Guest speech of the Ambassador of the Austria; H.E Dr. Wolfgang Petritsch

At the occasion of the Austria’s EU presidency (first semester 2006), the IMC Export Department (under the auspices of Chair for Intl. Law and Global Political Studies) invited the Austrian Ambassador accredited to the WTO and other Geneva-based IGOs for a guest lecture. H.E. Amb. Dr. Wolfgang Petritsch paid a visit to the IMC and delivered a lecture on 12th October, followed by nearly two hour talks with students and small reception.

The IMC fellow professors and students had the great opportunity to gain an insights on the WTO negotiations state of affairs in the WTO, status of Doha Development Round, Austria’s role during the presidency, art of multilateral diplomacy as well as to hear thoughtful and inspiring answers on series of their questions (including the complexities of multilateral negotiations of major trading blocks (US and EU), linking trade and development, etc.).

Extraordinarily eloquent, senior career diplomat, Dr. Petritsch joined the Foreign Ministry over twenty years ago. Serving at different posts that Paris and New York, SEE. H.E. Petritsch obtaining several top capacities including the EU-Special Envoy and Chief Negotiator (Kosovo), Intl. Community’s High Representative (BiH). From 1977 to 1983, Dr. Petritsch has served as a Press Secretary and Chief of Cabinet to the Austrian Federal Chancellor Bruno Kreisky. Prolific author of several books, Excellency PETRITSCH holds the PhD in Human sciences from prestigious Austrian and the US universities.

Summing up at the end of this content-intensive and extremely valuable event with Mr. Heinz Boyer, the IMC Founderer and General-Manager and Mr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, EXP Chair and principal host of the event, Excellency Petritsch stated that he was very much impressed by huge interest, commitment and knowledge of our students as demonstrated throughout the questions and discussion with them as well as with the overall achievements of our young institution, and promised to return to our University in a due time again.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic