EU COUNCIL PRESIDENCY JULY-DECEMBER 2018 ACTIVITIES / EVENTS OF THE AUSTRIAN EMBASSY IN ATHENS Piraeus, „Athens greets Vienna“ event in view of the upcoming Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU, 29th June © SEFA, from right: Filip Ikic, Austrian Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm, SEFA-President Konstantinos Katsikas On Friday 29th of June the “Athens greets Vienna” event took place at the Greek Yacht Club „Naytikos Omilos Ellados“ under the patronage of the cities of Athens and Vienna. This event was organised as always by the Society of former Greek students in Austria - SEFA, which has recently included the Friends of Austria. Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm highlighted the importance of the SEFA as a bridge builder between Greece and Austria and as a symbol of “unity in diversity”, particularly during the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU. This event rich in tradition became yet again a memorable night for all guests. Nafplio / Koroni / Thessaloniki: „European Ensemble“, 1st, 2nd and 4th July © Uwe Matschke , Daae Papamattheou-Matschke, Kerstin Feltz During the Austrian-Greek Music Summer 2018, Prof. Uwe Matscke (piano), Prof. Dr. Kerstin Fletz (violoncello) and Danae Papamattheou-Matschke (violin) performed as the “European Ensemble” at three venues: on 1st July at Nafplion Festival, on 2nd July at Koroni Festival and on 4th July at Moni Lazariston Festival. The trio thrilled the numerous spectators with the professionally and emotionally performed melodies of Wolfgang ©Austrian Embassy Athens, from left: Filip Ikic, Danae Amadeus Mozart, Georg Aranyi-Aschner, Papamattheou-Matschke, Dr. Kerstin Feltz, Yannis Vakarelis Yannis Constantinidis and Ludwig van (Nafplion Festival Artistic Director), Andrea Ikic-Böhm st (Austrian Ambassador), Prof. Uwe Matschke Beethoven. The concert on 1 July also marked the beginning of the Austrian EU Council Presidency - in the first capital of Greece and in the first Greek parliament, “Vouleftiko”. Athens, EU-HoMs Lunch with the Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs Nikolaos KOTZIAS, 4th July On 4th July H.E. the Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs Nikolaos KOTZIAS - at the invitation of Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm as the local representative of the EU Council Presidency - did the honour of attending a meeting at the Ambassador’s residence with the www.mfa.gr Ambassadors of EU Member States, EFTA and Western Balkans / Southeastern Europe accredited to Athens. H.E. Minister Kotzias elaborated on his numerous foreign policy initiatives and discussed issues related to the neighboring region of Greece as well as global issues. Athens: ANA-MPA interview with Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm, 5th July The ANA-MPA Greek magazine “Praktorio” published on 5th July a two- page interview with Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm, in which topics, such as the work of the Austrian Embassy Athens, the importance of cultural exchange, the program of the Austrian EU Council Presidency and the Austrian identity based on neutrality and multilateralism as well as the personal experiences of the Ambassador in Greece were illuminated in detail. Athens, Conference: "The European Union at the foreground: Consultation on the Future of Europe and Public Administration", 5th July Matters concerning the future of Europe are also an important part of the program of the Austrian EU Council Presidency. Under the motto "A Europe that protects", Austria wants to help restore the citizens' trust in the EU. The EU should focus on the big issues that need a common solution and back up © EKDDA, from left: Vassilis Hatzopoulos (Professor of European Law and on small issues. For this Politics at Pantion University), presenter: Pavlos Tsimas (journalist), Prof. reason Ambassador Andrea George Katrougalos (Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs), Andrea Ikic- Böhm (Austrian Ambassador) Ikic-Böhm thanked H.E. Alternate Minister for Foreign Affairs (responsible for European Affairs) George Katrougalos for the invitation to participate in the joint panel at the Civic Consultation Conference which was opened by H.E. President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopios V. Pavlopoulos on 5 July. Following her speech on current challenges and opportunities in the EU, she had an interesting discussion with the representatives of the Greek administration. Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm emphasized the joint responsibility to bring Europe closer to its citizens. Mani / Koroni / Ancient Messini / Kalamata: DANUBIA SYMPHONIC WINDS, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th July During the Austrian-Greek Music Summer 2018 the brass orchestra „Danubia Symphonic Winds“, consisting of 41 musicians, performed at four venues: on 5th July in Mani Sonnenlink, on 6th July at Koroni © Danubia Symphonic Winds Festival in Koroni, on 7th July in the ancient Messini and finally on 8th July in Kalamata. The symphonic brass orchestra is the result of a cooperative project of five music schools from Klosterneuburg, the Wagram region, Sieghartskirchen, Traismauer and Tulln in Lower Austria, offering young and engaged musicians the chance to perform in extraordinary ways, thereby presenting symphonic brass music to a large audience in their home regions and beyond. The numerous spectators were particularly impressed by the joint performance of the Orchestra of Lower Austria with Greek musicians and a Greek choir – entirely inspired by the European idea. ©Austrian Embassy Athens: Minister Georgios ©Austrian Embassy Athens, from left: Municipal Katrougalos, Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm Councilor Christina Athanasopoulou, SEFA President Konstantinos Katsikas, Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm, Mayor Giorgos Tsonis, President of the Greek National Opera Athanassios Theodoropoulos Athens: Information evening event for Austrians living in Greece and SEFA, 9th July On 9th July Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm invited the Austrians living in Greece as well as members of the Association of former Greek students in Austria (SEFA) to her residence for an information evening event. During this event the Austrian EU Council Presidency program was presented to the guests. Following this, Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm responded to questions posed by the guests and a lively discussion took place. Athens, Press Conference on the presentation of the program of the Austrian EU Council Presidency, 10th July There was considerable interest in the press conference on the presentation of the Austrian EU Council Presidency program on 10 July in the premises of the European Parliament's Representation in Greece. In addition to numerous diplomatic representatives, a large number of Greek and international media representatives were present. After the opening remarks of the Director-General of the European Commission George Markopouliotis and of the European Parliament in Greece, Leonidas Antonakopoulos, as well as of the Bulgarian charge d’ affaires a.i. Vesellin Ivanov, who symbolically handed over the Council Presidency to Austria, Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm took the floor. Following this, she presented the priorities of the Austrian EU Council Presidency under the motto "A Europe that protects" and then responded to questions posed by media representatives. Article: http://www.ert.gr/ert-protaseis/ert1-europe-30-162/# Athens, EU consular cooperation meeting, 11th July On 11 July an EU consular cooperation meeting took place in the premises of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, co-organized by the Austrian Embassy as the local representative authority of the Austrian EU Council Presidency under the motto “A Europe that protects”. In her introductory words Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm emphasized the importance of consular work to provide EU citizens with the best possible protection and service. Co- operation among the EU embassies also plays an important role. Many consular staff members of EU Embassies heard the speeches of representatives of the Greek Civil Protection Unit, the Greek Police and the Greek Ministry of Health. The Embassy ©Austrian Embassy Athens: Alexandra Mantzila (1. Embassy Counselor, Head of the crisis management unit), Christoph Reitinger (Austrian Consul in Athens) expressly thanks the Greek Foreign Ministry for making this meeting possible. Athens: Radio interview with Athina 9.84, 11th July The radio station Athina 9.84 broadcast on 11th July an extensive interview with the Ambassador Andrea Ikic-Böhm, whereby numerous topics were addressed. The Ambassador not only commented on the generally good Greek-Austrian relations, but also addressed everyday political issues. In particular, she provided an overview of the priorities of the Austrian EU Council Presidency as well as the Austrian views on European migration policy. Moreover, Austria's role as bridge builder and supportive power for the Western Balkans and Southeastern Europe was discussed. Tinos / Paros: Jazz concert with Turumtay-Zaric, 13th & 14th July ©Vassilis Podaras, Takis Farazis, Petros Varthakouris © Efe Turumtay, Nikola Zarić Efe Turumtay (violin) and Nikola Zarić (accordion) thrilled the audience with two concerts of the highest artistic quality within the framework of the Austrian-Greek Music Summer 2018. In Tinos they virtuously played their own compositions with "Balkan-Jazz" sounds on 13th July and intermingled so brilliantly that their melodies ©Austrian Embassy Athens: Takis Farazis, Nikola Zarić and Efe sometimes merged into a Turumtay: Rehearsal in Paros single voice - a symbol of harmony for relationships between people and countries. The concert in Paros took place on 14th July at Paros Park, where Turumtay-Zaric performed at