Days following the official visit of President Salome Zourabichvili to the Republic of Austria, during which she called on Vienna-based Georgian cultural figures to participate in the development of Georgia, musicians Ketevan Sepashvili and Temo Kharshiladze took on the call and sent rare-edition music sheet books that were presented to the Talent Decade Tbilisi Musical School by Mr. Vladimer Onoprishvili, Advisor to the President on Cultural Affairs.

The Vienna musicians also gifted CDs of the works of Giya Kancheli, which the Administration sets to distribute as presents to high-level guests in a move to popularize Georgian music.

During the CNC board meeting board members and secretaries discussed the issues for searching new ways and possibilities for cooperation and fundraising, developed strategic plan for 2017-2018. The countries introduced advocacy activities during this period.Board Members discussed issues for developing CNC projects and budget issues. CNC general assembly will be held in November 2016.
IZ project coordinator Gertraud Illmeir conducted the training for communication officers.The main topic of the training was preparing and taking interviews. Communication officers improved the knowledge and skills in practical manner. Based on the practice was interviewed Mrs. Stephanie Aunzinger, manager of Erasmus+ program in Intercultural Center IZ and another interview was with Austrian Development Agency (ADA) representative Barbara Konzet. After these interviews communication officers got the information about both programs, organizations. The work of communication officers was introduced to CNC board members. 

“The European Union is concerned by the recent conclusion of the so-called ‘Agreement on the State Border’ by the Russian Federation with the breakaway region of South Ossetia,” the EU said in a Statement during the Permanent Council meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the Austrian capital Vienna on 5 May.
“This action, together with previous so-called agreements signed between the Russian Federation and the two Georgian breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, the ‘treaties on Alliance and Strategic Partnership/ Integration’ – which include references to a transfer of powers in some areas - further violates the fundamental norms of international law, including the principles of inviolability of Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognised borders as well as Russia’s international commitments under the August 2008 Ceasefire Agreement,” the Statement added.
The EU has also expressed its deep concern about the ‘referendum’ announced  in the breakaway region of South Ossetia that, according to the EU Statement, “is aimed at rewriting article 10 of the so-called ‘constitution’ of the breakaway region of South Ossetia and opening the prospects of joining the Russian Federation”.
In the Statement the EU reiterated that it does not recognise the constitutional and illegal framework in which such a referendum would take place. “Such illegal processes and steps go against ongoing efforts to strengthen security and stability in the region,” the EU emphasised.
“The European Union reiterates its firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders,“ the EU Statement concluded calling on Russia to fulfil its obligations under the ceasefire agreement of 12 August 2008 and its subsequent implementing measures of 8 September 2008, including providing access of the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) in Georgia to the breakaway regions. (EU Neighbourhood Info).