in turbulent times – how do we keep the EU on track?
Date/Time
June 10, 2024
18:00 - 19:30 CEST/CET
The Erhard Busek Ambassador Talks
Fostering transnational and cross-cultural discussion as well as bringing people with diverse backgrounds together was one of the life-long missions of IDM’s late chairman Dr. Erhard Busek.
To honour his work and memory, the IDM is launching the event series “The Erhard Busek Ambassador Talks”, which will give a broad audience the chance to learn from and engage in conversation with ambassadors from countries in the Danube Region and Central Europe.
H.E. Vito Cecere
Ambassador of the Republic of Germany in Austria
H.E. Aleksander Geržina
Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia in Austria
Seminar room, Institut für den Donauraum und Mitteleuropa (Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe),
Hahngasse 6/Mezzannin,
1090 Wien/Vienna
For registration, scroll below.
Programme
Welcome
Friedrich Faulhammer
Chairman of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe
Rector of the University for Continuing Education Krems
Discussion
H.E. Vito Cecere
Ambassador of the Republic of Germany in Austria
H.E. Aleksander Geržina
Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia in Austria
Moderation
Sebastian Schäffer
Director of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe
The Russian aggression, energy crisis and war in Gaza – a repeated stress test for the EU’s ability to act. How can the EU remain a recognized international player in these turbulent times? This question will become especially pertinent once another six plus three countries have joined the EU – all bringing their different interests and perspectives to the table. Not to mention what will happen if more populist parties gain power, for whom EU cohesion and solidarity mean nothing. Which reforms of the decision-making processes and institutions are possible or even feasible? What lessons can we draw from the largest enlargement in EU history 20 years ago? Slovenia and Germany have launched an initiative within the EU to make the enlargement process more efficient and dynamic by exploring selective use of a qualified majority. Can this serve as a blueprint for the enlargement and internal reform process initiated in Granada in October last year?
You are cordially invited to a reception after the discussion.
Vito Cecere has been the German Ambassador to Austria since August 2023. Before that, he was Special Representative for Foreign Science Policy, Foreign Education and Research Policy in the German Foreign Office since 2007. Previously, he held positions in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs as well as in the SPD fraction of the German Bundestag. Ambassador Cecere is married and has two children.
Aleksander Geržina has been the Slovenian ambassador to Austria since June 2021 (for the second time, the first time from 2009-2013). In his more than 30-year diplomatic career, he has held various positions including the Deputy Head of Minister’s Cabinet, Deputy Head of the NATO Mission, PSC Representative, Head of Task Force for the Slovenian OSCE Presidency, Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organisations in Vienna, Director-General for the EU and bilateral affairs, Deputy Political Director, Spokesman of the Foreign Minister. He is married and has a son.
Register for the Zoom-Webinar
Register for participation at the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe:
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