As Federal President of the Republic of Austria and as the Commander-in-Chief of the Austrian Armed Forces it is a great pleasure for me to take on the protectorate of the Officers’ Ball. Especially international visitors tell me time and again how much they appreciate and enjoy Vienna and its sophisticated ball tradition.

I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to the opening committee and to the alumni association of the Theresan Military Academy, the Alt-Neustädter, for the customarily excellent organisation of the ball.

Finally, let me wish the organisers, as well as those attending the event a magnificent 2012 Officers’ Ball.