EU PRESIDENCY TORCHPASSING: JANUARY 9-10, 2006

UNCLAS VIENNA 003889

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/ERA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON CVIS AU EUN
SUBJECT: EU PRESIDENCY TORCHPASSING: JANUARY 9-10, 2006


1. This is an action request - please see paragraph 4.


2. Embassy Vienna is pleased to host the EU Presidency
torch-passing from the United Kingdom to Austria for USG
officers on January 9-10, 2006. Post welcomes participants
from the State Department, USEU, and Embassies London and
Helsinki. The torchpassing will be an opportunity to discuss
current US-EU issues and Austrian priorities. We plan to
cover political, economic, public diplomacy, and consular
issues.


3. A detailed schedule and participant list will be sent out
closer to the date of the torchpassing. At present, we plan
to begin at 10AM on January 9 with a briefing by the Austrian
Foreign Ministry on Austria's priorities for its presidency.
We are planning a reception the evening of January 9 with GoA
contacts working on EU issues.


4. Action request: Please send country clearance requests
for those who will attend the torchpassing no later than
December 23 so that we can finalize our plans and confirm
hotel reservations. If you have logistical questions, please
contact Econ Unit Chief Phil Nelson at nelsonpr@state.gov.


MCCAW