IFIMES for the Euro-Mediterranean Diplomacy and Intercultural Affairs
LJUBLJANA/VIENNA, 5. January 2021 – Former Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Ambassador Lamberto Zannier, has become Director of Euro-Mediterranean Diplomacy and Intercultural Affairs (EDIA) at the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES). He thus replaced Archduchess Camilla Habsburg-Lothringen, who held the same position in the period 2016-2020.
The directors of IFIMES, Dr. Zijad Bećirović and Bakhatyar Aljaf, emphasized that they were especially glad that the institute received reinforcement in the person of Ambassador Zannier, whose reputation, experience and enthusiasm will give new impetus to the work of IFIMES.
“We are highly honored that our esteemed colleague, Excellency Zannier, will be with us in the future. Only through the importance of cooperation of various actors in building a better society, while gathered in the idea of a better tomorrow, we can understand and overcome many differences between us. This is the only way to solve problems and challenges. The fact that Ambassador Zannier served in the Balkans (2008-11), led the OSCE as its Secretary-General for two consecutive terms (2011-2017), and was the OSCE Commissioner for National Minorities (2017-2020) is of immense importance to our Istitute. It is difficult to find a more competent person anywhere in the world than Ambassador Lambert Zannier. Once again, we are so proud to have him in the leadership of the IFIMES Institute. “
Head of IFIMES Mission in Vienna, prof. Dr. Anis H. Bajrektarević underlined the importance of the Euro-Mediterranean theater, as a core region – a cradle of civilization, for the intercultural cooperation which is one of the key challenges of the modern world.
“The OSCE is the only organization whose pan-continental mechanism includes the so-called Mediterranean partnership. Thus, besides the UN, it is the only multilateral system that brings together Arabs and Israel. Therefore, I am convinced that our joint action will further strengthen IFIMES activities in the Euro-Mediterranean area, which is indispensable for Europe’s future.”
