On October 24, 2024, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to Ukraine Dr. Arad Benkyo held a solemn diplomatic reception in Kyiv on the occasion of the main Austrian National Holiday, which has been celebrated on October 26 every year since 1965. On this day in 1955, the Austrian Parliament adopted the Federal Constitutional Law on Permanent Neutrality, which defines the policy of the Alpine Republic – not to participate in war, not to allow the establishment of military bases of foreign countries on its territory and never join any military alliances in the future. Although Austria is a member of the European Union, the country has renounced membership in NATO.
On this occasion, numerous guests – partners and friends of Austria – gathered in the capital’s Hilton Kyiv hotel to celebrate this special day together. These are representatives of foreign diplomatic missions in Ukraine, representatives of government agencies, including the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Yevhen Perebiynis, representatives of Austrian companies in Ukraine, educators.
The event solemnly began with the singing of the anthems of the Republic of Austria, Ukraine and the European Union.
Dr. Arad Benjo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Austria to Ukraine, and Yevhen Perebiynis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, addressed the guests with welcoming remarks.
On June 24, 1992 diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Austria were established.
On June 24, 1992 the Austrian consulate in Kiev was transformed into the Embassy. Austria is the only country that has not formalized the diplomatic recognition of Ukraine, as it believes that the fact of Ukraine’s membership in the UN and a number of international special organizations is a sign of Ukraine’s recognition by the world community in 1945.
