Interfax's Interview

 Mr. President, what significance do you attach to the coming official visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Austria? Are you planning to sign any bilateral agreements, and if so - what are they?

For a very long time Austria and Russia enjoy excellent, friendly relations. The forthcoming official visit of President Putin to Austria will be a visible sign of this well-developed partnership and friendship between our nations.

The visit shall promote our relations in many fields and there is also the intention to possibly sign an agreement on emergency/catastrophe assistance; experts are finalizing the text these days. All together the visit of President Putin to Austria is of great importance to our political and economic cooperation and therefore there is an outstanding interest for this visit.

 How do you assess the current situation and prospects of political, economic and investment interaction between Austria and Russia? What spheres of cooperation do you consider to be most attractive, where do you see unused reserves?

Our bilateral trade has developed over the years in a very positive and promising way.  Our trade volume has continuously grown and amounted to around 4.6 billion ˆ in 2006. Last year our exports boomed and increased by 31%. Russia has been the export market with the most rapid growth among Austria’s twenty most important trading partners. 

Russian investments in Austria as well as Austrian investments in Russia have continuously increased in recent years. The latest acquisition of a stake in an Austrian construction firm by a Russian investor gives testimony to the growing potential of close Austrian-Russian cooperation.

Regarding potentials and prospects: An ever growing number of Austrian firms are engaging in Russia in the improvement and modernisation of transport, health infrastructure as well as in efficient production and use of energy.

Austrian firms have an excellent reputation in the development of innovative environmental technologies, in the field of water and sanitation, recycling and waste management. Austria avails itself of outstanding technologies and know-how in these fields, which could be of great interest for Russian partners.

Another area of interest for further cooperation in Russia is the development of sport and recreation tourism including the construction of hotels and spas, where Austria has a long tradition and great expertise.

 Russia is often criticized in the West because it allegedly is using energy resources as a political weapon. What do you think about it? Does Austria consider Russia to be a reliable energy supplier?

Austria and Russia have been partners in the field of energy cooperation for decades. In 1968 Austria concluded a long-term gas supply contract with the then Soviet Union and during the ensuing four decades Russia proved itself a reliable energy supplier. I am convinced that this relationship based on mutual trust will continue in the future.

Today the Russian Federation is the main supplier of natural gas not only for Austria but also for the EU. About 70 % of natural gas and 28 % of oil imports to Austria stem from Russian sources.

A few months ago the Austrian energy company OMV and Gazprom concluded a new long term agreement on Russian gas supply running until 2027.

  We know that Gazprom is planning to construct a gas pipeline Blue Stream 2 reaching northern Italy. However there exists another plan for construction of Nabucco pipeline without Russian participation. Which project is preferable for Italy? Do you think it is possible to join together the Blue Stream 2 and Nabucco?

 Due to the growing demand for natural gas in Europe, the Nabucco pipeline was identified as one of four EU priority projects in the field of energy infrastructure; a fact also emphasized in the Conclusions of the European Council last March. Nabucco will open a fourth corridor of gas supply to the European Gas Market and will contribute to the diversification of transport routes to the EU. Gazprom can use Nabucco for bringing additional gas to the European Union. In any case, Europe will need more gas in future. In my opinion it is not a question of either Nabucco or Blue Stream but of as well as.

 Many Western nations are accusing Russia of departing from democracy, violating human rights, they detect political motives behind criminal events. What is your position in this issue?

Russia and the European Union have agreed to build their partnership on common values, such as fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law. 

These are truly common, European values, to which Russians, Austrians, and indeed all peoples on the continent have aspired since a long time.

We, Russia and the countries of the European Union, have also subscribed to these principles in the framework of the Council of Europe, the OSCE, and the United Nations. In these fora, we have agreed that we do not regard these issues as internal matters.

Without teaching each other we should have an open dialogue among equals on these values and their practical implementation as an important element of our partnership.
It seems clear to me that in a democratic country freedom of the press and the possibility to criticize developments in one’s own country or in other countries must be guaranteed.

herefore Russian media can criticize certain developments in Austria and Austrian media can criticize certain problems in Russia.
 
 The U.S. has proposed to the Czech Republic and Poland to deploy components of the U.S. missile defence system. As the President of the country neighbouring on the Czech Republic and Poland and maintaining neutrality, how do you see these plans of Washington? Can deployment of U.S. missile defence system bring a split in Europe?

 The establishment in Europe of installations in the framework of the US national missile defence system is a question of strategic sensitivity. Therefore we favour a maximum of transparency and dialogue on this issue: this includes a discussion of this topic among all states directly or indirectly concerned and including, of course, also the Russian Federation. It is not only a matter between the United States, Poland and Czech Republic, it concerns Europe as a whole.

We consider the fact that this missile defence system is now being discussed in NATO and in the NATO-Russia Council a positive development and we are confident that through steps like this it will be possible to ensure that the basis of mutual confidence between all sides involved remains fully intact and that the legitimate security needs of all are duly taken into account.

Weapons of mass destruction and their carrier systems definitely represent a very real threat to all of us and constitute an issue of considerable importance for overall European and Euro-Atlantic security. In Austria’s view, the primary means to counter this threat are well coordinated non-proliferation and arms control efforts and strict export controls. Multilateral instruments already existing in these fields must be enhanced.

Austria’s policy will continue to be guided by the principle of aiming at a maximum level of security at the lowest possible level of armaments.

 How would you describe present relations between Russia and the European Union? One of the issues where the opinions of Russia and European Union are fundamentally different is the issue of the status of Kosovo. What is the Austrian position? Do you agree with the opinion, that if Kosovo gains independence, this event can become a precedent?

 Russia is the Union’s largest neighbour to the East and an important strategic partner. We share a common responsibility for our continent. We are both committed to a strategic partnership. That does not mean that we always agree.  The recent EU - Russia Summit in Samara showed this clearly but also showed something else:  Both sides can have a constructive, frank and open dialogue on the broad range of issues determining the overall EU Russia relationship. This includes very specific questions like the Polish meat issue, which involves a great deal of technical detail, as well as the broader, more strategic picture. Both go hand in hand. In the end, we have to bear in mind that both EU and Russia are inextricably interlinked by common interests and mutual dependency. And that relates not only to the energy sector. Our trade relations, as has been very positively noted also at the recent summit, have never been better. EU investments in Russia and Russian investment in the EU keep growing. The EU is cooperating with the Russian Federation in many areas, be it in the economic field, in security questions or in science and education. 

We have to look to the future - rather than to the past - in a true, sincere and open spirit of partnership and bearing in mind our mutual reliance. That is why I believe that the EU needs a new agreement with Russia to meet all the challenges of the future.
 
Let me stress my appreciation for the many fruitful contacts and regular exchange of views between Austrian and Russian representatives on the Western Balkans.

The Russian Federation and Austria share a common interest in a successful transformation of this region.  To this end, it is necessary to find a solution for the Kosovo status.

The EU is convinced that a decision is required for the sake of stability and security in the region. It is our common position that Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari in intensive negotiations has achieved a well balanced proposal for a settlement, which takes into account the interests of Serbs living in Kosovo. We therefore, strongly believe that this proposal should be the basis for a decision to be taken by the Security Council of the United Nations.

Of course, Austria would prefer - as does the Russian Federation - a negotiated solution that is acceptable for the Serbian as well as for the Albanian side. But if such a solution should not be possible, a fair decision of the Security Council in this very special case in our opinion is necessary because it could be dangerous to have the present situation without solution or without a perspective. Due to the specific history of Kosovo and the special responsibility of the International Community, the United Nations have clearly committed themselves to make Kosovo a special case.

I am convinced that Austria and Russia agree about the importance of the European Perspective for the whole region, including Serbia and Kosovo. This constitutes the best way to ensure that all people can live in peace, security and dignity. 
  
 Austria is a Russian tourist’s favourite place for all seasons. Can we expect an alleviation of tourist visa regime between Austria and Russia? Are you expecting considerable expansion of cultural and business contacts after the Agreement on Simplification of Visa Regime between the EU and Russia comes into force?

As you are probably aware, questions concerning the visa regime are dealt with on an EU level.

The EU and Russia agree on the long-term goal of a bilateral visa-free regime. However, a number of intermediate steps will be required.

An important step towards this end is the visa facilitation agreement which will come into force on 1 June 2007.  The agreement sets out simplified criteria for issuing multiple-entry visas for certain categories of people, such as business people, students, journalists, participants in scientific and cultural exchange. However, it does not so far include tourists. But according to this agreement, visa fees for Russians will be substantially lower than for citizens of other countries.

Considering the new rules laid down in this agreement I am convinced that cultural, business and private contacts are going to intensify significantly. At the same time we are glad that so many guests from Russia decide to spend their holidays in Austria. They are most welcome. The Austrian Embassy in Moscow is doing its utmost to offer Russian visa applicants a fast, efficient and customer friendly service.

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In concluding, I would like to repeat once again, that Austria is looking forward to the visit of President Putin to Austria. I am convinced that his visit will provide an important impetus to our bilateral relationship.

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