In honor of the National Holiday of the Republic of Austria, the ambassador of this country to Bosnia and Herzegovina Martin Pammer, military attaché Brigadier Michael Pesendorfer and trade counselor Philippe Kupfer in the Sarajevo City Hall hosted a reception.
Ambassador Pammer welcomed Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Denis Zvizdic, the prime minister of the Federation of BiH Fadil Novalic, the mayor of Sarajevo, Abdulah Skaka, and numerous other officials from BiH’s public, political, social and cultural life, as well as the diplomatic corps in BiH.
He recalled that Austria celebrates October 26th as its National Holiday since 1955 when the Law on Continuous Neutrality was adopted in the Austrian National Council.
Since then, Austria has developed into a strong state by establishing rule of law, a functioning social partnership, a social market economy, and an ongoing active commitment to basic civil and human rights.
He said that turning points were in 1989, the accession to the European Union in 1995, and the expansion of the European Union after that, which brought important challenges with ones that were successfully overcome.
After its OSCE Chairmanship this year, Pammer said that in the second half of 2018, Austria will chair the Council of the European Union.
The changed internal political circumstances that occurred after the elections for the National Council on October 15 and the new government will in some areas, in accordance with the majority will of the population, make changes with itself, but it will understand, by itself, to move within the established basic principles.
He stressed that the foreign policy pursued in cooperation with EU partners and neighboring relations will continue with even more commitment.
He emphasized that Austria clearly supports the integration of Southeast Europe and, in particular, the accession process of Bosnia and Herzegovina, due to its multiple connection and, of course, its interests.
“In doing so, a precondition for progress remains a decisive one and the further joint work of the responder in Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Reform Agenda and the functionality of the state. We hope that BiH, which has made recognizable progress since 2015, will continue doing so,” Pammer stressed.
Days of national holiday are an opportunity, he added, to strengthen friendships, to celebrate together and to bring cultural events from Austria to BiH, and reminded that Roundtable on education issues in Sarajevo was held as well as the performances of contemporary musical compositions, Tria Sqwuare Waltz today and tomorrow in Sarajevo Jazzbina and Tria Cobario who are touring the cities of Vitez, Travnik, Cazin and Bihac.
In addition, Pammer added, the Austrian diplomat responsible for the Western Balkans and EU enlargement, Ambassador Klaus Wolfer, is visiting BiH these days.
For the first time, this award was presented to three individuals who promote relations between Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Grand Honor of the Republic of Austria were awarded Master Ue Theimer, Vahidin Preljevic, university professor and Ilija Studen, the president of the Management Board of Studen Holding.
(Source: Klix.ba)
