I was immensely honoured to receive the Austrian Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold, recognising my contribution to bilateral relations and international understanding between Austria and the UK. I was surrounded by family, friends and my hard-working team.
The Decoration of Honour in Gold is one of Austria’s highest awards. It is awarded by the President of the Republic upon suggestion of the Federal Government
Austria’s relations with Britain are good, people to people and between our Parliaments.
I am grateful to the Austrian Embassy London, the ambassador and his colleagues for the way they work proactively and positively to strengthen and deepen the relationship between our two great nations. They have been a stalwart support of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Austra and UK Friendship of which I am pleased to have been the chair since 2017.
The strength of our bilateral relations post-Brexit has been reinforced across the world. This is visible in the strength of the familial connection between Austria and the United Kingdom.
I commend Britain to Austrians; I hope people in the countries of the United Kingdom will enjoy Austria for its people, as a beautiful country and for its food and drink. The honour they have given me will be treasured.
