Habsburg Birthday: Address on the Future of Europe

Karl von Habsburg’s 60th birthday serves as the setting for a keynote address on Europe – messages of greeting from across Europe and from the EU Commission have been announced.

Karl von Habsburg’s upcoming 60th birthday serves as the setting for the ‘Address on the Future of Europe’, a keynote speech on the forthcoming challenges facing our continent. ‘A milestone birthday should not just be a reason to celebrate; above all, given a round number, it is an opportunity for critical reflection,’ says Habsburg regarding the intention behind it.

Karl’s father, Otto von Habsburg, always used birthdays as an occasion to take a critical look at current events and broader strategic goals, attempting to place daily European politics in a larger context. ‘I wish to continue this tradition,’ emphasises Karl von Habsburg, who already raised geopolitical questions concerning Europe in his ‘Address on the Future of Europe’ in 2018.

On the occasion of the birthday and the ‘Address on the Future of Europe’, EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, former Bulgarian Minister for European Affairs Gergana Passy (who is also President of the Paneuropa-Union Bulgaria), and former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Jan Balkenende, have conveyed political messages. Further friends of the celebrant, including Asfa-Wossen Asserate and Rudolf Klausnitzer, will also join with messages of greeting.

Due to the current restrictions to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s event will take place online. Media representatives can register at any time via the following email address: privatkanzlei@habsburg.com

Media representatives are especially warmly invited to this online event. Our office is happy to answer any questions or provide further information in advance.

The online event ‘Address on the Future of Europe’ is organised by the organisations in which Karl von Habsburg holds leadership positions: Paneuropean Movement Austria, St. George’s Order, Ordo Equestris Vini Europae, Blue Shield, and Catholic-Austrian Student Fraternities.