CERCLE DIPLOMATIQUE - issue 04/2018

L’AUTRICHE HONORARY DUTY
PROMOTION
Ganz rechts: Portugals Botschafter, S.E.
António Almeida Ribeiro (Mitte) zu Gast in
Innsbruck, bei Tirols Landeshauptmann
Günther Platter. Far right: The Ambassador of
Portugal, H.E. António Almeida Ribeiro (m.),
while visiting Tyrol‘s Governor Günther Platter.
Ein Land im Aufschwung
A country gains traction
In den ersten drei Monaten 2018 wuchs
Portugals Wirtschaft um 2,1%. Dies ist die
Fortsetzung der positiven Wirtschaftsentwicklung,
die sich bereits im Jahr 2017 mit dem
höchsten jährlichen Wirtschaftswachstum
(+2,7%) des Jahrhunderts manifestierte. Neben
dem Tourismus tragen auch die steigenden
Exporte, eine höhere Inlandsnachfrage sowie
der Bausektor maßgeblich zu diesem Wachstum
bei. Nach einem rekordverdächtigen Plus von
24% im Gesamtjahr 2017 stiegen die
österreichischen Exporte nach Portugal im
ersten Quartal 2018 weiter an (+9,3%). Für
Überraschung sorgte jedoch eine Importsteigerung
von +54,7%. Diese ist fast ausschließlich
auf Kfz-Importe aus Portugal zurückzuführen.
Die Arbeitslosigkeit sinkt weiter. Im ersten
Quartal 2018 lag die Rate bei 7,9.
the first three months of 2018, Portugal’s
economy grew by 2.1%. This continues the
nation’s positive economic development which
already manifested in the biggest annual
economic growth rate of the century (+2.7%).
Next to tourism, it is also the increasing exports,
amplified domestic demand and the construction
industry that are contributing to these
numbers. Following what was likely a
record-breaking plus of 24% in the overall year
of 2017, Austrian exports to Portugal continued
to increase in the first quarter of 2018 (+9.3%).
A real surprise, however, was the import
increase of +54.7%, largely a result of increased
motor vehicle imports from Portugal.
Unemployment continues to fall. In the first
quarter of 2018, the rate was at 7.9%.
Quelle/Source: WKO
Farbenfrohe Impression aus Lissabon.
Colourful impression of Lisbon.
around 10 years ago. They are well known
as excellent construction workers and good
skilled labourers in general. Many of them
decided to stay in Tyrol.
What are the connections between Tyrol and
Portugal and how are they intensified, by you as
well?
As an honorary consul, I also report on
changes and developments in the areas of
culture and the economy. This may also include
political statements. One economic
sector with immense promise is tourism,
where a lot is happening right now — Austrians
are investing in property developments
and golf courses in Portugal. I also
support Portuguese businesses when it comes
to settling in other countries. Additionally,
there is a lot of exchange with companies
in Eastern Europe, especially
industrial firms and construction firms
who want to commence trade and who I
am assisting in this endeavour.
You are also active as a vice president of the
“Österreichisch-Portugiesische Gesellschaft”
(“Austrian-Portuguese Society”)
In Joana Daniel-Wrabetz, whose husband
was accredited as an Austrian ambassador
to Portugal, we have a very active
president. We also look after the youth,
such as, for example, with dance events and
Taekwondo lessons. And we promote cultural
engagement. We offer language lessons
in Portuguese and German, for adolescents
as well as adults.
Among other things, we also organise
readings by Portuguese writers and promote
the exhibition of Portuguese films that
have received Austrian awards.
And we have a culinary programme:
with port wine or Portuguese wine sampling
and even gourmet travel journeys,
which we often present.
Which of Portugal’s regions have you already
visited over the years?
Geographically, Portugal is an astonishing
country. I visit at least once a year. I
like to be in the Azores, Porto Santo and on
Madeira, where you can hike along the irrigation
canals. Not that many people know
that these brilliant islands belong to Portugal.
From the Algarve for sun worshippers,
the mountains in the central region and
even the steppe, all the way to the westernmost
part of Europe with Lisbon, Sintra
and Porto and around the Douro river with
excellent steep slope vineyards, the country
offers something for every travel taste. In
the autumn, I would strongly recommend
whale and dolphin watching.
Historically speaking, there are also several
interesting connections to Austria.
Emperor Maximilian I was born in Wiener
Neustadt to a Portuguese mother. In 2019,
an entire memorial year will be dedicated to
him with “Max 500”, along with exhibitions
and a range of activities. Madeira also has a
historic relationship with Austria, since the
last Austrian emperor, Charles I, spent his
time in exile there and died there, too.
Do the various honorary consuls network and
communicate internationally?
We had a global meeting of consuls in
Portugal where funding for development in
Portugal, the economic situation, tourism
and legal matters were under discussion.
The event brought together around 200
consuls, ranging from representatives from
Australia, the USA and Eastern Europe, as
well as from Pakistan and Bangladesh.
And the Baltic States are also very interested
when it comes to forming new
friendships. It’s a fantastic network.
Do you speak Portuguese or are you currently
learning to speak it? And can you already sing
along to the national anthem?
Well, the main languages of the honorary
consuls are English and Spanish. I also
speak French and a little bit of Portuguese.
And yes, I can sing along to the national
anthem.
Honorarkonsul Erich
Wunderbaldinger mit
CD-Chefredakteurin Daniela
Pötzl im Hotel Bristol Wien.
Honorary Consul Ernst
Wunderbaldinger with Daniela
Pötzl, CD-Editor in chief, at the
Hotel Bristol Vienna.
FOTOS: RALPH MANFREDA (3), FOTOLIA
ENTGELTLICHE EINSCHALTUNG • PHOTO: BMDW/HARTBERGER
Sucesses of the Austrian Presidency
of the Council of the EU
After 1998 and 2006, Austria holds the Presidency
of the Council of the European Union for the third
time from July to December 2018. The Austrian Federal
Government has drawn up a National Presidency
Programme, which defines priorities. Following
the Presidency’s motto „A Europe that
protects“, the main focus of the Presidency was placed
on 1) security and the fight against illegal migration,
2) securing prosperity and competitiveness
through digitalisation and 3) stability in the European
neighbourhood – EU perspective of the Western
Balkans.
New European industrial policy
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs
has contributed significantly to a European industrial
strategy post 2030. In order to raise awareness
of a new – innovative and digital – industrial
policy, the competitiveness ministers (internal market
and industry) agreed on a threefold approach in
Vienna on July, 16th:
Boost innovation - focusing on Europe’s substantial
competitive advantage by strengthening the innovation
principle.
Make good use of digitalisation - recognising and
harnessing the major potential of artificial intelligence
(AI), using digitalisation to reindustrialise
Europe.
Build on skills - remaining prepared for the future
with highly qualified skilled workers.
The Presidency Paper “Rethinking European Industry”
presents visions and inputs for strengthening
the innovation capacity of EU industry, capturing
the potential of digitalisation and AI and the skills
needed for digital transformation. Monitoring mechanisms
for the implementation of European industrial
policy and for effective governance structures
were discussed as well.
Prosperity and competitiveness through digitalisation and skills
Among the Presidency’s ambitions is making full use
of the potential of digitalisation, AI and robotics for
business and industry - to safeguard Europe’s prosperity
and competitiveness. Decisive steps were taken
towards a digital single market in Europe. The roaming
directive and the regulation on the Single Digital
Gateway, which have been adopted during the Austrian
Presidency, are examples that create benefits for all
users and dismantle barriers impeding use in the European
Union.
No success without skills: A well-established and
functioning professional education system is an important
factor for economic development and offers
young people a stable base for successful future careers.
Innovative vocational education - the best practice
Austrian model - was intensively promoted and
discussed at the European Vocational Skills Week in
Vienna.
Trade as a driver for innovation and growth
EU trade agreements are an opportunity to shape globalisation
based on European values. During the informal
trade ministers’ meeting on October, 5th in
Innsbruck, the Austrian Presidency supported the
EU’s common strategy to not only further develop the
global trade system by new rules that take into account
current developments in our globalised world,
but also to combat unfair trade practices. This can be
achieved by modernising the World Trade Organization
(WTO) and by concluding trade agreements with
like-minded partners who share similar values. In this
vein, negotiations on free trade agreements were recently
started with Australia and New Zealand. The
Austrian Presidency highly welcomes the agreement
of the EU and the US to start talks on abolishing tariffs
on industrial goods, non-tariff trade barriers and subsidies
and on establishing a dialogue on standards -
keeping in mind that the US is Austria’s second most
important export destination. An important milestone
was the signature of a free trade agreement and an
investment protection agreement with Singapore at
the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in
Brussels on October, 18th and 19th 2018.
INFO
www.eu2018.at
www.bmdw.gv.at
78 Cercle Diplomatique 4/2018