ABOUT THE INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION (IORA)

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), initially known as the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative and Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), is an International/Diplomatic Organization with 20 Member States that includes:

FRENCH BUDGET AND THE RULES OF THE GAME

In order to improve coordination and surveillance at the euro area-level, all euro area Member States submit by mid-October their draft budgetary plans containing a detailed presentation of the planned budget for the forthcoming year. The Commission examines and provides an opinion on each of the plans; in case of severe non-compliance of a plan with the obligations under Stability and Growth Pact, the Commission may request that a revised plan be submitted.

AUSTRIAN LOBBYING LAW AT A GLANCE

Lobbying regulations can promote different levels of transparency and accountability. In July 2012, Austria passed its first piece of legislation aimed at regulating the relationship between interest groups and public officeholders. The Austrian legislation of 2012 established a mandatory register and a formal set of rules including registration requirements, some spending disclosure requirements and sanctions for non-compliance.

The Austrian regulation presents the following characteristics:

BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE PUBLIC DIPLOMACY AND OUTREACH PROGRAMME IN THE EU

The main objective of a foreign country's Public Diplomacy and Outreach Programme in the European Unionis to build on current political, economic and cultural relationships as well as deepening those ties.

The Public Diplomacy and Outreach Expert is the main individual for designing and implementing Public Diplomacy and Outreach activities. In consultation with the Head of the Foreign Mission, s/he

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF PUBLIC DIPLOMACY PROFESSIONALS

Public Diplomacy professionals need different skills than traditional diplomats. Because the scope of a Public diplomacy professional’s mandate is to reach a much broader and more diverse segment of society, he or she needs to:

THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF MEMBER STATES’ EMBASSIES IN THE EU

While the Council framework is a significant factor influencing the daily work of Member States’ bilateral embassies in the EU, there are issues and policies where bilateral embassies act as an important interlocutor for domestic line ministries seeking input and information from counterparts in other Member State governments. Indeed, it is only the embassy on the spot that can deliver a broad overall assessment of the pattern of relations between a country and the host EU state.

NORWEGIAN PRESENCE IN BRUSSELS

The Mission of Norway to the European Union represents the Norwegian government on all EU-related issues. With a staff of about 50 people, most of whom are seconded to the Mission by different ministries in Oslo, the Mission maintains and develops co-operative relations between Norway and the EU.

The role of the Mission is

OVERCOMING EU LEVEL PUBLIC DIPLOMACY CHALLENGES BY FOREIGN MISSIONS

The task of directing a Foreign Mission’s communications programme and public policy efforts is usually entrusted to the Public Affairs Office. The section informs and engages European audiences in discussions about the country’s policies, society, and cooperation with the EU on a global agenda.

PUBLIC DIPLOMACY 101

Public diplomacy is an evolving concept. However, in simplest terms it is understood to be the effort by the government of one country to influence the public or elite opinion of another country for the purpose of turning the policy of the target nation to its advantage. Public diplomacy is work or activities undertaken to understand, engage and inform individuals and organisations in other countries in order to shape their perceptions in ways that will promote a country’s foreign policy goals.

AUSTRALIAN PRESENCE IN THE EU AT A GLANCE

Austria

  • Australian Mission and Permanent Mission to the UN, Vienna
  • Austrade Office in Frankfurt, Germany
  • Australian Tourism Office in Frankfurt, Germany

Belgium

  • Australian Embassy to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union, and NATO
  • Austrade Office in Paris, France
  • Australian Tourism Office in London, UK

Bulgaria

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