Promoting regional economic cooperation has been the goal of Vienna Economic Forum since its foundation in 2004, and we are proud that the economic cooperation between entrepreneurs from the member countries of Vienna Economic Forum - Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, Türkiye and Ukraine - has developed successfully over all these years.
Among the founding members of Vienna Economic Forum are some of the most renowned Austrian companies and industrialists. The prime ministers of the states of the VEF region, defined as "The region from the Adriatic to the Black Sea", form the Patronage Committee of Vienna Economic Forum. All accredited ambassadors of the VEF- Member countries in Austria take part in the VEF- activities as Members of the Ambassadors Committee. The organs of Vienna Economic Forum also include various Committees, with special support being provided by the members of the VEF Honorary Committee , well-known personalities and visionaries.
Vienna Economic Forum (VEF), which was granted the status of an International Non-governmental Organization primarily on 7 January 2011 and then again on 1 January 2022, is constantly growing and developing. On 27 July 2012, VEF was granted Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC). Since 2015, Vienna Economic Forum has been entered in the Transparency Register of the European Parliament and the European Commission. VEF has received the right to wave the VEF flag from the Austrian authorities.
These recognitions, which VEF has received for all the long-standing activities in the region and for the exceptional contribution to international understanding, motivate the VEF team to continue and tirelessly contribute to the consolidation of the VEF region "From the Adriatic to the Black Sea".
In all these years, Vienna Economic has remained true to its founding goals:
• To popularize and promote investment opportunities in the region from the Adriatic to the Black Sea.
• To provide impulses and, based on research, the joint projects required in the region for short-term, medium-term and long-term realisation, and promoting their implementation.
• Becoming a place of definition, encounter, and of realising the public and private interests in connection with the various projects in the region as part of a united Europe.
These goals incorporate the vision that led to the creation of the VEF in 2004: to follow a strategy that contributes to economic cooperation and development of the VEF member countries as a region that is growing together, a “VEF economic area”!
The implementation of this strategy is always in focus and determines the planning and execution of all the work of the Vienna Economic Forum team over the years!
Working visit of Mr. Hubert Cottogni, Head of EIB Group Office in Austria, and Ms. Kristina Kirilova, MBA, Office Manager of the Group Office in Austria at Vienna Economic Forum (VEF)
On March 19, 2024, the Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, received Mr. Hubert Cottogni, Head of the EIB Group Office in Austria, and Ms. Kristina Kirilova, MBA, Office Manager of the EIB Group Office in Austria, at the premises of Vienna Economic Forum.
The conversation proceeded in a very friendly atmosphere and focused on the possibilities for an even more active cooperation between Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) and the European Investment Bank Group (EIBG), particularly with the EIB representation in Vienna.
Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva emphasized the collaboration and support of the European Investment Bank Group (EIBG) for the upcoming Vienna Economic Forum – Sofia Meeting 2024, scheduled for April 21/22, 2024, in Sofia, and expressed gratitude for the active participation of senior representatives of the EIBG in the program.
Vienna Economic Forum is looking forward to the promising opportunities to continue contributing to regional cooperation and the important cause of intercultural understanding, in close collaboration with the EIBG.
Regular Board Meeting and Annual General Assembly of Vienna Economic Forum on February 19, 2024, at the Diplomatic Academy Vienna
SOCIETY/Sora
The regular board meeting, followed by the annual general assembly of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) in 2024, took place on February 19 at the Diplomatic Academy (DA) Vienna.
The host, Ambassador Dr. Emil Brix, Director of the Diplomatic Academy (DA) Vienna and Board Member of VEF, welcomed the participients in the Bruno Kreisky Hall.
Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, Secretary General of VEF, reported on the VEF activities over the past year, highlighting the successful and intensive development of VEF step by step over its 20-year history.
Vienna Economic Forum is proud to have jointly organized Vienna Economic Talks - Prishtina Meeting 2023 with the Government of the Republic of Kosovo on May 8, 2023, in Prishtina, under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo and Patron of Vienna Economic Forum, H.E. Mr. Albin Kurti.
The high-level participants, representing regional and European politics and economics, significantly contributed to the great success of the event. The lively debates focused on the exciting topic: "Regional Cooperation in a Fragmented Environment", discussing Kosovo's economic resilience and development through cooperation.
On June 16, 2023, the 22nd Traditional Garden Party of Vienna Economic Forum took place in the Paradise Garden of Villa Flora under the hosting of KR Prof. Gertrud Tauchhammer, Publisher of Society Magazine, a long-standing VEF media partner, and VEF Honorary Member.
Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva emphasized the great success of the 20th Jubilee Vienna Economic Forum - Vienna Future Dialogue 2023, held on November 13, 2023, under the motto "Continuing to Build Economic Bridges During Difficult Times" in the Festsaal of the Vienna City Hall, with high-ranking decision-makers from business and politics from 41 countries.
Secretary General reiterated the vision of Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) founding fathers from 2004 to support active economic cooperation in the region "From the Adriatic to the Black Sea" and to promote the development of common activities according to the motto "Economy Meets Politics". She thanked the City of Vienna and especially the Mayor of Vienna, Dr. Michael Ludwig, for the wonderful opportunity to hold the 20th Jubilee Vienna Economic Forum in the impressive Festsaal of the Vienna City Hall.
In addition, Secretary General Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva expressed her heartfelt thanks to all members, partners, and friends of Vienna Economic Forum for their great trust and constant support, which continues to motivate the VEF team to expand its horizons to achieve new great goals.
A special heartfelt thank you was expressed by the Secretary General, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, to the VEF President in 2023, Ambassador Victor Jackovich. She emphasized that with his extensive knowledge in diplomacy, politics, and economics, he made a significant contribution to the continued positive development of VEF in 2023 and enabled the further achievement high goals of Vienna Economic Forum. VEF is looking forward to further active collaboration with Ambassador Victor Jackovich as an honorary member of the Vienna Economic Forum.
According to the statutes, Mag. Peter Höfinger, Vice President of the Vienna Economic Forum, led the agenda. The appointment of the new president and new members was proposed by the board and confirmed by the general assembly.
For new President of Vienna Economic Forum was elected:
1. Ambassador Dr. Emil Brix, Director, Diplomatische Akademie Wien -Vienna School of International Studies , Member of the Board of Vienna Economic Forum.
New board members were elected:
1. Mag. Mila Nenova, as a representative of the Ordinary Member - Cooperation Partner InvestBulgaria Agency (IBA)
2. Eng. Kalin Peshov, MBA, as a representative of the Ordinary Member - Cooperation Partner Glavbolgarstroy Holding AD (GBS Holding)
New cooperation partner members were elected:
1. InvestBulgaria Agency (IBA)
2. Glavbolgarstroy Holding AD (GBS Holding)
New legal entity members were elected:
1. MADIS Consulting Kft.
2. Zero Waste Ltd.
3. JAF Bulgaria Ltd.
The following natural persons were elected as members:
1. Mr. Zlatko Kolevski
2. Ambassador Dr. Emil Brix
As a new member of the Patronage Committee were elected:
1. H.E. Mr. Siniša Bencun, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina
As Members of the Honorary Commmittee of Vienna Economic Forum were elected:
1. Ambassador Victor Jackovich, President of Vienna Economic Forum in 2023, President, Jackovich International LLC, USA.
2. Dr. Lilyana Pavlova - Former Minister of Regional Development and Public Works of Bulgaria (2014–2017), Former Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU (2017–2018), Former Vice President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) (2019–2023)
3. Ms. Boriana Jossifova - Renowned journalist, long-time supporter of Vienna Economic Forum
After the election and appointment of new members, Mag. Peter Höfinger, Vice President of the Vienna Economic Forum, handed over the floor to the newly elected VEF President Ambassador Dr. Emil Brix, Director, Diplomatic Academy (DA) Vienna, who thanked everyone for their trust and expressed his willingness to strongly support the further development of VEF.
After the last item on the agenda, the general assembly concluded at 6 p.m.
The event was followed by further discussions on developing new opportunities for closer cooperation and ended in a festive atmosphere.
Vienna Economic Forum (VEF) is pleased to congratulate Mag. Stefan Krenn, LL.M., as a new Board Member of VEF cooperation partner Novomatic AG!
The Secretary General of Vienna Economic Forum, Ambassador Dr. Elena Kirtcheva, took the opportunity during the regular board meeting and annual general assembly of Vienna Economic Forum on February 19, 2024, at the Diplomatic Academy Vienna, to extend good wishes to Mag. Stefan Krenn, LL.M., for his new responsible position and to wish him further success.
VEF and Novomatic AG share a long-standing excellent cooperation. CEO Dipl.-Ing. Ryszard Presch has been elected as VEF Vice President representing Novomatic AG.
Vienna Economic Forum wishes significant success and continued global recognition to the entire extended board of Novomatic AG, its cooperation partner!
Please find the press release here.
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