Program 2024
Archive & Review

Review “EU: no future without reforms”
20th Salzburg Europe Summit, 20 to 22 October, 2024

SPECIAL – art exhibition

Opening of “European Regional Culture”

Sunday, October 20, 2024
11.00 a.m.


Salzburg Congress, Mozart Hall

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg


The Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE) is presenting regional European art and culture, the connection between history and modernity and the regional cultural diversity of Europe as part of the "Salzburg Europe Summit". Zoran Šijakovic, IRE special advisor for regional culture, curated the exhibition. It was opened in the presence of political and diplomatic representatives from Latvia and Austria, as well as the artist.


GREETING

Ingrīda Levrence

Deputy State Secretary for EU Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Latvia

Franz Schausberger

Chairman of the Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE)

Guna Japiņa

Ambassador of Latvia to Austria


OPENING

Stefan Schnöll

Deputy Governor of Salzburg


ARTIST

Iveta Vecenāne

Latvia


SPECIAL – Youth Forum

Youth, Europe & Democracy

Sunday, October 20, 2024

03.00 p.m.


Salzburg Congress, Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg


A highlight of the 20th "Salzburg Europe Summit" is the youth forum, this year with EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn. The small-scale exchange offers young people, especially schoolchildren and students, the opportunity to exchange ideas with high-ranking representatives of the institutions of the European Union and to discuss current crises and developments, visions of the future and views. Young people bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to socio-political discussions. We must also listen to their ideas in order to maintain mutual understanding and ensure progress.


DISCUSSION

Johannes Hahn

EU Commissioner for Budget

Lukas Mandl

Member of the European Parliament (ÖVP), Austria


MODERATION

Stephan Schweighofer

University of Salzburg, Austria


OPENING and CEREMONY

Ceremony: 20 Years of the Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE)

Sunday, October 20, 2024

05.00 p.m.


Salzburg Residence, Carabinieri Hall

Residenzplatz 1, 5020 Salzburg


The Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE) is celebrating its 20th anniversary and the “Salzburg Europe Summit” (originally “Conference of European Regions and Cities”) is taking place for the 20th time. The IRE was formally founded in December 2004 and the first conference took place in the summer of 2004. During the ceremony, we will look back on the past 20 years and discuss how regions, cities and communities can be strengthened in the future in a Europe characterized by increasing centralism.


Above all, we would like to thank those who have contributed to the successful development of the IRE into an institution that is now recognized throughout Europe. Without the support of so many individuals, companies, organizations, institutions, local authorities, etc., this successful path would not have been possible. A big thank you for that! We also see it as our obligation in the future to strengthen subsidiarity in Europe, promote cross-border cooperation, and network the European regions.


GREETING

Brigitta Pallauf

President of the Salzburg State Parliament, Austria


SPEECH

Franz Schausberger

Founder and Chairman of the Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE)


VIDEO MESSAGE

Alexander Van der Bellen

Federal President of the Republic of Austria


EUROPE-TALK

Benita Ferrero-Waldner

former Foreign Minister, Austria (2000–2004), former EU Commissioner (2004–2010)


SPEECH

Tobias Gotthardt

State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Bavaria, Germany


TALK WITH IRE-FOUNDERS: “20 Years of IRE: Successful Work for Regions, Cities and Municipalities in Europe”

Mujo Hadzić

Entrepreneur in Southeast Europe and Germany, IRE Volunteer Coordinator for the Western Balkans

Johannes Hörl

CEO of Großglockner Hochalpenstraßen AG

Cristian Macedonschi

President Smart City Brasov, Romania (video message)

Dragijana Radonjić-Petrović

former State Secretary for Regional Development, Serbia (2010–2012), entrepreneur

Krystyna Schreiber

Representative of the Government of Catalonia in Central Europe

Jelena Tadić

Entrepreneur, IRE member, Serbia


MUSIC

Paris-Lodron Ensemble Salzburg


EVENING EVENT

Reception of the State and City of Salzburg

Sunday, October 20, 2024

07.30 p.m.


Salzburg Residence, Carabinieri Hall

Residenzplatz 1, 5020 Salzburg


Reception of the state and city of Salzburg in the old prince-archbishop's residence.


DIALOG I

EU: No future without reform

Monday, October 21, 2024

09.00 a.m.


Salzburg Congress, Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg

The elections to the European Parliament have strengthened the political centre, but also the extreme fringes. A new EU Commission has been put together in accordance with the previous rules and requirements. Due to the challenges to peace policy and the economic competitive situation with other continents, the need for reform in the EU is enormous. Even if some things have been implemented and rapid and unanimous action has been taken in past crisis situations (such as the pandemic), major reform discussions are still underway.en,like the Conference on the Future of Europe,disappeared again without a sound and in many areas the backlog of reforms has become even greater. An important topic for the coming period is the accession process of the six Western Balkan states, which has been dragging on for many years and has now been joined by three more candidates: Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. Not only are the candidate countries still far from joining, the EU itself is also not prepared for new members. In addition, constructive cooperation with Turkey without full membership, apossiblyThe changing future role of the USA towards Europe and possible readjustments in the relationship between Great Britain and the EU must be clarified. Urgent questions that are overshadowed by the military attacks on Ukraine and the ever-flaring conflicts in the Middle East.


For the economy, especially for SMEs, but also in agriculture, the increasing bureaucratization and the excessive reporting obligations are perceived as a threat to the existence of the economy. There is an urgent need to reduce bureaucracy. The principle of subsidiarity - in itself a key pillar of the EU - has completely disappeared from political reality, and the importance of regions and municipalities is increasingly diminishing under thewaxend national and European centralism.


OPENING AND WELCOME

Bernhard Auinger

Mayor of the City of Salzburg, Austria

Franz Schausberger

Chairman of the Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE)


KEYNOTE

Hristijan Mickoski

Prime Minister of the Republic of North Macedonia


EUROPE TALK

Borut Pahor

former President of Slovenia (2012–2022)


SPEECH

Péter Szijjártó

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary, Representative of the Hungarian EU Council Presidency 2024


PULSE

Johannes Hahn

EU Commissioner for Budget


PODIUM

Gabriele Abels

Jean Monnet Professor for Comparative Politics and European Integration, University of Tübingen

Ingrīda Levrence

Deputy State Secretary for EU Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Latvia

Mark Speich

State Secretary for European and International Affairs, State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Pavlína Žáková

Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Czech Republic


MODERATION

Christian Ultsch

Head of Foreign Policy and Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Die Presse, Austria


DIALOG II

EU enlargement: a geopolitical necessity

Monday, October 21, 2024

11.45 a.m.


Salzburg Congress, Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg


The EU describes the expansion as a “geopolitical investment” for peace, prosperity and security in Europe. Twenty years ago, in 2004, ten new member states were admitted to the European Union: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Cyprus. Bulgaria and Romania followed in 2007, and Croatia in 2013.


For around 20 years, the six Western Balkan countries have been waiting to join the EU, despite many promises and announcements. The EU has lost credibility as a result, while necessary reforms in the area of the rule of law and democracy are slow to materialize. The long-stagnating policy area of EU enlargement has gained political momentum since the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the resulting creation of accession prospects for Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia. The enlargement talks with Turkey are still completely open. Enlargement policy has also become part of the EU's geostrategic competition with Russia and China.


There is widespread agreement that the accession process of the Western Balkan countries must be vigorously pushed forward and accelerated in order not to leave these countries to other players. The only question is how the enlargement process will be accelerated. A “gradual integration process” is being discussed in which the Western Balkan states participate in the Erasmus  program, for example, or in informal meetings or foreign ministers' meetings (without voting rights). This cannot depend on the start of accession negotiations, but on when a candidate meets the criteria for accession. In any case, there must not be two classes of enlargement candidates. This panel will focus on a summary of the EU's enlargement policy to date, an outlook on future enlargement and the necessary reforms of the EU itself.


PULSE

Karoline Edtstadler

Federal Minister for EU and Constitutional Affairs, Austria


PODIUM

Josip Brkić

Deputy Foreign Minister, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Marie-Janine Calic

Professor for East and Southeast European History, LMU Munich, Germany

Šime Erlić

Minister for Regional Development and EU Funds, Croatia

Maida Gorčević

Minister for EU Affairs, Montenegro

Hannes Mösenbacher

Chief Risk Officer of Raiffeisen International Bank

Christian Schmidt

High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Olha Stefanischyna  (Live broadcast to Kyiv)

Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and Minister of Justice, Ukraine


MODERATION

Ivo Mijnssen

Neue Zürcher Zeitung NZZ, Switzerland


DIALOG III

How does the EU remain competitive?

Monday, October 21, 2024

03.00 p.m.


Salzburg Congress, Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg


Competitiveness, long-term, sustainable growth potential and the deepened European internal market are the backbone of prosperity in Europe. The past few years have been marked by serious crises that have destroyed a great deal of trust in society, caused a decline in investment and made competitive investments more difficult. If the EU economy wants to remain strong, it must do everything it can to be at the forefront of innovation worldwide. In the competition for global economic supremacy between the USA and China, Europe as a business location is coming under increasing pressure. For example, heavily subsidized Chinese exports are systematically exacerbating the competitive situation for European industrial companies, which are already at a price competitive disadvantage due to high wage and energy costs.


As studies show, Europe has lost much of its innovative strength, meaning that established key European industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals and aerospace could lose their position on the global markets. At the same time, the EU is making slower progress than others in future technologies such as artificial intelligence and digitalisation. It is undisputed that the European internal market must be further deepened and cohesion and convergence promoted in order to strengthen European companies and markets and make them more competitive. Administrative hurdles and excessive bureaucratic processes must be removed, and the recovery and resilience plan must be consistently implemented, especially to promote innovative projects. The regional and local dimension of all measures is particularly crucial for the EU's competitiveness.


PODIUM

Heinz Freunschlag

Board of Directors of ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG

Tim Joris Kaiser

Economic Policy Advisor, European Commission

Andreas Klauser

Chairman of the Board of PALFINGER AG

Robert Olma

Vice President Regulatory Affairs & Global Government Relations, STIHL AG

Michael Strugl

Chairman of the Board of VERBUND AG


MODERATION

Waltraud Langer

Regional Director ORF Salzburg, Austria


WORKSHOP SLOVENIA AED-IRE (within the framework of the EU-funded TSI project 2023–2025)

Improving the Efficiency of ESI Funds Absorption Processes in Slovenia

Monday, October 21, 2024

04.30 p.m.


Salzburg Congress, Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg


Best practice examples from urban communities to ensure efficient EU co-financing for infrastructure reform projects.


OPENING

Franz Schausberger

Chairman of the Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE)

Dietmar Hampel

Managing Director of AED (Agency for Economic Cooperation and Development)

Saša Heath-Drugovič

Deputy Director for EU Affairs, City of Celje, Slovenia


PULSE

Aleksander Jevšek

Minister for Cohesion and Regional Development, Slovenia


REPORT ON THE 18-MONTH EU PROJECT

Anton Schabl

AED (Agency for Economic Cooperation and Development)

Joachim Fritz

Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE)


MODERATION

Gerhard Walcher

member of the Board of Trustees of the IRE


WORKSHOP (only for IRE members)

Opportunity for nearsharing instead of offshoring: building business relations with the Western Balkans

Monday, October 21, 2024

05.00 p.m.


Salzburg Congress, Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg


In view of the current upheavals and reorientations in global supply chains, the Western Balkans are becoming increasingly important. The region not only offers geographical proximity, which enables short delivery times and reduced transport costs, but also crucial advantages in the form of competitive energy prices and sufficient energy resources, which is of great value, especially in times of increasing global energy uncertainties. In addition, alignment with the EU legal system has already made significant progress, which further increases legal certainty and the attractiveness of the region for investors. Political uncertainty remains an issue, but is being reduced by increasing EU presence with the aim of EU membership.


PULSE

Mujo Hadžić

Entrepreneur in Southeast Europe and Germany, IRE Volunteer Coordinator for the Western Balkans

Gerd Bommer

Regional Manager Southeast and Eastern Europe, Austrian Federal Economic Chamber


EVENING EVENT
Salzburg evening

Monday, October 21, 2024

07.00 p.m.


Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln

Lindhofstrasse 7, 5020 Salzburg


The "Bräustübl", the largest beer restaurant in Austria, has been around since 1621 - that is, for 400 years. The beer comes from wooden barrels and is served in stone mugs, and is accompanied by traditional dishes. In a convivial atmosphere, participants of the Salzburg Europe Summit have the opportunity to have interesting, informal conversations and network. The Bräustübl is a place of encounter, of tradition - a piece of living history in the center of Salzburg's World Heritage Site.


GREETING

Helmut Falschlehner

Member of the Board of the Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE)


MUSIC

Danic Music Ensemblea, Director Zoran Šijaković


DIALOG IV

Is the EU on the way to an Energy Union?

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

09.00 a.m.


Salzburg Congress, Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg


The vision of the EU as an energy union is a common electricity and gas market that stretches from Portugal to Finland and supplies the people of the European Union with affordable and clean energy. In addition, the common climate targets must be achieved and Europe must switch to renewable and low-emission energies. To achieve this, the energy transition must be jointly supported by all member states and national policies in this area must be better coordinated. Within the energy union, the EU member states should cooperate closely in the energy sector and subsequently continue to drive forward the integrated internal market for electricity and gas. Energy must flow freely in the EU - through appropriate infrastructure and without regulatory obstacles. If the energy union works and energy flows unhindered from one country to another, consumers will benefit from lower energy costs. The aim is for energy to be safe and affordable for all Europeans in the future.


The Energy Union must reduce the EU's dependence on energy imports as the world's largest energy importer. The European Union consumes a fifth of the energy produced worldwide, and 53 percent of our energy is imported annually at a total cost of around 400 billion euros. By promoting research and innovation, the energy demand in industry, transport and all other sectors should increasingly be met by renewable rather than fossil fuels.


IMPULSE AND CONVERSATION

Dubravka Đedović Handanović  (Live broadcast to Belgrade)

Minister of Energy and Mining, Serbia


PODIUM

Michael Baminger

CEO of Salzburg AG

Edit Herczog

Chairman of the Administrative Board of the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), based in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Christoph Maurer

Energy expert, shareholder and managing director of Consentec GmbH, Germany

HE Rovshan Sadigbayli

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Austria


MODERATION

Gundula Geiginger

Puls 4


DIALOG V

Illegal migration to Europe: an unsolvable issue?

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

11:15 a.m.


Salzburg Congress, Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg


One of the dominant issues in Europe is migration, especially illegal migration to Europe. How can this problem be solved, or can it be solved at all, after it has been largely ignored for many years for political and ideological reasons? Some believe that it is already too late for an effective solution, but in any case time is running out. Those responsible for politics at EU level and in the member states must finally be prepared to take an effective, pragmatic, joint approach.


Countries, regions and municipalities are increasingly warning of the consequences of rising migration, not only because the costs of caring for migrants have exploded, but above all because the willingness of the population to accept more migrants is declining and integration is becoming increasingly difficult. Added to this is the rise in crime by migrants and increasing terrorist activities. Studies show that more and more people are adopting xenophobic and racist positions and that the failure of migration policy is leading to the strengthening of right-wing and left-wing extremist groups and growing mistrust of democracy. Reception facilities, social systems and educational institutions have already reached their limits in many cases. Since European and international agreements prevent national unilateral action, it is necessary that possible national measures are used to process asylum applications more quickly and that deportations are carried out more quickly and consistently after a rejection. Migration agreements with other countries are necessary. All of these topics and many others will be discussed objectively, pragmatically and with a focus on results in this panel.


PULSE

Gerhard Karner

Federal Minister of the Interior, Austria


VIDEO MESSAGE

Michael Spindelegger

Director General ICMPD International Center for Migration Policy Development


PODIUM

Arnoldas Abramavičius

Deputy Minister of the Interior, Lithuania

Liv von Boetticher

Journalist, author, researches Afghanistan, Germany, among others

Johannes Luchner

Deputy Director General DG Home Affairs & Migration DG HOME, European Commission

Aija Kalnaja

Deputy Executive Director FRONTEX

Ulf Laessing

Head of Sahel Program, Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Mali

Gianluca Rocco

Director Brussels Office IOM (International Organization for Migration)


MODERATION

Werner Sejka

Puls4


DIALOG VI

How do we revitalize empty town centers?

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

01.00 p.m.


Salzburg Congress, Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg


For centuries, all the conditions for daily life were present in a small space in the middle of the village or town: the traditional houses near the church, the inns, shops and craft businesses, the school, the doctor, the pharmacy, the post office and the municipal office. Markets were held on the village or town square. Today, town and city centers are often affected by a loss of functionality. Customers are moving to the Internet or to shopping centers on the outskirts of the community, shops are closing, and town centers are completely empty. A dying town center is not only a sad sight to behold, the consequences are felt throughout the entire region. Strengthening town and city centers is an urgent task so that communities can remain livable - it is important for sustainable spatial development, for public services, social cohesion and local economic prosperity. Housing, local amenities, business, social facilities and public open spaces need to be interlinked.


Concerted action by the federal government, states, regions and municipalities is necessary. Municipalities that "still" have a lively city center are well advised to do everything they can to keep it that way. For all those who already have problems, there are now proven best practice examples. It is also important that the citizens, all stakeholders and all generations are involved. Intercommunal cooperation with neighboring municipalities is also called for, as the entire region is to be strengthened. This panel will also present examples of successful revitalization of town or city centers.


KEYNOTE

Johannes Pressl

President of the Austrian Association of Municipalities


PODIUM

Monika Hohenecker

Head of Cities and Municipalities Consulting, RegioPlan, Vienna

Petra Kramer

Ministerial Director in the State Ministry for Housing, Construction and Transport of Bavaria, Germany

Kathrin Kühtreiber-Leitner

Member of the Board of Directors of Oberösterreichische Versicherung AG

Martin Oberndorfer

City Councilor for Economic Affairs of the City of Wels

Gerlind Weber

Professor for Spatial and Environmental Planning, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna


MODERATION

Heidi Huber

Salzburger Nachrichten


Share by: