Former boss shifts role to take on special coordination duties within Ukraine's administrational framework.
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On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) will unveil Austria's special envoy for Ukraine's reconstruction. This announcement, made at the Council of Ministers meeting in the afternoon, is reportedly none other than Wolfgang Anzengruber, the ex-CEO of Verbund, according to APA. The "Presse" newsletter, "Kurier", and "Standard" have also confirmed that Anzengruber is set to tackle this role.
Meinl-Reisinger has made Ukraine a top priority. Her second overseas trip as Foreign Minister led her to Kyiv, where she met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. She also appointed the then-Austrian ambassador to Ukraine, Arad Benko, as her cabinet chief. In the aftermath of the conflict, she sees a wealth of opportunities for Austrian businesses, as she emphasized during her visit to Kyiv. Austria currently has a national contact for Ukraine's reconstruction, established in 2022 following Russia's attack.
Meinl-Reisinger has positioned Austria as a "reliable partner" in Ukraine's reconstruction, highlighting ongoing efforts in energy infrastructure, housing, and efficiency projects, despite the ongoing war. Anzengruber, the new special coordinator, has an arduous task ahead but emphasizes the importance of leveraging Austria’s economic expertise while navigating security concerns.
Anzengruber, a former CEO of Verbund (Austria's largest electricity company), has a history of leadership roles, including at Salzburg AG and the Palfinger Group. He served as CEO of Verbund AG from 2009 to 2020. He will be based at the Chancellor's Office as Ukraine's special coordinator, set to liaise between business and political stakeholders, forging connections between Vienna, Brussels, and Kyiv through the Contact Center for Ukraine’s Reconstruction at Austria’s Foreign Ministry.
Key responsibilities for Anzengruber include internal coordination of Austria’s reconstruction initiatives, representing Austrian interests internationally, and addressing investment risks, including insurance challenges. He will also focus on promoting sectors such as sustainable energy, infrastructure, machinery, and financial services.
- Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger is appointing Wolfgang Anzengruber, the former CEO of Verbund, as Austria's special envoy for Ukraine's reconstruction.
- Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has previously met with Meinl-Reisinger during her second overseas trip as Foreign Minister.
- Arad Benko, who was the Austrian ambassador to Ukraine, was later appointed as Meinl-Reisinger's cabinet chief.
- Anzengruber will be based at the Chancellor's Office and will focus on promoting sectors such as sustainable energy, infrastructure, machinery, and financial services during his tenure as Ukraine's special coordinator.
