On behalf of President Obama and the citizens of the United States, I warmly congratulate the people of Austria as you celebrate your national day this October 26.

Decades ago, through the Marshall Plan, the United States and Austria worked together to help create a free and prosperous Europe. Between then and now, we have shared an ongoing commitment to human rights and to promoting security and economic growth on that continent and across the globe.

Today, we remain important partners in trade and on a broad range of issues including counter-terrorism, law enforcement, and efforts to curb illegal trafficking in persons. We appreciate Austria’s long-standing contribution to global peace and security in its role as a venue for diplomatic engagement on the world’s most pressing issues, including the P5+1 negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.

The United States and Austria are also partners in education. This year marks the 65th anniversary of Fulbright academic exchanges between our countries. Since 1950, when Austria was among the first to establish a bi-national Fulbright Commission, more than 2,300 American and 3,500 Austrian students and scholars have studied and researched as “Fulbrighters.”

On your national day, the United States stands with the people of Austria as your friend and partner.