The Europa Forum in Wachau was first held in 1995, the year Austria joined the European Union. The choice of venue was no coincidence: the imposing Benedictine monastery in Göttweig draws attention to the spiritual and intellectual significance of Christianity in Europe. The proximity of the Danube underscores the importance of regional relations, while also clearly reflecting Austria’s foreign policy ambitions: it aims to be a forum and catalyst for discourse on the continent’s future, as well as a key player in political and economic processes.
The event, organised between 11 and 13 June 2025, entitled ‘Facing Challenges – Embracing Visions,’ coordinated by the new president, Michael Linhart, former foreign minister, primarily reflected on the challenges posed by the Russian-Ukrainian war. Ukraine’s EU perspective was also on the agenda in several contexts, with presentations and panel discussions mainly on energy supply and agricultural issues.
Our exhibition on Otto von Habsburg was realised with the support of the Lower Austrian government, which was arranged during our visit to Sankt Pölten in the spring.
At the second day’s plenary opening ceremony in the Benedictine abbey in Göttweig, the director of our Foundation pointed out that Otto’s birthplace, Reichenau, was his primary connection to Lower Austria, while as a former Benedictine student, his life also fits perfectly with the spirit of the place. Gergely Prőhle highlighted that in Otto von Habsburg, both Hungarians and Austrians can honour one of the founding fathers of European integration, who was as committed to Austria’s accession to the EU thirty years ago as he was to the accession of the Central and Eastern European countries in 2004. As a Member of the European Parliament and an active shaper of public opinion, Otto von Habsburg took many concrete steps towards the completion of European integration.
The exhibition was met with great interest from the political, economic and public figures in attendance, and Abbot Patrick Schöder warmly welcomed the fact that a “former Benedictine student had returned to his natural environment”.
In addition to Gergely Prőhle’s speech, footage of all sessions can be viewed on the forum’s website.
