Bregenz (VLK) – Cross-border challenges and diverse fields of activity in the coming year were the focus of the traditional New Year's reception today (9 January) with members of the consular corps responsible for Vorarlberg. The State Governor, Markus Wallner, emphasized the importance of internationality and networking for Vorarlberg and thanked the representatives of the consular body for the work carried out in the previous year.
Governor Wallner stressed that Vorarlberg was not thrown off course by the various crises of the past year: “We are essentially a strong and resilient country.” In difficult times, reliability and a clear direction are particularly necessary. That's why it's more important than ever to take responsibility, be aware of your own strengths and look ahead. According to Wallner, the work motto is “maintain stability and invest in the future”. In this sense, the state government is defining clear priorities. In 2024, the country will continue to support the population with relief measures and increasingly combat the shortage of qualified workers. In addition, childcare is being expanded in conjunction with communities, the state government's housing package is being implemented, and work is being done to achieve ambitious climate and energy goals.
Internationality as a strength
As part of the New Year's reception, political scientist and expert on Eastern Europe Univ.-Prof. Gerhard Mangott on the current situation of the war in Ukraine.
Governor Wallner explained: “Globalization has led to worldwide linkages and dependencies. The effects of conflict do not stop at borders. They affect us particularly hard as an export-oriented place.” Internationality is a proven strength of Vorarlberg, says Wallner: “It is a success factor, it is a key to overcoming many of the main challenges of our time.” Vorarlberg benefits in many ways from cross-border networks. The governor thus described consular representations as “important links between Vorarlberg and abroad”.
A total of 47 consular representations are currently created in Vorarlberg. 15 of them are based in Vorarlberg; the only professional consulate is the Turkish Consulate General in Wolfurt.
The following consular missions participated in the reception:
– Consuls General Gülseren Celik (Turkey) and Vera Vukićević (Serbia), Consul General Florea Radu-Dumitru (Romania)
– Honorary Consuls General Alois Schranz (Bangladesh), Anwer Azeem Ahmed (Pakistan) and Leo Peter Exner (Japan)
– and honorary consuls Hubert Bertsch (Russia), Stefan Alexander Delacher (France), Werner Deuring (Italy), Harald Gohm (Netherlands), Armand Hausmann (Luxembourg), Josef Höger (Slovenia), Philipp Längle (Spain), Wolfgang Meixner (Cape Verde), Michael Nemes (Hungary), Markus Purtscher (Denmark), Manfred Rützler (Jordan), Reinhard Schertler (Finland), Paul Senger-Weiss (Great Britain/Northern Ireland), Viktor Thurnher (Germany), Roderich Urschler (Lesotho), Katharina Wagensonner (Belgium), Lothar Ernest Wolff (Brazil) and Ernst Wunderbaldinger (Portugal).