30 Years in the EU

RSVP before Wednesday 4th June

2025 marks three decades since Austria, Finland and Sweden became valued members of the European Union.

To celebrate this milestone, join an evening of discussion with the Ambassadors of Austria, Finland and Sweden to Australia. This will be followed by a Q&A, joined by the Ambassador of the European Union to Australia. A reception held at the ANU will conclude the event, with refreshments and canapés. This event will be held on the 11th June 2025, from 18:00 to 19:30.

Panellists:

H.E. Elisabeth Kögler, Ambassador of Austria to Australia

Ms. Elisabeth Kögler has served as the Ambassador of Austria to Australia since December 2023. In addition to her posting in Australia, she is also accredited to New Zealand, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.  Ambassador Kögler’s diplomatic career spans postings in Albania, India, UN in NY, UK and several key positions within the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, including Head of the Department for EU Coordination, Coordinator Cyberdiplomacy, Deputy Head of the Department for Security Policy.

H.E. Arto Haapea, Ambassador of Finland to Australia

Mr Arto Haapea is the Ambassador of Finland to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands. He previously served as Director of the Unit for East and Southeast Asia and Oceania at Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs (2020–2024), overseeing relations with 29 countries and ASEAN. His past postings include New Delhi, Beijing, Shanghai, The Hague, and the UN in New York. Before joining the Foreign Service, he worked as a Publishing Manager. Mr Haapea holds a Master’s in Law from the University of Helsinki and enjoys running, scuba diving, and classical music. 


H.E. Pontus Melander, Ambassador of Sweden to Australia

Mr. Pontus Melander is the Ambassador of Sweden to Australia as of October 2022. He is also the Ambassador of Sweden to New Zealand, the Republic of Fiji, Tonga and Tavalu. Previously, he served as Deputy Head of the Security Department at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and as Sweden's Ambassador to Iraq between 2017 and 2019. He has held various positions at Swedish embassies in Canada, the United States, and the EU in Brussels.   Mr. Melander holds a Master's degree in Politics, Economy, and International Law from the University of Lund (1989) and has undergone higher management training with the Swedish Armed Forces and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

Special Guest:

H.E. Gabriele Visentin, Ambassador of the European Union to Australia

Mr. Gabriele Visentin took office as the European Union Ambassador to Australia in November 2022.Prior to his arrival in Australia, Mr. Visentin was the EU Special Envoy for the Indo-Pacific and previously served as Head of the Parliamentary Affairs Division in the European External Action Service for several years. Earlier in his career, Mr. Visentin was an official of the European Commission and served in the Directorate General for External Relations. Mr. Visentin was also Head of Cabinet to the last President of the ECSC (European Community for Steel and Coal) and Advisor on European affairs to the Italian Minister of Industry, Energy and International Trade. He holds a degree in law and is specialized in International and Community law.