Guest speech of the Ambassador of Hungary, H.E. Mr. Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky

As a continuation of the EU series of the IMC Export, Chairperson for Intl. Law Prof. Bajrektarevic invited the current holder of the EU Presidency, the Hungarian ambassador to Austria, H.E. Mr. Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky to give a public lecture on 17th March 2011.

The honorable guest (and his assistant Ms. Veronika Kaszás, the Embassy EU Attaché) was warmly welcomed by Prof. Bajrektarevic, who then commented shortly on his personal relation to Hungary. The ambassador started his presentation with reminding his audience about past relations of formerly united Austria and Hungary, and their at the present day intensive political, cultural and economic relations. Subsequently a short film about Hungary was shown to give the audience fascinating impressions of this country.

The presentation with the highly interesting heading “Strong Europe with a human touch”, which is actually the motto of Hungary’s EU-presidency, introduced firstly the deeper meaning of the motto itself. Thus, the European Union has currently to deal with a lot of pressure coming from various issues such as the currency-crisis with Ireland and Greece. It should handle these problems strongly, nevertheless the human touch should be kept and therefore one key goal of the Hungarian presidency is to “bring people closer to the Union”.

In the course of the presentation the four most important priorities of Hungary during its presidency were outlined, including the following topics. Firstly, growth and social inclusion are a central objective of His Excellency. Currently, the Europe 2020 – strategy is developed, which promotes employment and job creation, as well as facilitating learning programs. Secondly, Europe should become “stronger”. His Excellency focused on highly interesting thoughts about energy-strategies of the whole EU and Hungary in particular. Mentioned has been the European Danube Strategy in relation with Krems, as a city located at the Danube, and other aspects of renewable forms of energy such as wind. The ambassador emphasized the importance of nuclear energy for Hungary, as a country depending on this form of energy generation.

Furthermore, in relation to the key phrase “a union closer to its citizens” has the enlargement of the Schengen-area been discussed by His Excellency. He referred to the need of a political compromise such as a partial extension of the Schengen-area in context with a possible join of Rumania and Bulgaria. At the end of the presentation have the efforts of the EU on the Libyan crisis been revealed. These are the non-fly-zone, the freezing of funds and economic resources of the Gaddafi-clan, and financial help of € 30 million to Libya and neighbouring countries.

The official part of the ambassador’s visit was closed with a family photo and many thanks of Mr. Anis for the excellent presentation and for the interesting links given by His Excellency, for example www.andrassyuni.hu. Additionally, IMC students had the possibility to discuss and ask questions, which His Excellency would answer most comprehensively and interestingly. The Ambassador closed with the wish to have more exchange between Hungary and Austria, also as a study-destination, and some recommendations what to look for when going on holiday to Hungary.

This Guest Lecture was the 85th event organized under the auspices of the International Law Chair and prof. Bajretarevic. The following event of the Chair is a visit to the Europe Haus in Vienna planned for 18th April. The next in-house public lecture will be held on 8th April 2011, when professor Bajrektarevic is hosting Ms. Mag. Monika Kircher Kohl, CEO of Infineon Austria.

http://www.eu2011.hu/
http://www.mfa.gov.hu/


Text: Raffaela F. (rev. A.B.)

Guest speech: Ambassador of Laos, H.E Mr. Khamkheuang Bounteum

As a continuation of the ASEAN guest-lecture series, the IMC Export under the auspices of the Chair for International Law and Global Political Studies, Prof. Dr. Anis Bajrektarevic invited H.E. Mr. Khamkheuang Bounteum, Ambassador of Laos to Austria and Vienna-based IOs.

H.E. Mr. Bounteum arrived with two of his counselors, who actively supported the Ambassador´s speech. After a very hearty welcome and an introduction by Prof. Bajrektarevic (who also made a brief reference on the international women day with some flowers brought for the female students), the ambassador guest started with an outline of his speech which would be focusing on the main question why Laos is going to be THE place to be and why it is profitable to invest in Laos.

A basic overview Laos by the Ambassador´s counselor followed, pointing out the most important facts of the country. The counselor went on with the current major infrastructure projects and finished with a brief introduction to Economic and Industrial Zones in Laos and other facilities.

H.E. took over, listing their achievements in the recent years of maintaining political and social order and then presenting their ambitious plans and strategies for the future including full integration into the ASEAN community by 2015 and entering the ASEAN Free Trade Area. As Excellency Bounteum stated; the country is on his way from a “land locked” to a “land linked” country.

In the last part of this 2-hour speech, Mr. Bounteum talked about the relations with Europe and particular with Austria. He finished by presenting Laws on Investment Promotion, which showed that the country is making a big effort to be an attractive place to invest.

The lecture was closed with a Q&A session, where Ambassador answered all questions about topics like educational system, their main focus within the ASEAN community and their export issues, in a very competent and kind way.

Summing up, this lecture wasn´t to be missed as H.E. Mr. Bounteum provided a very deep and interesting insight into Laos; a country where dynamic is taking place.

This Guest Lecture was the 84th event organized under the auspices of the Chairman Bajrektarevic (and the 7th from ASEAN series). The next in-house event will take place on 17th March 2011 when Prof. Bajrektarevic is hosting H.E. Mr. Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Ambassador of Hungary (EU Series).

Photos: Anton S. & Kathy B.
Text: Maria W. (rev. A.B.)

Guest speech: Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, H.E. Ali De Jesus Uzcategui Duque

At the occasion of 200 years of Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and as a continuation of the IMC Ambassador Series of the IMC Export Department, under the auspices of the Chair of International, Legal and Global Political Studies, Prof. Dr. Anis Bajrektarevic invited H.E. ALÍ DE JESÚS UZCÁTEGUI DUQUE, Ambassador of Venezuela to Austria and Vienna-based IOs, to hold a guest lecture for university fellows.

Chairman Bajrektarevic warmly welcomed H.E. Ambassador by pointing out that his visit constituted a premiere in the IMC Ambassador Series. Even though a couple of previously visiting ambassadors also stem from a military background H.E. was the first general to address a speech to IMC students.

In his introduction Mr. Bajrektarevic furthermore emphasized the focus on openness of this series of events. By pointing out the mixed feelings Venezuela faces in the EU he underlined the importance of giving “out- of mainstream guests” the opportunity to share a view from their perspective with students and thus broadening their horizon and fostering a comprehensive understanding of international affairs.

Under the motto “Venezuela- Una alternetiva posibile” H.E. opened his speech, throughout which he gave a comprehensive insight into the nation’s plans for the years from 2007 to 2013, which are supposed to foster the development of “the Socialism of the 21st century” in Venezuela.

Since the speech turned out to be richer in content than expected the official question and answer session unfortunately had to be cancelled. Nevertheless, after bringing the official part to an end by posing for a family picture, the ambassador further stayed in the baroque Piaristen hall in order to willingly address questions from students.

As a farewell token of appreciation Prof. Bajrektarevic presented H.E. with a collection of the Kremser wine, a heritage of the region’s rich wine culture.

This Guest Lecture was the 83th event organized under the auspices of the Chairman Bajrektarevic. The next in-house event will take place on 8th March 2011 when Prof. Bajrektarevic is hosting H.E. Mr. Khamkheuang Bounteum, the Ambassador of Laos.

Photos: Venezuelan embassy
Text: Sebastian R. (rev. A.B.)

The script of the speech of H.E. Ali De Jesus Uzcategui Duque can be found here.
The presentation of H.E. Ali De Jesus Uzcategui Duque can be found here.

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