The Austrian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Georg Diwald, addressed citizens on the occasion of Austria’s National Day, celebrated on October 26th, highlighting the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.
Diwald emphasized that the event provides a good opportunity to showcase Austrian investments and close cooperation in the fields of military, police, judiciary, education, and culture.
“On Austria’s National Day, we celebrate the adoption of the Federal Constitutional Law on Permanent Neutrality in 1955. However, neutrality does not mean indifference. We reject a world where great powers shift international borders by force. For medium-sized countries like Austria, adherence to international law is essential. Therefore, Austria strongly advocates for a robust multilateral order based on law and respect for human rights. This is the best guarantee for security, stability, and prosperity,” the ambassador said.
He further emphasized Austria’s long-standing support for BiH.
“Austria has always stood by BiH. That’s why Austria is one of the strongest advocates for the country’s swift integration into the European Union (EU). Currently, we have favorable momentum: the EU’s geopolitical strategy toward enlargement in the Western Balkans. It’s about promoting peace, prosperity, and security in our immediate neighborhood – the Western Balkans. And it’s about sending a clear message to the world: this region belongs with us; this country, BiH, belongs in the EU. That is precisely why Austria is unwavering in its campaign for faster integration of the Western Balkans, especially BiH, into the EU. We successfully supported BiH in obtaining candidate status, and now we are close to the moment when accession negotiations with the EU can finally begin,” the ambassador stated.
In closing, Ambassador Diwald stressed the need for immediate action.
“We all know what reforms are necessary to make this happen. And all of us, as friends of this beautiful country, would love to see you succeed. We are also aware of how deeply the people of BiH desire this. The time to act is now. Austria, and I personally, will continue to strongly advocate for these reforms to be implemented on time, before the European Council meeting in December,” concluded Austrian Ambassador Georg Diwald, Klix.ba writes.
E.Dz.
