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Klaus Schmied, Lauri Bambus, Eesti suursaadik Austrias Eve-Külli Kala, Sabine Schmied and Josef Pühringer. Linz, 5.04.2011. Photo: flickr.com

Estonian Ambassador Eve-Külli Kala said at the opening that Estonia's new honorary consulate in Upper Austria will help to create even closer economic and cultural ties than before.

"Linz, which economically is the most successful state capital in Austria, is a good base for strengthening co-operation between Estonia and Austria," said the ambassador.

Undersecretary Lauri Bambus added that every country needs friends in the world, and honorary consuls are representatives of Estonia that help to introduce our country and provide a helping hand to Estonian citizens.

About 150 representatives of Upper Austria's local governments, business, cultural and research circles, and the consular corps attended the opening of the honorary consulate, including Governor of Upper Austria Josef Pühringer, who in his opening speech set Estonia as an example for all of Austria. The governor praised Estonia's activities in getting out of the economic crisis as well as its efficiency and courage in joining the euro zone.

Prior to the opening of the honorary consulate, Undersecretary Lauri Bambus, Ambassador Eve-Külle Kala, and Honorary Consul Klaus Schmied met with vice president of the Upper Austrian Economic Chamber Ulrike Rabmer-Koller and Mayor of Linz Franz Dobusch. At the meeting, they discussed opportunities for developing business ties and exchange programs for young artists.

Riina Leminsky and Evely Baum from the Hamburg representation of Enterprise Estonia spoke at the opening, introducing investment opportunities in Estonia and showing the country as an attractive tourism destination. Violinist Mari-Liis Uibo, who studies in a violin virtuoso class, performed pieces by Pärt and Valgre at the opening.

Klaus Schmied was born in Linz in 1957. After graduating from university in 1982 he began working at the glasses frame production company founded by his parents, Silhouette International Schmied AG. He has been on the board of the company since 2000 and is responsible for, among other areas, production, financial matters, the workforce, and logistics. In addition to representations in Europe, Silhouette also has production in the United States and Japan. The company co-operates with Adidas, among others, and is one of the biggest glasses frame producers in the world.

Estonia's other honorary consulates in Austria are located in Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz.