New Year's Reception of the Austrian Federal President for the Diplomatic Corps

PeopleDiplomats ♦ Published: January 23, 2024; 23:27 ♦ (Vindobona)

In a speech during the New Year's reception for the diplomatic corps, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen emphasized the need to create a more peaceful and just world. In a world marked by crises, natural disasters, and wars, he called for unity and dialog.

Address by Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen on the Occasion of the New Year’s Reception for the Diplomatic Corps. / Picture: © Österreichische Präsidentschaftskanzlei / Peter Lechner/HBF

Van der Bellen reflected on the year 2023, which was marked by severe earthquakes in Turkey, northern Syria, Morocco, and Japan. He also mentioned the catastrophic effects of the climate crisis with devastating floods in countries such as Libya, Germany, Greece, and Italy.

Solidarity with Israel and the fight against anti-Semitism

The President condemned…