In the trade and economic sphere, Russia and Austria are long-standing partners. Economic cooperation between these countries is growing at a steady and predictable pace. But in last years Judging by the level of trade and the growth of mutual investments, our countries are rapidly moving towards the formation of a full-fledged strategic partnership.
Austria and private companies from this country do not violate their obligations under economic agreements with Russia, which often happens with our counterparties from other countries. In general, our economic cooperation is carried out in the most favored nation regime.
In recent years, our relations in the economic sphere have been actively developing. This is happening against the backdrop of the recovery of the economies of the two countries, an increase in stability in the Russian financial and banking spheres, and an improvement in the conditions for the activity of foreign business in the Russian market. As a result, the quantitative and qualitative indicators of Russian-Austrian trade and economic relations have only benefited from this. In 2007, the bilateral trade turnover between Austria and Russia for the first time exceeded the $ 5 billion mark. Over the past three years, it has increased 2.9 times and continues to grow at a stable pace.
Austrian imports to Russia over the same three years grew 2.3 times due to a significant increase in Austrian high-tech exports to our country. The traditional component of Russian exports to Austria is energy supplies, primarily natural gas... In this area, our partnership is stable and long-term. So, in September 2008, the Russian gas giant Gazprom and the Austrian concern OMV signed an agreement to extend the term of contracts for the supply of natural gas until 2027. Austria has thus become the first country with which we have signed such a long-term agreement. The agreement provides for the supply of 7 billion cubic meters of gas to the country per year, and it also gives Gazprom the opportunity to sell natural gas to end consumers.
In the future, the dominance of the raw material component in Russian supplies to Austria will gradually decrease due to the growth in Russian exports. specific gravity machinery, equipment and other goods high degree processing. Among the new products that are ready to offer the Austrian market Russian companies- biodiesel, expander generators and other complex mechanisms.
So, today a project is being discussed to organize the production of biodiesel (inexpensive, environmentally friendly and efficient automobile fuel) in Russia with its subsequent supply to Austria and other European countries. The fuel will be produced on the basis of Russian rapeseed with its subsequent processing at a joint Russian-Austrian venture. Several Russian regions are currently negotiating with Austrian partners.
Opportunities for growth in the volumes of Russian-Austrian trade and, above all, the export of Russian non-primary goods to Austria lie in the intensification of cooperation between Russian and Austrian firms in the innovation sphere using venture financing. To this end, we would like to draw the attention of Austrian investors to the special economic zones being created in Russia, to projects for the development of modern Russian developments and know-how in aviation, energy, and environmental protection.
More than 1200 Austrian firms operate on the Russian market. Few of European countries boasts such an impressive presence in Russia. About 150 of them have their permanent missions in our country. In addition, there are about 500 entrepreneurial structures in Russia with full or partial participation of Austrian capital, 48 Russian regions maintain business ties with Austria to one degree or another. Accumulated volume of Austrian investment in the economy Russian Federation in 2008 amounted to $ 1.89 billion, which is 38.6% more than in 2007.
The volume of direct Austrian investments as of the end of 2008 amounted to $ 858.6 million, which is more than double the 2007 figure. But the structure of Austrian investments in the Russian economy does not yet reflect the full potential of Russian-Austrian investment cooperation. The share of the manufacturing sector in their total volume is only 15-20%.
The automotive industry is a striking illustration of one of the most important areas of Austrian investment in Russia. Now in Nizhny Novgorod, under the license of the Austrian company Steyr Motors, they produce diesel engines for commercial vehicles produced at the Gorky Automobile Plant. Motor projects of AVL with the Yaroslavl Motor Plant are in the stage of approval. So, in July 2008, a presentation of a new Russian-Austrian diesel engine was held in Austria, the serial production of which is planned for 2009. In addition, AVL is implementing a contract in Bashkiria for the development of a new medium-class wheeled tractor and the organization of its production in 2009-2010. The volume of investments will amount to more than $ 90 million, and the annual output will be up to 4 thousand tractors.
Russia expects a greater activity of Austrian business in the field of investment. Especially, increasing investments in the production sector. We are waiting for Austrian investments in the oil and gas processing and pulp and paper industries, in the production building materials, metallurgy, mechanical engineering, in particular, in the aircraft and automotive industry. Our cooperation in tourism, medicine and pharmaceuticals, as well as in the field of astronautics looks promising.
The Austrian experience and technologies in our reformed agriculture and socio-economic sphere would be very useful.
The creation of the Russian-Austrian Business Council opened up new opportunities for Russia, including for increasing the inflow of investments to the regions. The fact that the Governor of the Samara Region V.V.Artyakov was appointed Chairman of the Russian part of the Council gave Samara business additional development prospects. As a region open for cooperation with foreign states, a region with a high investment rating, Samara province pins great hopes on strengthening relations with Austrian partners.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Samara Region as a member of the Russian-Austrian Business Council conducts active work to support business cooperation between enterprises in Austria and our region. A questionnaire survey of Samara business was carried out, and this brought a significant result, allowing to draw a conclusion about the high level of interest of Samara enterprises in cooperation with Austrian partners. Already now, the leading companies of the province declare their desire to cooperate with Austrian enterprises - among these enterprises, more than 30 already have contacts with enterprises in Austria and want to expand them, and more than 25 are willing to start business relationship with Austria for further cooperation. Enterprises from other regions of the Volga region are also showing interest. federal district, as reported by the territorial CCIs http://old.strana.ru/stories/02/01/25/2408/107288.html.
As for Sweden, despite the fact that they are neighbors, direct trade between them was mostly negligible. There were reasons for that. Firstly, the countries for a long time remained poor relatives in world trade, which means they did not represent great interest for each other. Secondly, in the 18th-19th centuries, Russia and Sweden offered to the market almost the same goods - timber and iron - so they were more likely competitors than partners. V Soviet time the development of Russian-Swedish trade was severely limited.
The only exception in the series of missed opportunities was the beginning of the 20th century, when the rapidly developing Swedish machine-building companies literally flooded the Russian market with the most advanced at that time. technical products... The famous Gustave de Laval milk separators were especially popular. Which in Russian villages were lovingly called "lavalka". In 1916, already during the First World War, Swedish exports to Russia reached a record figure, accounting for 8% of all Swedish exports.
In absolute terms, Russian-Swedish trade grew at a fairly rapid pace until August 1998, when the financial crisis in Russia led to a reduction in trade between Russia and Sweden. According to the Swedish Central Statistical Agency, between 1992 and 1997, the volume of Russian-Swedish trade more than tripled (from 4.3 billion to 13.9 billion kroons). In 1998, a decrease in turnover by 18% was recorded, to 11.4 billion kroons. January - November 1999 The volume of Russian-Swedish trade remained approximately at the level of January-November 1998, while Russian exports to Sweden increased by 36%, and Swedish exports to Russia decreased by 32%.
Mutual trade, although it is growing, is still dominated by Russian exports: according to the Ministry of Trade of the Russian Federation, in 1999 its volume amounted to $ 850 million, and counter import - $ 470 million. Meanwhile, the share of industrial semi-finished and finished products in Russian supplies (oil products, scrap metal, non-ferrous metal alloys, timber, furniture, textiles) exceeded 30 percent against about 20 percent in the mid-90s. In January - September 1999 alone, exports from Russia to Sweden - moreover, non-primary goods - increased by more than half.
Almost two-thirds of Russia's imports from Sweden consist of high-tech goods, primarily equipment; According to the Swedish experts of the joint commission, the volume of these supplies will increase in the coming years at least one and a half times: due to trade restrictions of other EU member states in relation to Russia, the growth of its needs for modern equipment and difficulties with the sale of these Swedish products in the currency zone "euro", which does not include Sweden.
The Swedish government does not exclude the possibility of introducing, over time, a Swedish-Russian free trade zone and, within its framework, an "exchange" of tax and investment privileges, to which other countries in the region will then be able to join.
Experts from the Swedish Embassy in Russia believe that Swedish investors are well aware of the potential of the Russian market. Therefore, the overwhelming majority of Swedish investments remained in Russia after August 1998. In addition, the number of inquiries from Russian industrial enterprises regarding possible partners in Sweden is steadily growing. The embassy is confident that Russia will rise higher and higher in the list of the main trading partners of Stockholm (while it ranks 25th).
According to Jan-Olof Nyström, Trade Counselor at the Swedish Embassy in Russia, “Sweden can offer many goods, and not so much finished goods how much technology for their production, including joint. In our opinion, the economies of Russia and Sweden need such interaction. Acquaintance with modern Russian industrial products convinces that Swedish enterprises can increasingly trust their Russian partners to produce various parts and components for them. On the whole, Russia is undoubtedly becoming an increasingly important trade and economic partner of Sweden. "
Since 1988, since the visit of the then Prime Minister N. Ryzhkov to Sweden, attempts have been made to turn the Swedes into consumers of Russian gas. Russia is even more interested in gas transit through Finland and Sweden to mainland Europe. This issue took center stage at the 1997 interstate meeting, when Boris Yeltsin paid an official visit to Stockholm.
Sweden is also a supplier of investments to Russia. According to Rosstat statistics for 1996-1998, Sweden is one of the ten largest foreign investors in Russia, ranking sixth in it, ahead of Italian, French and Japanese investments. Moreover, they are concentrated by about 75 percent in manufacturing industries (pulp and paper, telecommunications, metalworking, energy, construction, food, packaging). Swedish investors are strengthening their presence in the real sector of the Russian economy, primarily in the northwestern and central European regions. And one of priority areas Swedish investment in the coming years - joint development, implementation and export of resource-saving technologies.
Jan-Olof Nyström, Counselor at the Swedish Embassy in Russia, believes that Swedish investment in Russia is growing steadily. According to J. Nyström, "Swedish companies are convinced that the importance of Russia for the Swedish industry will increase in the near future. Today, there are about 200 Swedish firms in Moscow and St. Petersburg alone. In total, about a thousand companies from Sweden are actively working on the Russian market."
In the European Union, the Swedes advocate the abolition of discriminatory measures against Russian enterprises and the creation in the long term of a free trade zone between the EU and Russia.
The Action Plan for 2009-2010 is currently in force. It provides for very specific measures to develop trade between our countries, investment cooperation, cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship, banking, cooperation in the field of ecology, space, communications, forestry, customs and healthcare. All aspects of this cooperation were discussed in great detail. Take forestry, for example. The parties stated that we have a lot to learn from each other in the field of forest management, their reproduction, protection from harmful insects and diseases, monitoring and planning of forestry.
Russia invited the Swedish partners to sign an agreement on the development of tourism between our two countries. Mention should also be made of the large projects already underway. One of them is the construction of a large Volvo plant in the city of Kaluga, not far from Moscow. He will give the first production in a few days.
February 1924 and discontinued in March 1938 following the Anschluss of Austria Nazi Germany... In October 1945, diplomatic relations were restored at the level of plenipotentiary representations, which in 1953 were transformed into embassies.
The relations of the Russian Federation with Austria are characterized by stability and the absence of significant problems. Regular political contacts are maintained at the highest and high levels.
On February 8-10, 2001, a working visit took place, on May 23-24, 2007, and on June 24, 2014 - official visits of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Austria.
Federal President of the Austrian Republic Thomas Klestil paid an official visit to Russia on June 22-24, 2001, and on a private visit on February 14-15, 2004. Austrian President Heinz Fischer took part in the celebrations in Moscow on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Victory on May 9, 2005. On May 18-21, 2011, Heinz Fischer paid an official visit to the Russian Federation.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met with Heinz Fischer on September 23, 2009 in New York and on December 1, 2010 "on the sidelines" of the OSCE summit in Astana.
In January 2002 and December 2005, Federal Chancellor of Austria Wolfgang Schüssel paid a working visit to Russia. On November 10-11, 2009, Federal Chancellor Werner Fayman paid a working visit to Moscow, where he was received by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and held talks with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. On April 24-25, 2010, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was on a working visit to Vienna.
On October 17, 2014, on the sidelines of the ASEM summit in Milan, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Austrian Federal Chancellor Werner Fayman. The parties exchanged views on topical issues of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, including joint projects in the energy sector.
Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Economy of the Republic Reinhold Mitterlehner visited Moscow to participate in the meeting of the intergovernmental commission. During the visit, he was received by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
Meetings of the heads of the foreign ministries of Russia and Austria are held regularly (the last one is between Sergei Lavrov and the Minister of European, Integration and Foreign Affairs of Austria Sebastian Kurz on October 30, 2015 in Vienna).
On June 30, 2015, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov met with the Federal President of Austria Heinz Fischer in Vienna.
Inter-parliamentary ties are maintained, dialogue is carried out through ministries and departments.
Trade and economic relations are developing. Since 2000, Austrian-Russian trade has developed very dynamically, but in 2014, due to the consequences of the Ukrainian crisis, a decline in positive dynamics was noted. In 2015, according to Austrian statistics, the volume of Austrian exports to Russia amounted to 1.6 billion euros (-40.5% compared to 2014), the volume of imports from Russia to Austria amounted to 1.9 billion euros (-1.9 % compared to 2014).
According to the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation, in 2015, the foreign trade turnover of Russia and Austria amounted to $ 3175.0 million, including Russian exports - $ 1162.6 million, imports - $ 2012.4 million. The share of Austria in Russia's foreign trade turnover is 0.6%.
Austrian imports from Russia consist of more than 85% of energy (oil, natural gas), followed by metals. The largest part in the structure of exports from Austria is occupied by mechanical engineering products, equipment, vehicles, as well as pharmaceutical products.
The volume of accumulated Austrian investments in the Russian economy by the end of 2014 exceeded $ 7.5 billion, including direct - $ 2.9 billion, Russian investments in Austria - about $ 6.4 billion, including direct - $ 4.6 billion dollars. Austria accounts for about 2% of all accumulated foreign investments in Russia, the country ranks 12th among foreign investors in the Russian economy.
More than 1200 Austrian companies operate on the Russian market, there are about 500 companies with Austrian capital.
The main areas of Austrian capital investment are the construction and modernization of chipboard plants, pulp and paper mills, metallurgical plants, oil refineries, woodworking and wood processing enterprises, the production of building materials, and the banking sector. The main objects of Russian investment in Austria are enterprises in the woodworking and pulp and paper industries, the construction industry and metallurgy, in the field of automobile and aircraft construction, telecommunications, banking and tourism.
Issues of bilateral relations in the field of trade and economics within the framework of the Mixed Russian-Austrian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation. Co-chairman from the Russian side is Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, from the Austrian side - Vice-Chancellor, Federal Minister of Science, Research and Economics Reinhold Mitterlehner.
The last meeting of the commission took place on February 2, 2016 in Moscow. Following the meeting, a plan for 26 joint projects worth 4 billion euros was signed.
In 2008, the Russian-Austrian Business Council began its work. From 13 to 15 September 2015, the 7th meeting of the Russian-Austrian Business Council took place in Moscow.
Positive interaction has been established between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries, through the ministries of justice and the Prosecutor General's Offices.
Cultural ties have traditionally played an important role in Russian-Austrian relations. On the basis of the 1998 intergovernmental Agreement on Cultural Cooperation, a number of targeted programs in the field of culture and art are being implemented, fruitful contacts are maintained between theater and musical groups and museums, libraries, creative universities, direct ties between cities and regions of the two countries are developing and improving.
The Seasons of Culture of Russia and Austria in 2013-2015, which were held for the first time in the history of bilateral relations, became a significant milestone in Russian-Austrian cultural ties.
The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources
The history of Russian-Austrian interstate contacts dates back to the end of the 15th century, when Grand Duke Ivan III and Emperor Maximilian exchanged ambassadorial missions. Relations with the Austrian court acquired a regular character under Peter I, who in 1698 visited Vienna as part of the Grand Embassy and met with Kaiser Leopold I.
Diplomatic relations between the USSR and the first Austrian Republic were established in February 1924 and ended in March 1938 after the annexation of Austria by the Hitlerite Reich. In October 1945, diplomatic relations were restored at the level of embassies, which in 1953 were transformed into embassies.
Relations between the Russian Federation and Austria are developing positively.
Political contacts are maintained at a high level. In 1998 and 1999, the Prime Minister of Russia paid a visit to Austria. In 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2005 The Austrian Foreign Minister paid working visits to Moscow.
On February 8-10, 2001, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin paid a working visit to Austria. Federal President of the Austrian Republic T. Klestil made an official visit to Russia on June 22-24, 2001, and on a private visit on February 14-15, 2004. On July 10, 2004, Vladimir Putin, who was in Vienna to participate in the funeral of T. Klestila, met with the President of Austria H. Fischer. The Austrian President took part in the celebrations in Moscow on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Victory on May 9, 2005.
On January 28-29, 2002 and December 2, 2005 the Federal Chancellor of Austria V. Schussel paid a working visit to Russia. In May 2003, he took part in international meetings in St. Petersburg dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the city.
On October 14-15, 2003, May 14-15, 2005 and February 14-15, 2006, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation paid working visits to Austria.
Inter-parliamentary ties are developing. In February 2001, a delegation of the State Duma headed by G.N. Seleznev was in Vienna. In May 2001, E.S. Stroev paid a visit to Austria. On June 27-30, 2002, the then President of the Austrian National Council, H. Fischer, paid a visit to Moscow and St. Petersburg. In February 2005, the Chairman of the State Duma BV Gryzlov met in Vienna with the President of Austria H. Fischer and the Speaker of the Austrian Parliament A. Kohl. In May 2005 S.M. Mironov paid a visit to Austria.
The legal framework of Russian-Austrian relations includes both the agreements of the Soviet period, adapted to the new conditions, and agreements concluded after 1991.The main document in the field of bilateral trade and economic relations is the intergovernmental Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation of November 8, 1993 In April 2000, the Convention for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to taxes on income and capital was signed (entered into force on December 30, 2002), in October 2000 - a Memorandum between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Austria on financial support for joint projects implemented on Russian territory. On February 8, 2001, an agreement on cooperation in the field of entrepreneurship support was concluded in Vienna. On January 28, 2002, an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of tourism was signed in Moscow.
Trade, economic and investment cooperation. According to the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, in 2005 a record level of trade with Austria was reached - 3.556 billion euros, which is 27.3% more than in the previous year. Russian exports - 2.113 billion euros, imports - 1.39 billion euros.
The bulk of Russian exports are energy resources, mainly natural gas (over 90% of Austrian gas imports), oil and oil products. There are supplies of non-ferrous metals (12%), timber, cellulose, pharmaceutical and chemical products, optics. The share of machinery and equipment in Russian exports to Austria remains extremely insignificant (about 1%).
Russian imports from Austria are dominated by finished products (about 70%), among which machinery and equipment (37%), including metallurgical, measuring and medical devices, occupy a significant place. Important items of our import are ferrous metals and products from them, medicines, foodstuffs, chemical products, clothing and footwear, paper and cardboard.
The accumulated volume of Austrian investments in Russia is 1.6 billion US dollars, of which direct investments are 270 million US dollars. USA. More than 1200 Austrian firms operate on the Russian market (150 have representative offices in Russia) and about 500 enterprises with the participation of Austrian capital. Almost 80% of Austrian capital investments are in the non-production sector, incl. providing trade and intermediary, consulting and information services... The rest of the joint ventures are engaged in metallurgy, mechanical engineering, pulp and paper, woodworking, medical and Food Industry, in the construction industry.
Russia and Austria grant each other the most favored nation treatment in trade within the scope of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The Austrian side supports Russia's intention to join the WTO and OECD.
Since 1994, the Joint Russian-Austrian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation (IGC) has been operating. The co-chairs are: from the Russian side - the Minister of Education and Science A.A. Fursenko; with Austrian - Federal Minister of Economics and Labor M. Bartenstein. The next session of the IPC was held in Kaluga in October 2006.
Interaction is being established law enforcement... The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and Austria maintain regular working contacts. In January 1990, an interdepartmental agreement was signed on cooperation in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime. In September 2005, during the visit to Moscow of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Austria L. Prokop, a Protocol on cooperation between the Ministries of Internal Affairs of Russia and Austria for the period 2006-2007 was signed.
The participation of Russian regions is expanding in Russian-Austrian relations. In December 2005, the presentation of the North-West Federal District was successfully held in Austria with the participation of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the North-West Federal District, II Klebanov. Earlier in Vienna, the presentation of the Ural Federal District, Moscow, Irkutsk, Chelyabinsk, Tomsk, Kemerovo, Perm regions, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) took place. The Days of Moscow in Vienna were successfully held on September 17-22, 2005.
In 2002-2005. compensations were paid by Austria to Russian citizens involved in forced labor during World War II on Austrian territory (an intergovernmental agreement on this issue was signed in November 2000). As of the end of December 2005, 12,257 people received compensation. for a total amount of 25.9 million euros. The program of voluntary payments to former forced laborers under the Austrian Reconciliation Fund Act has been largely completed.
In 2002, the Chief Military Prosecutor's Office in accordance with the Law of the Russian Federation "On the rehabilitation of victims political repression"The process of rehabilitation of Austrian citizens unjustifiably repressed by the Soviet authorities was completed on October 18, 1991. More than 1000 appeals were considered, more than 660 people were rehabilitated.
Cultural ties have traditionally played an important role in Russian-Austrian relations. On the basis of the 1998 intergovernmental Agreement on Cultural Cooperation, a number of targeted programs in the field of culture and art are being implemented, fruitful contacts are maintained between theater and musical groups, museums, libraries, creative universities, and direct ties between cities and regions of Russia and Austria are being developed and improved.
In April-May 2005, the Days of Russian Culture were held in Baden, dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Austria from fascism. Austria was widely represented in the cultural program of celebrating the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. In particular, in June 2003, Moscow and St. Petersburg hosted concerts of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by V. Gergiev, organized with the personal assistance of the then Federal President of Austria T. Klestil.
The Russian side is considering the claim of the Austrian government for the return of a number of cultural property displaced to Soviet Union from the territory of Germany during the war. In November 2006, a resolution of the Russian Government was adopted on the transfer of a part of the archival funds of Austrian origin to Austria.
On April 20, talks between the Foreign Ministers of Austria and Russia took place in Moscow. What issues were discussed during the meeting between Karin Kneissl and Sergey Lavrov? Why was this meeting so important for Austria and Russia?
Austria and Russia are now important economic partners. About 50 years ago, the USSR began supplying gas to Austria. Now Russia continues to closely cooperate with Austria in the fields of energy and economics. On October 1, 1995, the "Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation" between Russia and Austria entered into force. The main provisions of this agreement:
- Russia and Austria will strive to continue traditional mutual deliveries of goods, especially Russian energy carriers, to Austria, as well as to increase mutual trade.
- Countries are showing particular interest in cooperation in areas such as exploration, production, processing, transportation, marketing, rational use oil and natural gas and other basic raw materials.
We can say that these provisions are now being implemented. Economic interaction between Russia and Austria is growing. For example, over the past 2017, trade between the countries increased by 40%. In addition, Russian investment in the Austrian economy has reached $ 23 billion, and Austrian investment in the Russian economy has reached $ 5 billion.
Thus, the economic cooperation between Austria and Russia creates a kind of "foundation" for the further development of mutually beneficial bilateral relations between states in all spheres of society. Austria strives to establish trust diplomatic relations with Russia, since he sees in her not only a strictly economic partner, but also an important strategic and geopolitical ally. Therefore, on February 28, 2018, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for the first time for negotiations. During the meeting, they discussed not only economic issues, but also the possibility of further deepening cooperation between the European Union and Russia, and also touched upon some international problems.
This meeting pushed Austria to further improve relations with Russia. Austria has stated that Russia has an important role to play in resolving the conflict in Syria. Austria also supported Russia in the Skripal case. Austria did not expel its diplomats and continued its course of rapprochement with Russia.
So, on April 20, a meeting between Karin Kneissl and Sergey Lavrov took place. During the talks, the Foreign Ministers of Austria and Russia discussed the prospects for the development of Russian-Austrian relations, the schedule of political contacts at next year as well as the development of cooperation between countries in all areas. Also, were discussed further prospects joint activities of PJSC Gazprom and Austrian oil and gas concern OMV in the energy sector. The importance of the implementation of the 2011 Partnership for Modernization Declaration was emphasized. Within the framework of this declaration, Russia and Austria are promoting many large-scale infrastructure projects. In addition, great attention was paid to deepening the cultural integration of Austria and Russia. This year is the year of music and cultural routes, which will contribute to the development of contacts between people, the growth of mutual understanding and the establishment of relations between countries. One more important point that has been discussed is the future Austrian EU Presidency, which will begin on 1 July 2018. The Austrian presidency can bring relaxation to relations between the EU and Russia, which will help to respond more quickly to external threats, establish friendly relations and improve interaction between countries.
The talks also touched upon the settlement of various conflicts, especially the situation in Syria. In addition, Austria and Russia have common interests in the interaction of countries in the field of combating terrorism and solving problems with illegal migration.
Sergei Lavrov spoke about the negotiations between Austria and Russia: "Despite the not very simple situation in Europe, the dialogue between our states continues to move forward in a constructive manner."
Karin Kneissl, in turn, said: "We really hope that we can maintain continuity in our relationship."
Thus, Austria and Russia are gradually moving towards rapprochement, trying to get away from economic centrism in their relations. More and more, both countries are striving for close cooperation in the international arena in order to be able to respond to any threats from outside and support each other in different situations. Perhaps it is Austria that will help Russia to improve relations with the countries of the European Union, and will also contribute to the lifting of mutual sanctions.
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Duseev Alexey
Russia and Austria traditionally maintain friendly and constructive relations, pursuing the principles of pragmatism in the context of the general unstable situation in the world and characterized by mutual respect.
Political contacts
In 2017, as in the previous year, the intensity of bilateral political contacts was at a high level. The most important of the visits and meetings that took place were:
January 18, Moscow - meeting of the heads of the foreign affairs agencies of Russia and Austria, Sergei Lavrov and Sebastian Kurz.
February 18, Munich - meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia and Austria.
March 23, Vienna - meeting of Speaker of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko and Vice-Chairman of the National Council of Austria Norbert Hofer.
March 31, Vienna - an official meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Kozak and the Vice-Chancellor of Austria Reinhold Mitterlehner.
May 29, Moscow - Working visit of the Minister of the Interior of Austria Wolfgang Sobotka, where he met with the Minister of the Interior of Russia Vladimir Kolokoltsev, Minister of North Caucasus Lev Kuznetsov and Minister of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters Vladimir Puchkov.
June 2, St. Petersburg - meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Federal Chancellor Christian Kern.
June 16, Moscow - visit of the Vice-President of the National Council Karlheinz Kopf.
June 21 and September 7, Vienna - negotiations between the Ministers of Justice of Russia and Austria, Alexander Konovalov, with Wolfgang Brandstätter.
July 11, Mauerbach - Russian and Austrian Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov and Sebastian Kurz meet.
August 30, Alpbach - meeting of the Minister for North Caucasus Affairs Lev Kuznetsov with the Minister Agriculture Austria André Rupprechter and the head of the federal state of Tyrol Gunther Platter.
November 27, Vienna - negotiations between the Ministers of Culture of Russia and Austria Vladimir Medinsky and Thomas Drotsda.
December 6, Vienna - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meets with Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
December 7, Vienna - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meets with Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz and former Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer.
December 13, Vienna - bilateral consultations between Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Vladimir Titov and Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria Michael Linhart.
On December 18, in Moscow, the new Austrian Ambassador to Russia, Johannes Aigner, met with the Deputy Minister of the Russian Foreign Ministry Vladimir Titov and presented him with a copy of his credentials.
Austrian OSCE Chairmanship
Russia and Austria actively cooperated throughout the year under the Austrian chairmanship of the OSCE.
At the same time, we would like to note with disappointment and regret that three Russian journalists representing the Republic of Crimea were banned from entering Austria to participate in the OSCE conference in Vienna on freedom of the media, as well as the refusal to broadcast their video messages during this event.
Economic cooperation
European Union sanctions continue to affect and affect Russian-Austrian economic relations.
Nevertheless, preliminary statistics on the development of Russian-Austrian trade were positive. According to Russian data, in January-September 2017, there was an increase of 27.2% in the volume of trade between the two states (almost $ 2.5 billion: + 49.7% or $ 948 million of Russian exports to Austria and +16, 4% or $ 1.5 billion of Austrian exports to Russia). For the first time in three years, the dynamics are showing positive results, and the Russian side is convinced that there are opportunities to further improve bilateral economic and infrastructural cooperation.
The most significant events of business cooperation between the two countries include the meetings of the Russian-Austrian Business Council: June 21 in Vienna and November 23-24 in Kazan.
In 2017, Gazprom and OMV continued to intensify their cooperation. In 2018, both concerns plan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Russian (Soviet) gas supplies to Austria. The Nord Stream - 2 project, as before, remains the central issue of the Russian-Austrian energy dialogue.
Tourism "Russia - Austria 2017"
Last year, the joint Russian-Austrian initiative "Year of Tourism 2017" was successfully implemented, which was launched at the Vienna Tourism Fair in January. Thanks to joint efforts, it was possible to further revive the tourist exchange between Russia and Austria. According to preliminary estimates, the number of Austrian tourists in Russia in the first half of 2017 increased by 33% and Russian tourists in Austria by 40%.
During the year, Russian air carriers, including Aeroflot, Utair and S7, launched additional flights between Moscow and Vienna.
Culture Exchange. Year of Music and Cultural Routes of Russia-Austria 2018
Russian-Austrian cultural exchange has traditionally been at a very high level. Russian art (music, theater, cinema, painting) is represented in Vienna and other federal states almost everywhere. Austrian artists and artists have always enjoyed wide popularity and high recognition in Russia.
Russia and Austria proclaimed 2018 the Year of Music and Cultural Routes. This new Russian-Austrian initiative is conceived as a continuation of the "Year of Tourism" and is aimed at further deepening bilateral interregional humanitarian contacts. This time, among other things, through music, art and famous cultural figures who connect the history and cultures of our countries.
Oleg Ivanov
Based on materials from the press service of the Russian embassy in Vienna
Photo: pixabay.com