22nd October 2024
Mr Michael Bianchi, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Austria
Hon. Ministers and Members of Parliament,
President Emeritus Dr Lawrence Gonzi,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
We meet here today to celebrate together the National Day of the Republic of Austria.
This is an occasion for Malta and Austria to assess the depth of our bilateral relationship, as well as to enunciate and revisit those common elements at the basis of the contributions both of us make in multilateral fora, both regionally and globally.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1966, Malta and Austria have co-operated on many fronts;
Malta has encouraged and promoted business ties with Austria, particularly in the Fin-Tech, I.T., Education, Aviation and Manufacturing sectors. A good number of Austrian companies are registered in Malta for tax purposes, whilst operating in Austria; these are bound to decrease in number once the European Union Global Minimum Tax Directive for Multi-national Enterprise Groups and Larger-Scale Domestic Group Regulations of 2024 becomes fully effective in six years’ time.
In view of this, it is important that Malta examines other avenues of trade and commerce with Austria, particularly in areas which are already operative. Malta’s exports to Austria during recent years were mainly pharmaceutical products, optical instruments, electrical machinery, and equipment.
Austria is a trade priority for Maltese commercial stakeholders, since it also offers opportunities in ICT Fintech and tourism. It is important to note that a favourable climate for tourism exchange results from the good air connectivity between the two countries, particularly in the summer months.
Gaming and finance companies always attract scrutiny, and therefore, Malta recognises the challenges faced by Maltese gaming and finance companies operating in Austria and will continue to provide assistance so these Maltese companies remain compliant with the legal framework of Malta and EU law, particularly as far as the Anti-Money Laundering regulations are concerned.
Apart from trade and commerce, our two countries have also tried to bring our two people closer together through cultural initiatives. The activities during this current year 2024, bear witness to our two countries’ commitment to this aspect of our relations.
On the 11th April 2024, the Maltese Embassy in Vienna held the Cultural Diplomacy Fund project, Vella..a Cappella in the VotivKirche. This is a choral concert of acapella works by the late leading Maltese-Gozitan really, composer Joe Vella, which in part featured sacred motets written specifically for the Laudate Pueri Choir of Rabat, Gozo.
As part of the activities of the German Language Resource Centre, the Department of German of the University of Malta received two book donations, whilst the 7th of March 2024 saw the official opening of the Austrian Library Malta.
However, perhaps the element most binding our two countries together, is the fact that our two countries are neutral countries, members of the European Union. Our respective commitment to neutrality as a basic tenet of both our countries’ constitutional declarations may be experienced from the way Malta and Austria operate in international fora.
As active states in regional and international fora, our nations share a commitment to encourage an international political climate that endorses the values of compromise, peace, security, and above all, diplomacy. Our constitutional commitments towards neutrality do not mean passivity but rather an active willingness to seek solutions through peaceful means.
Malta and Austria have shown their dedication towards peace and security consistently throughout modern history. At the United Nations, Malta has played an instrumental role on the UN Security Council over the last two years, showing a persistent commitment towards using such an important platform as one conducive to diplomacy and dialogue.
Austria is also home of the four major offices of the United Nations, housing numerous agencies that continue to serve the objectives of the UN, and the goals of multilateralism[1].
Similarly, Vienna is the home of the OSCE, an organisation in which Malta has an active role as the current Chair-in-Office for the year 2024. In this regard, please allow me to express my appreciation and gratitude, on behalf of the Maltese government, to the Austrian government for its support to the Maltese Chairpersonship, particularly in terms of political support, expertise and human resources.
The roles Malta has undertaken in the UN Security Council and as the Chair-in-Office of the OSCE prove that small nations, can also have animpact internationally.
As members of the European Union, Malta and Austria have cooperated consistently on matters of mutual interest, in ways that not only complement but also safeguard our constitutional neutrality, such as matters relating to security policy and the prohibition of nuclear weapons; this in view of the fact that both Malta and Austria are parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
We stand firmly united in our commitment towards finding a just, lasting peace for Ukraine, and to bring those accountable for the atrocities committed in this war to justice. Our position as neutral states should be to continue underlining the need to seek solutions based on dialogue, compromise, and diplomacy, bringing both warring parties to the table. This stance, however, must be firmly anchored in a firm resolve that Ukraine’s rights under international law are to be protected and restored, and that such a position is non-negotiable.
The atrocities we are witnessing in the Middle East, more than a year on since the start of the current conflict, are deplorable and alarming. As nations actively pursuing peace and security, we cannot turn a blind eye to the humanitarian situation, which has been in a state of continuous deterioration, and we must also guarantee the accountability of those who have committed horrific acts of terrorism.
The escalation of atrocities against civiliansparticularly women and children as a result of conflict situations, has brought to the fore the worst traits of savagery in human nature.
Malta reiterates its calls for a ceasefire, so that peace can be negotiated through dialogue and diplomacy, towards a future where both Israel and Palestine can coexist through a two-state solution.
In the face of war and conflict, our nations have proven that neutral states can contribute positively towards peace and security. Both our nations have contributed humanitarian aid and relief, and acted as beacons of hope that peace can still be achieved if diplomacy and dialogue are prioritised.
With these values at the heart of our relationship, I am confident that relations between Malta and Austria will continue to blossom and develop, and be beneficial, not only to both of our peoples, but also have positiveinfluence in multilateral fora.
On behalf of the People of Malta, I kindly ask Your Excellency to convey my sincere greetings to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Austria, Alexander Van Der Bellen, wishing him good health and on this special occasion, I propose a toast to the continued prosperity of Austria and its people.