Contours of a sustainable European foreign policy
Europe is in the midst of a trend-setting process in which strategic challenges are being overcome. These range from the stagnating dynamics of the EU in the Western Balkans to far-reaching problems in the Eastern European countries. Austria is also affected by these challenges due to its decades-long regional bridging function. Furthermore, the upcoming Austrian EU Council Presidency certainly offers the opportunity to critically define Austria's position in Europe and propose concrete options for action.
What regional role does Austria play in the midst of a changing Europe? Could Austria counteract the development towards a polarisation of Europe through a kind of „social openness“? The aim of the discussion is to sharpen the contours of an Austrian foreign policy in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe through fresh ideas and approaches. Serious approaches should identify blind spots and consider a future foreign policy.
Opening: Gertrud Auer Borea d'Olmo, Secretary General Bruno Kreisky Forum for international Dialogue Michael Zinkanell, Secretary General Shabka
Panellists:
Ulrike Lunacek, Former Vice President and Green Member, Rapporteur on Kosovo and Member of the European Parliament from Austria
Joe Weidenholzer, Vice President of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament
Johann Wolfschwenger, Marie Curie Doctoral Fellow at the Université Libre de Bruxelles and the Université de Genève
Moderation Lukas Wank, Director of the Think&Do-Tank Shabka
A co-operation of Shabka, the Bruno Kreisky Forum for International Dialogue and the 1989 Generation Initiative