Juan David Latorre
“Relations between Spain and Austria are excellent,” Ambassador Enno Drofenik said as he began his speech commemorating Austria’s National Day during a reception at his official residence on Wednesday.
“We have a common history from when the two countries were united during the Habsburg Empire between 1500 and 1700. When someone takes a walk through Madrid there are many traces of this common history,” he added.
In his speech, the ambassador highlighted the “impressive tourist exchange” between Spain and Austria. “Austrians, he pointed out, come to Spain to enjoy the sun and the hospitality, not to mention the good food here. The Spaniards also come to Austria to enjoy the Alpine scenery or the music festivals.”
“But what unites both countries most,” Drofenik said, “is our common faith in the values of humanism, human rights and an international order based on rules and standards. We know that the best strategy to promote these values is a strong and united European Union. For this reason, Spain is an exemplary partner in this union and that is why I am sure that the Spanish presidency in the second half of next year 2023 will be very successful”.
To conclude the celebration, a toast was made to Spain, Austria and the European Union, while the three hymns were played on the piano.
The reception was attended by the Director General for Western, Central and Southeast Europe, Raquel Gómez-Cambronero, and the Ambassadors’ Introducer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, María Sebastián de Erice. Also present were the ambassadors of Cyprus, Slovakia, Serbia, Finland, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Croatia, Panama, Malaysia, Iran, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Great Britain, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, North Macedonia, Thailand, Romania, the Netherlands and Israel, as well as the Chargés d’Affaires of the Embassies of Poland and Montenegro.
