EVENING EVENT

Festive Reception

Sunday 28th September 2025
8 PM

Salzburg Residence, Carabinieri Hall

Residenzplatz 1, 5020 Salzburg

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

Kolarac Foundation Belgrade, Serbia

For registered guests of the 21st Salzburg Europe Summit.

30 YEARS AUSTRIA IN EU

30 Years Austria in EU

Monday 29th September 2025
9 AM

Salzburg Congress,  Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg

LIVESTREAM

EUROPEAN ANTHEM

High School Maxglan

Music class

WELCOME

Franz Schausberger

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

OPENING

Bernhard Auinger

Mayor of City of Salzburg

Karoline Edtstadler

Designated Governor of Salzburg

„Austria - 30 years member in the EU“

With Austria's accession to the European Union on January 1, 1995, a new chapter in our country's history began. EU membership opened up numerous new opportunities for Austria; it was a decision for stability, cooperation, peace, and prosperity. Austria has benefited greatly from the EU's open trade policy, opening up access to a huge market for our exports. As an EU member, Austria has profited from the stable euro currency and the Union's economic strength. Our country has been granted access to various funding programs, primarily to support agriculture and regional development. Austrian citizens can work, live, and study in other EU countries. By participating in EU research and innovation programs, Austria has been able to strengthen its position in science and technology and benefit from financial grants. EU membership enables our country to exert political influence on the European stage, particularly in matters of foreign policy, trade, and security.

In the future, we must all work together to continuously improve the EU. For example, we must reduce bureaucracy and administrative burdens, which businesses and citizens perceive as too bureaucratic and cumbersome. Another important issue is migration: Austria has repeatedly expressed concerns about immigration affecting the labor market and social infrastructure. European agricultural policy is another point of contention. Austria, which has a strong agricultural sector, is calling for stronger and fairer support for domestic farmers. Austria fundamentally supports the EU's course on climate protection but calls for greater consideration of competitiveness. Austria calls for greater adherence to the principle of subsidiarity, which states that decisions should be made at the lowest political level wherever possible. Austria sees an increasing centralization of power at the EU level in some areas.

We discuss with the key players involved in Austria's accession to the EU in 1995 their views on Austria's prospects in the EU.

VIDEO MESSAGE

Franz Vranitzky

Frm. Federal Chancellor (1986 – 1997)

TALK

Johannes Hahn

Frm. EU-Commissioner (2010 – 2024)

Waltraud Langer

Contemporary witness, journalist, Director ORF Salzburg 

Wolfgang Schüssel 

Frm. Federal Chancellor. (2000 – 2007) & Foreign Minister (1995 – 2000)

MODERATION

Andreas Heyer

Journalist, ORF Salzburg 

DIALOGUE I

Europe - is there hope?

Monday 29th September 2025
10 AM

Salzburg Congress,  Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg

LIVESTREAM

A united Europe is undoubtedly a fascinating and challenging project, the significance of which is particularly evident in relation to current geopolitical, social, and economic developments. The question of whether hope is still justified can be viewed from various perspectives. Political tensions within the EU and in many European countries are palpable. Issues such as Brexit, populist movements, the refugee crisis, the war against Ukraine, the latest developments in the USA, the geopolitical situation, and the question of European integration are occupying politics, business, and society. There is certainly uncertainty about how Europe will develop in the long term. The financial crisis, the pandemic, excessive bureaucracy, inflation, and trade wars are putting our economy under severe pressure. In the Western Balkans, the accession candidates have both good and bad sides. And political extremes are relentlessly aiming to destroy a peaceful, united, democratic Europe.

Nevertheless, it is clear that the EU has repeatedly been able to reform itself and overcome challenges in the past. Despite everything, Europe remains an economic power that must make greater use of its potential. And, in any case, the states of Europe only stand a chance against other players in global politics

if they work together.

Hope is appropriate – but within a realistic framework. Europe faces major challenges, but they also offer significant opportunities for renewal and further development. Whether this hope bears fruit will depend on the political, economic, and social decisions made today.

MODERATION

Christian Ultsch

dep. Editor-in-Chief, Head of Foreign Policy, Die Presse

SPEECHES

Christian Stocker

Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria

Vjosa Osmani Sadriu  (tbc)

President of Republic of Kosovo

EUROPE - IS THERE HOPE?

Kaja Kallas   (tbc)

High Representative for Foreign- and Security Politics, European Commission

Serap Güler   (tbc)

State Minister in the Foreign Office, Germany

TALK - IS EUROPE COMPETITIVE?

Andreas Klauser

CEO of PALFINGER AG

Adam Szłapka    (tbc)

EU-Minister, Poland

EU AND MIGRATION

Magnus Brunner 

EU-Commissioner for Migration & Interior

Vladislav Kondratovič   (tbc)

Minister of Interior, Republic of Lithuania

DIALOGUE II

Hope for EU Enlargement?

Monday 29th September 2025
12 AM

Salzburg Congress,  Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg

LIVESTREAM

In this panel, high-ranking politicians, experts and business professionals will discuss whether there is hope for soon and active EU Enlargement policy and progress.

MODERATION

Michael Martens

Correspondent Southeastern Europe, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung FAZ

SPEECHES & TALK - Europe & Enlargement

Igli Hasani

Minister for European and Foreign Affairs, Albania

Emil Hurezeanu   (tbc)  

Foreign Minister of Romania

Claudia Plakolm

EU Minister, Austria

The Situation in Moldova   

Cristina Gherasimov

Deputy Prime Minister for EU-Integration, Moldova   

PANEL

Claudia Hermes

Director of GIZ in Moldova – live connection from Chisinau

Khatia Kikalishvili 

Program Director Eastern Partnership, Zentrum Liberale Moderne, Berlin

Andreas Kiefer

Frm. Secretary General of Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (2010 - 2022)

DIALOGUE III

Security of energy supply in Europe

Monday 29th September 2025

2.30 PM

Salzburg Congress,  Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg

LIVESTREAM

MODERATION

Gundula Geiginger

Puls 4

KEYNOTE

Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer   

Minister for Economy and Energy, Austria

PANEL

Michael Baminger

CEO of Salzburg AG

Gerhard Christiner

Board Member & CTO Austrian Power Grid APG

Marie Theres von Schickfus  (tbc)

Economist, dep. Director ifo Center for Energy, Climate and Ressources, ifo Munich, Germany

Mechthild Wörsdorfer  (tbc)

Dep. Director General, DG Energy, European Commission

DIALOGUE IV

Mobility as motor for European integration

Monday 29th September 2025

3.30 PM

LIVESTREAM

Mobility plays a central role as a driver of European integration by promoting various dimensions of connectivity in Europe. It enables the free movement of citizens within the EU, a core principle of the EU. This means that people can travel, work, and live in other member states without restrictions. This mobility makes the labor market more flexible and open. Furthermore, mobility promotes cross-border trade and investment.

In the field of education and research, programs such as Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020 promote the mobility of students, teachers, and researchers within Europe. Mobility in education also contributes to strengthening European identity, as people from different cultural backgrounds come into contact and develop a better understanding of the diversity within the Union. Culture and tourism also benefit from the interaction of different European cultures and traditions. This promotes a stronger sense of European community and understanding.

Mobility also supports political dialogue and cooperation between EU member states. By bringing people from different countries into contact with each other, cross-border issues such as environmental policy, security, and human rights are discussed more intensively. Furthermore, mobility promotes exchange about political systems and the development of shared values.

Overall, mobility contributes to overcoming barriers, be they economic, social, or political. It strengthens ties between Member States and supports the creation of a common European market and closer cooperation in many areas. Mobility creates a sense of belonging to a common European community, which ultimately strengthens European integration.

Salzburg Congress,  Europasaal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg

MODERATION

Michael Kretz

Managing Director RegionalMedien Salzburg, Austria

KEYNOTE

Apostolos Tzitzikostas

EU Commissioner for Sustainable Mobility & Tourism

INTERVIEW

Alexander Pertsovsky  (tbc)

CEO Ukrainian Railways Ukrzaliznytsia

PANEL

Ralph Beisel   

Managing Director German Airport Alliance ADV, Germany

Cornelia Breuß

Director General for Mobility in the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, Austria

Annick De Ridder   (tbc)

Minister for Transport, Public Works and Ports, Government of Flanders, Belgium

Ilka Dubernet  (tbc)

Head of Unit, Institute for Traffic and Mobility Research, German Aerospace Center, Germany

Representative of ÖBB Austrian Federal Railways  (tbc)

Tibor Navracsics

Minister of Public Administration and Regional Development, Hungary

Åsa Ågren Wikström 

Member of Västerbotten County Council, Vice Chair Scandria-Alliance, Sweden

INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP

War of words – disinformation campaigns against European democracy

In cooperation with the Multilateral Dialogue - Konrad-Adenauer Foundation

Monday 29th September 2025
5.15 PM

Salzburg Congress

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg

The threat to democratic processes and social coexistence posed by disinformation and hybrid attacks is rapidly increasing. FIMI (Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference) by Russian actors is intensifying in particular. This interactive workshop will discuss current goals, narratives, strategies, and actors, and explore countermeasures.

MODERATION

Sebastian Enskat

Head of Multilateral Dialogue Konrad-Adenauer Foundation Vienna

Michael Stellwag

Project Manager, Multilateral Dialogue Konrad-Adenauer Foundation Vienna

SPEAKER

TBC

In cooperation with:

EVENING EVENT

Salzburg Evening

Monday 29th September 2025
7 PM

Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln

Lindhofstrasse 7, 5020 Salzburg

The “Bräustübl”, the largest beer restaurant in Austria, has been around since 1621 – more than 400 years ago. The beer comes from wooden barrels and is served in stone mugs, accompanied by traditional dishes. Participants of the Salzburg Europe Summit have the opportunity to have interesting, informal conversations and network in a friendly atmosphere. The Bräustübl is a place of encounter, of tradition - a piece of living history in the center of Salzburg's world cultural heritage.

WELCOME

Helmut Falschlehner

Member of the Board of IRE

MUSIC

Ensemble DANICA

Head: Zoran Šijaković

DIALOGUE V

The Future of the Circular Economy

An event held during the Austria-Liechtenstein EUSALP Presidency

EUSALP - EU Macroregional Strategy for the Alpine Region

Tuesday, 22nd October 2024
9 AM

Salzburg Congress,  Herbert von Karajan Saal

Auerspergstrasse 6, 5020 Salzburg

LIVESTREAM

MODERATION

Werner Sejka

Puls 4

INTRODUCTION

Harald Stranzl

Ambassador, Coordinator EUSALP, Foreign Ministry of Austria

PANEL

Sebastian Gann (tbc)

Director for Sustainability, ZUMTOBEL Group

Oliver Lorenz

Managing Director, HILTI Austria GmbH, Liechtenstein/Austria

Tamara Myers

SDG Expert, SOURCE, Switzerland 

In cooperation with:

EXCURSIONS

Excursions - best practice

Tuesday, 30th September 2025

12 AM

Venue TBC