Here is the full text of his speech in Vienna:
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Madam Minister,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure for me to be back in this very magnificent, beautiful and historical city of Vienna and be here amongst such a distinguished group. Let me take this opportunity to thank the friendly people and government of Austria for their gracious hospitality during this historic visit of President Rouhani which will mark another important milestone in our centuries old relations.
Today we are celebrating 160 years of diplomatic relations between Iran and Austria since the signing of the first friendship treaty in 1858, which resulted 15 years later in the opening of the Austrian Embassy in Tehran and the Iranian Embassy in Vienna.
But the ties between Iran and Austria go back to five centuries ago as it is evident in the formal correspondence between the Safavid Dynasty and the Habsburg Monarchy as well as the exchange of diplomatic delegates between the two countries in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
In the nineteenth century, our bilateral relations were expanded quantitatively and qualitatively, particularly in cultural and social dimensions. It is worth mentioning that the first modern school in Iran - Tehran Polytechnic known as ‘Darolfonoon’- was established during this period with the help and support of Austrian instructors and professors who were invited by the Iranian government to teach medicine, geography, military skills, mining and other sciences of the time. This subsequently motivated Austrian doctors, engineers, artists, military advisors and technicians to travel to Iran and actively participate in Iranian modernization projects.
Our nations, since then, have developed a solid and steady relationship. Iran was among the first nations which gave recognition to the establishment of the Republic of Austria after the end of the First World War in 1920. From this time, significant agreements have been signed between the two countries in different sectors. Copies of these agreement are kept in our archives, and some of them are on display today in this exhibition for the public.
One of the outstanding issues which deserves high appreciation is the invaluable efforts done by the great Austrian Iranologist, Hammer Purgstall, who translated the master piece of the great Iranian world-renowned poet, Hafiz, into German and introduced the Persian literature to the German-speaking world.
I am not going to review the history of our relationships and the positive steps that we have jointly taken during the last two centuries. However, I would like to mention and appreciate the very constructive role of Austria in making history by hosting and facilitating the negotiations between Iran and P5+1, which resulted in the land-mark international agreement known as the JCPOA, or what is also rightly called as the Vienna agreement.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The historical, cultural, and people to people ties and interactions between our two great nations have contributed to our existing bilateral relations, which are strong and based on mutual respect and interest. We have collectively proved that diplomacy works, and diplomacy helps all nations. This historical exhibition is a testimony to the benefits and fruits of diplomacy and the value of diplomacy in creating constructive spaces for cooperation between our nations.
Let me in the end, express my appreciation for the efforts of the Austrian Academy of Science as well as my colleagues at the Institute for Political and International Studies for organizing this wonderful event.
I am sure this seminar and exhibition would result in further deepening of our mutual understanding and friendship.
Thank you.
LR/PR
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