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Spindelegger: UN Headquarters are part of international image |
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Spindelegger: "The UN Headquarters in Vienna are part of our international self-image"
Foreign Minister on the 30th anniversary of the UN Headquarters in ViennaVienna, 28 August 2009 - "Since 1979, the UN Headquarters have been a characterizing element of the Vienna skyline, and a visible symbol of the long-standing cooperation and solid partnership between the United Nations and Austria. Meanwhile, the UN Headquarters in Vienna have become a part of our identity and our international self-image“, said Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger during today’s events surrounding the 30th anniversary of the Vienna International Centre (VIC), which was celebrated in the presence of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Spindelegger: "It is a special sign of recognition that United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has come to Vienna, thus acknowledging Austria’s decade-long work in the United Nations. Ever since 1955, our engagement in the United Nations has been one of the supporting pillars of Austrian foreign policy. From the very beginning, we regarded ourselves as active determinants. Our current membership in the UN Security Council is a visible expression of that approach. We will certainly continue the traditionally close and intensive cooperation between Austria and the United Nations in the future."
The VIC, which opened on 23 August 1979 after six years of construction, accommodates a series of important UN Agencies: these include the UN Organisation for Industrial Development (UNIDO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs(UNOOSA).
Spindelegger: "During the last 30 years, Vienna succeeded in consolidating and strengthening its role as a UN seat and as a centre of competence on security issues. In recent years, the tasks of the UN units established here in Austria have become increasingly important, a fact reflected in the role played by the IAEA in the nuclear dispute with Iran. Today, Vienna is an important intersection in international security architecture and enjoys an excellent reputation as a place of encounter and international dialogue. Moreover, being the only UN Headquarters within the EU, it offers several connecting factors for an increasing networking between the UN and the EU."
The Foreign Minister also pointed out to the positive economic impact that the headquarters have had on Vienna and Austria as a whole: As shown by a recent study carried out by Ernst&Young, the positive annual net effect of international organizations in Austria amounts to approximately 400 million Euros. According to the study, the permanent international presence did not only create numerous jobs, but has also strengthened Vienna's position as an important international conference city. This benefits the hotel and restaurant business, as well as several production and service companies. In 2008 alone, conference tourism contributed 190.5 million Euros to Austria’s gross domestic product.
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