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On October 14, 2026, the Austrian National Day celebrations, organized by the Austrian Embassy in Bratislava, took place on the premises of the historic old National Council building in Bratislava. The main host Ambassador Dr. Johannes Wimmer delivered a keynote speech at the ceremonial gathering, in which he once again highly appreciated the international cooperation between Austria and Slovakia, which has constant potential for intensification. He congratulated the Slovak-Austrian Chamber of Commerce on its 30th anniversary and thanked it for its significant contribution to building sustainable economic relations between our two countries. Among other things, he also announced the fact that he is retiring at the end of the month after 35 years in diplomatic service.
After his speech, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Marek Eštok took the floor on behalf of the Government of the Slovak Republic, greeting the celebrating Austrian citizens as well as all guests present. He highlighted the significant cooperation between Austria and Slovakia, whether in the economic, political or cultural fields, against the background of common historical development and the current interconnection of both work relationships and relationships based on personal friendship. He wished the departing Ambassador Wimmer much health and contentment in his next life stage and expressed his conviction that an opportunity for a reunion will arise in the future.
The invitation of Col. Mgr. Norbert Kuruc, prison director of Leopoldov, was an opportunity to commemorate the 170th anniversary of the transformation of the Leopoldov anti-Turkish fortress into a prison facility – a decision issued by our (Austrian and Slovak) former common monarch Franz Joseph I – even such a connection is proof of the historical building of international Austrian-Slovak relations in the field of penitentiary treatment. On this occasion, as a sign of cooperation and as a memory of the moments spent in Slovakia, Col. Mgr. Norbert Kuruc presented the departing ambassador with a commemorative plaque, which was issued on the occasion of the celebrations of the establishment of the Leopoldov prison.
