Matthias Pirs
Strong international profile with a strong awareness of European values and principles.
Study visits to Graz, Los Angeles, Innsbruck and London with focus on strategic management, EU law & ethics.
Key data
Job description: Employee during the Austrian EU Presidency: Cohesion Policy
Company: Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism
I work in: Vienna / Brussels
I’ve worked here since: 04/2018-02/2019
My contact
What I do
In the area of EU cohesion policy - the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the EU (approx. 1/3 of the EU budget) - I was able to support Austria in the negotiations and in the evaluation of the legislative proposals of the European Commission for the funding period after 2020. This means that together with my colleagues we analysed the proposals from a technical point of view on the one hand and coordinated the Austrian position for the negotiations in the Council of the EU on the other. In addition, I followed the discussions on the multiannual financial framework (EU budget) from a cohesion policy perspective, took part in meetings at the Federal Chancellery, among others, and prepared documents for the political level.
Concrete examples in my area of responsibility:
- Preparation and support of the competent Council working group (BRUSSELS)
- Representation of Austria in expert and comitology committees of the European Structural and Investment Funds (European Commission - BRUSSELS)
- Performing interministerial and informal meetings (inter alia with high-ranking representatives of the European Commission and the EU Council)
Why I love my job
The numerous impressions of how the EU works and the international working environment during the Austrian EU Presidency inspired me every day anew.
Important skills in my job
One of the great challenges of my work was to deal intensively with individual complex questions and interests from the broad dossier of EU cohesion policy in the shortest possible time in order to be able to make constructive and goal-oriented contributions to a successful EU Council Presidency in this area.
The best experiences in my job
... was to contribute to the success of the Austrian EU Presidency.
How I found my current job
I applied via the Federal Chancellery for cooperation within the framework of the Austrian EU Presidency.
What I learned for this job during my studies at FH JOANNEUM:
- Openness to new ideas
- The ability to work in an international environment
- Understand global relationships & developments
- Critical thinking
- act result-oriented and discreetly
Job prospects in my field
In addition to a career in the EU institutions, one can also deal with numerous EU issues and questions at member state level, both in public institutions and in the private sector.
I am
conscientious, tolerant, interested and willing to cooperate
About my job
The great thing about my job is to work for the future of Europe. For me, Europe means above all the future, progress and vision towards a stronger European democracy – centered on citizens and shared values which are based on fundamental and human rights! For me, it is more important than ever to further develop and strengthen the European model of success together, with the overriding goal of assuming a leading role in solving global challenges.