Italian Republic Day celebrations were held in Vienna, as organised by the Italian Embassy, the Permanent Representation to the International Organisations and the Permanent Representation to the OSCE.
For the occasion, the doors and gardens of the Metternich building – the historical seat of the Embassy – were opened to representatives of the institutional, diplomatic and academic world and of the International Organisations based in Austria. The Italian community in Austria was also present, with representatives of the business world and Associations.
In his welcome speech to the guests, Ambassador Giovanni Pugliese emphasised the excellent state of bilateral relations between Italy and Austria, which are united by deep ties of friendship and cooperation. “Italy is Austria’s second largest trading partner and the number one tourist destination for Austrians”, said Pugliese, highlighting the solidity of relations between the two countries and recalling the recent statement by Presidents Mattarella, Van der Bellen and Steinmeier. On the occasion of the upcoming European elections, these reiterated how essential it is to defend our institutions and democratic values, which are so closely linked to European unification.
The celebrations were also an opportunity to recall the founding values of the Italian Republic and the special significance of the Referendum of 1946, as well as to enhance the role played by Italy in the UN and OSCE, as underlined by the Ambassador to the International Organisations, Debora Lepre, and the Ambassador to the OSCE, Stefano Baldi.
