Guest Lecture of H.E. Dr. Hannes Swoboda

As a part of EU series regularly organized by the IMC Export, the Chair for International Legal and Global Political Studies, was inviting the Austrian member of the European Parliament, Dr. Hannes Swoboda for a visit and guest lecture on 14th June. The MEP Swoboda gave an excellent overview on the work of this EU body. His remarks were followed by nearly two hours of discussions with students and professors, and by a reception.

Dr. Swoboda’s remarks offered the IMC Export fellows a rare opportunity to gain insights into mandate and role as well as the modus operandi of the Parliament; decision-making procedures and works of both the EP plenary and numerous committees; legislative initiative, co-deciding competencies and relations with other EU bodies, primarily with the Commission and the Council; on recent and current legal texts as well as the brief note on the issue of constitution and enlargement.

An extraordinarily eloquent senior parliamentarian, Dr. Swoboda serves the European Parliament for more than 10 years. His major assignments have included the Foreign Affairs Committee, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, Subcommittee on Security and Defence, and activities in various ad-hoc or standing delegations for South-east Europe and Middle East. Dr. Swoboda has also held other major positions within the Parliament such as the Vice-Chairman of the Socialist Group. Dr. Hannes Swoboda holds the LLD and MA degrees in Human Sciences (legal and economics studies) from the University of Vienna.

Summing up after this content-intensive and extremely valuable event with Mr. Ernst Fietz, the EXP Program Director, and Mr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, EXP Chair and principal host of the event, Dr. Swoboda (accompanied with his assistant Ms. Sonja Kothe) stated that he has been very impressed by our faculty’s continued interest in EU affairs. Dr Swoboda also complimented the commitment and knowledge of our students as demonstrated in the questions and discussion with him as well as with the overall achievements of our young institution. He promised to return to our university in a due time again.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic