VIENNA WILL BE “HUMBLE, WISE AND REALISTIC” AS PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU

Mr Karl Diem, ambassador of Austria to Bulgaria, presented Wednesday the priorities of the Austrian presidency of the Coiuncil of the European Union. The conference was organized by the European Institute Foundation. The conference held in the Sheraton hotel was attended by a number of cabinet ministers, foreign diplomats and experts.

“Taking over the presidency of the Council of the European Union is a great and honourable task for each Member State and for each diplomat. It is as well a daunting task. The start of each presidency is a joyful and a touching moment full of expectation. We will seek to advance the European Agenda and to serve Europe. In our case it means to manage nearly 600 dossiers in all policy areas,” Ambassador Diem said.

This is the second time for Vienna to take over the presidency of the Council of the EU for a period of 7 years and a half. Austria will be humble, wise and realistic during its mandate, as 90% of the work is predetermined.

Vienna sets up four priorities – sustainability in employment, stimulating the growth and further development of the European social model, as well as fighting for the trust and confidence of the European citizens, which has to be regained.

In the ambassador’s words, Bulgaria will join the EU with a sufficient degree of public enthusiasm and will be convincing enough for the other member-states. Although the question is not if and when – even whether the Bulgarian politicians are logically asking these – the right issue to set forth is, what sort of member will Bulgaria be and is it prepared for the EU-membership, Karl Diem added.
 
A full text of the ambassador’s speech is published in the Analysis section of the English-language version of Europe.bg