Vladimir Putin to visit Austria June 24

World June 20, 2014, 14:41

The South Stream gas project will be in the focus of Putin’s meetings with Austrian officials

MOSCOW, June 20. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia's President Vladimir Putin will make an official visit to Austria on June 24 at the invitation of Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer, the Kremlin has said.

“Putin and Fischer will discuss a wide range of bilateral and international issues,” the Kremlin reported on Friday.

“Putin will also have talks with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann. Special attention will be paid to trade and investment cooperation, and the implementation of joint projects in the energy sector, transport and high tech,” the Kremlin added.

Putin is planning to meet with Russian and Austrian businessmen, the Kremlin noted.

The South Stream gas project will be in the focus of Putin’s meetings with Austrian officials, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said.

“This issue will be discussed. Of course, this is a very important topic,” he said.

Several agreements are expected to be signed, particularly a deal between Russia’s Gazprom and South Stream Austria Gmbh. Russia and Austria are planning to conclude a document on mutual assistance in the event of natural calamities and technogenic catastrophes, he said.

Putin is planning to meet with Russian and Austrian businessmen, Ushakov said.

Commenting on Russian businessmen’s delegation that will accompany Putin, Ushakov said the list had not been specified yet.

He confirmed that Russian Railways President Vladimir Yakunin and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller would be among members of the delegation.

During the visit, Putin is due to meet with OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Swiss President Didier Burkhalter.

“We’ll take the opportunity to meet with the OSCE CiO for synchronising our positions,” Ushakov said.

“Ukraine will be in the focus of the meeting. We supported the Swiss president’s ‘roadmap’,” he said.

“Discussions will be held in the context of the latest events, including within a plan that (Ukrainian President) Petro Poroshenko has to declare today,” Ushakov said.

Read more on the site →