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Top Austrian diplomat highlights need for dialogue with Russia

According to Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, climate change issues should be worked out together with Russia and China

VIENNA, March 17. /TASS/. The West and Russia need to maintain dialogue, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg told ORF television.

When asked if there were channels for dialogue between the West and Russia, namely Vienna and Moscow, he said: "Yes, there are. I am convinced this is necessary. The world is not black and white and one cannot have a one-dimensional view here."

According to the top diplomat, climate change issues should be worked out together with Russia and China. He pointed out that last year, he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of an OSCE Ministerial Council meeting to discuss ways to resolve the crisis inside the organization. Schallenberg described the conversation as important.

Meanwhile, he believes that dialogue is only possible "if there is a [clear] purpose and subject." "However, I don’t see any room for a classical bilateral meeting at this time," the Austrian foreign minister explained. In his view, Russia is unwilling to engage in talks on resolving the situation in Ukraine.

Austrian media outlets reported that the meeting between Lavrov and Schallenberg took place in the North Macedonian capital of Skopje at the OSCE’s request. The parties discussed the appointment of the international organization’s senior officials.

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