Seminar Abstract

The public lecture of the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria, Ambassador Johannes Peterlik will give an overview of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the 2^nd semester of 2018.

Austria has taken over the Council Presidency on 1 July in a demanding environment, due to geo-political developments as well as developments within the EU. Under the motto “A Europe that protects” the Austrian EU Presidency endeavours to live up to the European citizens’ expectations and to restore their confidence in the EU as a stabilizing and reliable global power.

The three main priority areas are “security and the fight against illegal migration”, “securing prosperity and competitiveness through digitalization” and “stability in the neighbourhood – EU perspective for the Western Balkans/South Eastern Europe”. Further priorities in the area of foreign affairs are the reinforcement of the relations between EU and Asia, the promotion of effective multilateralism and a rules-based global order, as well as the further development of the Eastern Partnership. Important challenges for the Austrian EU Presidency are the closing of Brexit negotiations and the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework for the European Union for the period 2021-2027.

In accordance with its traditional role as bridge builder, the Austrian Presidency aims at acting as a neutral broker between diverging interests of EU member states and wishes to contribute to the unity within the European Union.

About the Speaker

Johannes Peterlik is a senior career diplomat, rank of Career Ambassador, currently serving as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Prior to his current function he served as Deputy Director-General for Cultural Policy at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2016-2018. He also served as Chief of Staff to the Federal Minister for Families and Youth from 2013 to 2015. Prior to that he held the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to the Kingdom of Thailand, co-accredited to Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar from 2009 to 2013 and the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from 2004 to 2009. Before that, from 1995 to 2004, he served as Director of the strategic Foreign Policy Planning Unit and spokesperson to the former State Secretary of Foreign Affairs and former Foreign Minister of Austria, Mrs. Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

Johannes Peterlik was born on 23rd January 1967 in Vienna and joined the Austrian Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1994. He is married and has two sons. He holds a Masters degree in Economics and Business Administration from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration and a Doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. He also holds an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts (Public and Private Management) awarded by the Christian University of Thailand.