“19 March 1938 is an important date in our country’s recent history, and in the relationship between Austria and Mexico,”

said Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl on the 80th anniversary of Mexico submitting a note of protest to the League of Nations against the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany (known as “Anschluss”). Mexico was the only member of the League of Nations to issue a written protest against “Anschluss”.

“We thank Mexico for taking this courageous step.”

The note of protest signed by Isidro Fabela, Mexico’s ambassador to the League of Nations, stated unambiguously that “the political extinction of Austria, in the form and circumstances in which it has taken place, constitutes a serious infringement of the League Covenant and the established principles of international law“. Not only did the note argue that the great powers should have guaranteed Austria’s independence, it also reminded Austria of the obligations it had entered into under the Treaty of St. Germain.

The Mexican note of protest has provided an occasion for a range of conferences both in Mexico and in Austria.

“Maintaining international law in international relations remains a key safeguard for the security and prosperity of our states. Austria advocates a strong and effective multilateral system built on the foundations of defined rules and international law. Mexico is an important partner in our foreign policy efforts to strengthen and expand this system,” Federal Minister Kneissl stated in closing.