VASILE VLASIN-EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE DIRECTOR: DEBRE LIBANOS IS A MIRACLE OF NATURE AND ART

During an official visit to Ethiopia, ECTT President, Professor Dr. Anton Caragea inaugurated the celebrations marking the inscription of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia`s capital on the WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM list and have a line of high level talks in order to address the advancement of tourism in Ethiopia and the key role of the sector in the country’s social-economic development. (Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, 30 January-8 February 2019).

 

 

Debre Libanos Monastery and natural preserve has provoked awe to the ECTT executives. European Council on Tourism and Trade Director Vasile Vlasin declared that Debre Libanos is one of the world`s top natural and architectural marvels.

 

 

 

The Government of Ethiopia and the Government of Addis Ababa are currently implementing a number of strategic measures to further develop the country’s tourism sector, including investment in infrastructure and capacity building on destination management and product development, through the recently established Tourism Transformation Council.

 

 

Upon an invitation by H.E. Mrs. Sahle Work Zewde F.D.R Ethiopia President, European Council on Tourism and Trade President H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea had visited Ethiopia at the head of a high level delegation.

 

These measures reflect how tourism is firmly established among the development drivers of the country, said Head of Government of Addis Ababa Takele Uma Benti in a meeting with President Dr. Anton Caragea, where he expressed his full support to the tourism sector, and the commitment of the Ethiopian government to make sustainability a priority in future tourism development.

 

 

 

Ethiopian art enthused all the representatives of the global tourism institution.

 

European Council on Tourism and Trade President Dr. Anton Caragea commended Ethiopia for the political support awarded to the tourism sector and in particular for integrating tourism as part of its development policy.

 

In 2015 after the decision taken by the European Council on Tourism and Trade to select Ethiopia as the receiver of the WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION award the country registered an influx of over 1 million tourists and earned more than 2 billion dollars in 2015/2016 tourism year, numbers never achieved before and after in the Ethiopia`s tourism history.

 

 

The Head of Global Tourism Institution-ECTT H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea gives the start of Addis Ababa Culture and Tourism Festival and of Addis Ababa-WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM manifestations.

 

 

The decision to inscribe Addis Ababa as a WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM will give a new impetus to the country and support is further development appreciated President Dr. Anton Caragea.

 

During his official visit, President Dr. Anton Caragea opened the cultural festival of Addis Ababa: Unity through Culture and officially entrusted  the certificate and award for Addis Ababa as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.

 

The Ethiopia`s President received also the Official Letter for World Leaders in Tourism Development highlighting Ethiopian government responsibilities for protecting culture and heritage and using tourism as a tool for development of their nation.

The Official Letter for World Leaders in Tourism Development is calling on Heads of States and Government to “promote the value of the tourism sector in advancing sustainable tourism development”.

 

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MARKING ADDIS ABABA ROLE AS WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

CEREMONIES FOR ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY CONFERENCE FOR ADDIS ABABA

WORLD TOURISM DAY HOST ADDIS ABABA

NEW ACADEMY MEMBER PRESENTATION: H.E. PRESIDENT SAHLE WORK ZEWDE

NEW ACADEMY MEMBER PRESENTATION: ADDIS ABABA GOVERNMENT HEAD TAKLE BENTI UMA

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An extensive cultural programme was carved out for President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea and his delegates  and destined to offer them an extensive Ethiopian experience.

 

European Council on Tourism and Trade delegates having in the center Mr. Mark Doda-Head of Balkan Tourism Organization are enjoying an interesting cultural show in Ethiopia`s capital: Addis Ababa.

 

 

The European Council on Tourism and Trade delegation visited the provinces of Kaffa and Jimma, the birth place of coffee and the famous Palace of Abba Jifar located in Jimma.

Jimma tourism potential and Abba Jiffar Museum as well as the city open markets left an indelible mark on the delegates who appreciated the city architecture and elegance and Islamic heritage potential and valued the impressive remains of the Abba Jifar palace towering over the city.

The ECTT delegation enjoyed also an exclusive tour of the tourism and cultural potential of Addis Ababa environs like the natural crater lakes of Bishoftu and the splendid religious and cultural complex of Debre Libanos.

Debre Libanos unique role in Ethiopian Church development and the rich museum collections of the Debre Libanos Monastery are powerful elements destined to make the area a hot tourism spot.

 

In the familiarization tour around Addis Ababa the delegation had explored the Addis Ababa City Museum, The Ethnographic Museum (hosted in former Imperial palace Genet Leul,  Haile Selassie Museum, National Museum etc.) the Saint George Cathedral and Holy Trinity and Entoto Heritage Area (encompassing the Palace of Emperor Menelik II, Churches Myriam Entoto and Saints Raguel and Elias).

 

 

President Dr. Anton Caragea emphasized the importance for future of Addis Ababa of better highlighting and package the impressive potential of the tourism and cultural preserve of the Entoto Area.

 

 

President Dr. Anton Caragea emphasized as urgency the enacted as a special tourism and cultural preserve of the Entoto Area, in order to ensure its better protection and tourism role in development of Addis Ababa and highly valued the decision taken by the new dispensation of the Head of Government of Adds Ababa Takele Uma Benti to promote a safe and cultural oriented tourism in the city.

 

 

President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea receives an Ethiopian art work from Head of Addis Ababa City Government Eng. Takele Uma Benti. 

 

 

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You can read more about the letter for tourism and development leaders on:

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR CAMBODIA

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR ETHIOPIA

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM: ACADEMICIAN HUN SEN

PHNOM PENH-WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

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President Professor Dr. Anton Caragea delegation included: the Director of European Tourism Academy, Academician Dr. Mircea Constantinescu, Director for Hospitality and Development Mr. Pavel Avramoiu, Mr. Vasile Vlasin-Head of Investment Division in European Council on Tourism and Trade and former Prime Minister Mark Doda, Chairman of Balkan Tourism Organization.

 

ECTT and Ethiopia have agreed to reinforce their collaboration in the areas of cultural protection, historical promotion, sustainable tourism development, public-private partnerships and marketing strategies etc.

The Photo Album of the Addis Ababa-World Capital of Culture and Tourism is accessible here

The Photo Dossier of the Global Tourism Institution visit to Addis Ababa is available here

ECTT TO ENTRUST FDR ETHIOPIA`S LEADER SAHLE WORK ZEWDE WITH THE LETTER FOR WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT

The Office of the President of the GLOBAL TOURISM INSTITUTION (European Council on Tourism and Trade) announced that H.E. President of F.D.R of Ethiopia Ambassador Sahle Work Zewde will receive the OFFICIAL LETTER FOR WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT on behalf of European Tourism Academy “in clear appreciation of your influential vision in carving culture and national heritage of Ethiopia as conducive instruments in building tourism and in ensuring development for your people recognition of the role and significance of tourism on world stage”.

 

Professor Dr. Anton Caragea The President of European Council on Tourism and Trade-ECTT (left) and President of Romania H.E. Professor Dr. Emil Constantinescu on the venue of ECTT Executive Board meeting.

 

 

 

The official letter penned by the Office of the President of European Council on Tourism and Trade outlines the role of tourism in promoting  Ethiopia in the world, in building bridges of cooperation and friendship and highlighting the positive effects of the cooperation between the Presidency of Ethiopia, the local government of Addis Ababa and the Embassy of Ethiopia in Brussels, cooperation that allowed the nation to continue on the road for development via tourism growth and for poverty reduction strategy:

 

Your activities had created what we are celebrating today: ADDIS ABABA victory and selection as the WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.

Ethiopia is an example of development activities, investment protection and facilitation, economic growth and wealth spreading to the nation and this is the creation of your life long experience and devotion to your people.

 

The world community statement of confidence in the bright future of Ethiopia nation and practical measures put in place, made your country succeeding in the WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM competition in recognition of your nation incredible wealth of traditions, natural treasures, history prowess and contribution to humanity legacy.

The world recognizes that Trade, Travel and Tourism are part of the international life and each and every one of our citizens became a world ambassador and a central actor on world stage.

 

 

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EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY EVENTS PROGRAMME FOR ADDIS ABABA

ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

 

CEREMONIES FOR ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY CONFERENCE FOR ADDIS ABABA

WORLD TOURISM DAY HOST ADDIS ABABA

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Nations that wish to attain their full potential and reach the picks of development, international recognition, economic growth and prosperous life for their citizens can’t remove themselves from the international tourism and trade arena.

Trade and Tourism are the key pillars for countries and billions of people, worldwide, in their efforts to achieve fully their live potential.

European Council on Tourism and Trade had become, and strides to remain, the driving force in the international promotion of culture, and patrimony and encapsulate tourism as the main vector in development and international cooperation.

 

The international recognition of Ethiopia`s President Sahle-Work Zewde comes in the wake of the global tourism institution –European Council on Tourism and Trade decision to recognize Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and the seat of African union as receiver of the WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM designation.

 

 

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You can read more about tourism and development on:

 

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR CAMBODIA

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR ETHIOPIA

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM: ACADEMICIAN HUN SEN

PHNOM PENH-WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

BREAKING NEWS: ADDIS ABEBA IS ELECTED AS WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

H.E. Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, President of European Council on Tourism and Trade has publicly signed the official decision naming ADDIS ABABA as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM on January 19, 2019, in the presence of the diplomatic corps accredited to the global tourism institutions: European Council on Tourism and Trade and European Tourism Academy.

 

 

 

 

The event coincided with the conclusion of the First Academic and Mayors Forum for Culture and Tourism – ‘WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM: protecting heritage and promoting tourism’.,

 

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You can read more about tourism and development on:

 

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR CAMBODIA

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR ETHIOPIA

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM: ACADEMICIAN HUN SEN

PHNOM PENH-WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

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Addis Ababa was announced as the new WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM as the city is preparing for a string of celebrations during 2019 and 2020 marking 550 years as a political center and 130 years since in 1889 the Emperor Menelik II announced the city as the capital of his Ethiopian empire.

 

The decision of the global tourism institution-European Council on Tourism and Trade to register Addis Ababa on the coveted list of WORLD`S CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM comes in recognition of the city administration lead by the new city mayor Mr. Takele Uma Benti ambitious plans to place tourism at the root of the city development and in appreciation of the cooperation that Presidency of F.D.R. of Ethiopia extended to the Addis Ababa City Government.

 

European Council on Tourism and Trade President Dr. Anton Caragea (center photo) surrounded by Acad. Ion Iliescu-President of Romania(left photo) and Acad. Emil Constantinescu (right) President of Romania (1996-2000) announces the election of Addis Ababa as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.

 

 

 

Among the reasons for crowning the city as a world cultural and touristic hub the European Council on Tourism and Tradeenumerated the existence of a vast array of historically and religiously monuments like the former imperial palace hosting today the Ethnographic Museum, the Entoto enclose of Emperor Menelik II and Empress Taytu , the cathedrals of Saint George, Holy Trinity, Medhame Alem –the largest cathedral in Ethiopia and the second in Africa etc.

 

By this recognition of Addis Ababa as WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM, the capital city of Ethiopia is added on the world`s list of cities leading humanity into development and using culture and tourism as fundamentals for a better life.

 

 

The global tourism institution ECTTremarked in the official statement that: Addis Ababa is blending his position, in one of the most beautiful regions in the world, with an extraordinary potential of culture and history patrimony, becoming a true world treasure and without a doubt, one of the most impressive areas of Africa.

Addis Ababa can capitalize on the city status as World Capital of Culture and Tourism creating special tourism offers and touristic routes in the city and his adjacent territory (like the Blue Nile Falls, Lake Tana etc.) in order to retain a growing number of tourists in the city.

 

 

Addis-Ababa-Djibouti railway station built by French Architects and connecting today two WORLD`S CAPITALS OF CULTURE AND TOURISM.

 

 

 

With Ethiopian Airlines growth and more than 10 million travelers expected to pass through Addis Ababa an important part of these tourists could be attracted to spend at least one or two nights in the city bringing a substantial revenue into the city.

The decision of European Council on Tourism and Trade marks the end of a negative period in Ethiopian tourism and restarts the process to promote Ethiopia as a safe, tourist-oriented and perfect destination for the culture and adventure loving tourists.

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More about WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT can be observed here:

PRESIDENT ISMAIL OMAR GUELLEH NAMED WORLD LEADER IN DEVELOPMENT

LETTER FOR WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT 

PRIME MINISTER OF CAMBODIA NAMED WORLD LEADER FOR DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM

GLOBAL TOURISM INSTITUTION APPOINTS WORLD LEADERS FOR DEVELOPMENT

PRIME MINISTER OF ETHIOPIA RECEIVES THE LETTER FOR WORLD LEADERS

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In January 2019 Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed revamped the Ethiopian Tourism Organization and selected a new leadership of the organization and H.E. Academician SAHLE-WORK ZEWDE, President of F.D.R of Ethiopia expressed the nation full commitment to support tourism development and carving a safe destination for tourism and investment in the heart of Africa.

 

We must note that in 2015 Ethiopia was selected as World`s Best Tourist Destination by the European Council on Tourism and Trade leading to a historic surge in the numbers of tourists in the country and of tourism-related revenues.

Ethiopia has led African tourism in 2015 with a whopping 1 billion USD in revenues from tourism, well ahead of other regional tourism destinations.

 

CELEBRATIONS MARKING ADDIS ABABA ROLE AS WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

 

ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

 

CEREMONIES FOR ADDIS ABABA-THE WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY CONFERENCE FOR ADDIS ABABA

WORLD TOURISM DAY HOST ADDIS ABABA

 

NEW ACADEMY MEMBER PRESENTATION: H.E. PRESIDENT SAHLE WORK ZEWDE

NEW ACADEMY MEMBER PRESENTATION: ADDIS ABABA GOVERNMENT HEAD TAKLE BENTI UMA

 

 

PRESIDENT ISMAIL OMAR GUELLEH SIX ARGUMENT`S FOR PROMOTING HIS COUNTRY TOURISM

Africa is on the rise is a well-known trope but the rapid climbing on the top of world tourist destinations is a reality powered by booming economies, improving security, better air connectivity and of course incredible natural and historical potential.

 

A new memento of this (we hope) unstoppable march toward tourism status was the decision of global tourism institution – EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE to recognize President of Djibouti as a global leader in tourism development.

To mark this fortunate moment for Africa`s development and to mark down an African vision we present our readers with six accomplishments that are placing President Ismail Omar Guelleh achievements on the top of African and world tourism leadership.

 

President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh was elected as a member of European Tourism Academy and has received the Letter addressed to world leaders in tourism and development in recognition of his visionary leadership in related to tourism.

 

Here are six arguments that can solid present his case:

Air Djibouti

Air Djibouti has succeeded a new re-birth starting with cargo activities in 2015 and started again to fly across the world: “Djibouti is reconfirming his strategic position in the international commerce, global transport and it is centrally positioned at the heart of the second most important maritime trade line in the world” marked Aboubaker Omar Hadi, president of Port and Free Trade Authority of Djibouti in a public ceremony on the tarmac of Djibouti airport.

 

New air travel connections will start in 2017, linking Asia and Europe with Africa welcoming around 200.000 passengers per year on board of his flights.

Djibouti Airport

Djibouti Airport and Djibouti Air are both state-owned companies that are proving that in a highly competitive market they can still impose themselves, bring profit and attract international costumers as long as they are well-managed.

Visa on arrival

Djibouti is one of the world most accommodating to world tourists offering visa on arrival to a large number of citizens from Europe, Asia and Africa.

European Journal of Tourism Visa Openness 2018 evaluation placed Djibouti on the second position among African countries in term of friendliness for tourism entry and visa facilities.

Djibouti City: a well-groomed city

 

In contrast to many other world cities, the capital of Djibouti is a safe, clean and order city ranking year after year on top of best cities to live in.

Security

Security is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most important issues in promoting tourism.

Djibouti is an example of order and with the country hosting military bases of United States, France and China you could be well safe in this nation that is enjoying a perfect security situation and is a proven exporter of stability throughout Africa.

 

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You can read more about tourism and development on:

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR CAMBODIA

LETTER ADDRESSED TO WORLD LEADERS OF TOURISM FOR ETHIOPIA

GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR TOURISM: ACADEMICIAN HUN SEN

PHNOM PENH-WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM

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World class hotels

Djibouti city is renowned for the great numbers of high-quality hotels, well-groomed offices where businessmen’s from around the world are feeling perfectly making the city a base for international trade on the continent.

With sophisticated infrastructure, Djibouti has succeeded in claiming the mantle of a regional capital for the international companies seeking to expand or making business in Eastern Africa.

You can watch DJIBOUTI WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM promotion video here:

EUROPEAN TOURISM IS CREATOR OF WEALTH, DEVELOPMENT AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE WORLD STATES ECTT PRESIDENT

Celebration of Europe: Europe Day Reception

Building on a successful cooperation on last year’s Europe Day, the European Tourism Academy supported the EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE(ECTT) to organize the Europe Day on Tuesday , 9 May 2017.

The reception was attended by over 1000 people from including prominent guests such as government representatives, diplomatic corps in Bucharest, business leaders, academia, and the media. On this occasion Professor Dr. Anton Caragea, Council President   had welcomed the visitors to the event with a powerful speech:

Honourable Ministers,

Honourable Members of Parliament,

Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps,

Colleagues, fellow Europeans and friends of Europe,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Namaste, Salam Alaykum, Good evening, Bonsoir, and a very warm welcome to you all to the 2017 Europe Day celebrations.

First, I would like to express my gratitude to Academicians Mircea Constantinescu and Ionut Costea, Directors of EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY, for kindly agreeing to make available this splendid hall for today’s gathering.

We thought that this year it would be great to bring Europe closer to academicians and professionals and leaders of all walks of life, and to hold our celebrations in this excellent establishment.

Thank you very much to everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen.

Today, 9 May, is Europe Day.

 On this day in 1950 Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, called on the nations of Europe to unite and make war on our continent unthinkable.

His message of peace and unity is as relevant as ever.

 The dreams of our founding fathers have become a reality, and Europeans live together in peace and prosperity, bound together by principles of democracy and human rights.

Yet, as anyone who follows international news knows, the European Union faces considerable challenges, and I do not want to gloss over these.

But despite all our difficulties the Europe represents the most successful process of regional integration, and remains the richest continent in the world.

In no other place is there so much freedom – freedom to speak our mind, freedom to move, freedom to pray and not to pray, freedom to love, freedom to vote and freedom to choose our own destiny.

Everywhere in the world Europe is a major trading partner, a major investor and we are proudly launching here BEST OF EUROPE/BEST OF WORLD program.

 

Climate change is another example of Europe prowess and a dear subject to myself as Ambassador for World Protected Areas .

On 22 April 2016, 175 countries signed the Paris Agreement in New York. Fifteen countries deposited their instruments of ratification on the same day sending a signal to the international community on the paramount importance of the implementation of the Agreement.

Our Ambassador office is committed to continue to work closely with all the nations on climate change, not only alongside it in international negotiations, but also as a key partner – providing support for mitigation and adjusting, and on the implementation of the Paris Agreement – the next big challenge.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I want to welcome you this evening not only to the Europe Day Reception, but also to our exhibition showcasing our engagement in tourism, trade and development across the world.

With WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION and WORLD CAPITAL OF CULTURE AND TOURISM programs we succeeded in the last ten years to bring over 6 billion euro investments in tourism, development and growth sector in Africa and Asia and we created more than 100.000 jobs in tertiary sectors of all the countries that have being supported by EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE and EUROPEAN TOURISM ACADEMY programs.

 I would like to thank all our development implementing partners for their contributions to the exhibition and for their efforts.

I hope that everyone will take time to discover the breadth and depth of the EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE co-operation with developing world.

 

I would like to express my gratitude in particular to key partners of ours in this day, as DALI HAUTE PARFUMERIE who offered you not only wonderful gifts but provided you with a symbol of what Europe stand`s for culture like Salvador Dali works and the joy of living embodied by wonderful perfumes and also a word of gratitude to our European Diplomatic Wine`s partners like HOUSE OF PANCIU who unveiled for you the best European sparkling wines and HOUSE OF WINES COTNARI who had offered you the gift of incredible European wines.

A word of gratitude to the 23 masters of pastry and cakes, who created the incredible cakes that we will taste tonight.

I will no longer stay between you and the incredible cake awaiting us!

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Happy Europe Day!

Bbahut Dhanyawad, Shukran, Merci beaucoup, Thank you, Danke.”