The 2nd Russian-Austrian
Economic Dialogue Austria as a Bridge between Europe and Eurasia took place
in Vienna. The event was organized by the Roscongress Foundation and the
Association Conoscere Eurasia. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Russia to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the
International Peace Foundation HSH Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein, State
Secretary of the Union State of Russia and Belarus Grigory Rapota, Member of
the European Parliament Barbara Kappel, President of the Association Conoscere
Eurasia Antonio Fallico, Russian Trade Representative in Austria Alexander
Potemkin, Minister of the Moscow City Government and Head of the Department for
Foreign Economic Relations Sergey Cheremin took part in the event. More than
100 businessmen from Russia, Austria, Italy, Belarus and other countries came
to Vienna to participate in the dialogue.
One of the main subjects of the meeting was
the discussion of global integration processes. The participants noted that Russian-European
economic relations are currently on the rise. A special role in the development
of present-day relations between Russia and Europe is played by Austria, which
acts as the catalyst for the positive development of interaction.
«Russia pays much attention to integration
processes and the search for a common denominator in the Eurasian integration
models. The Eurasian Economic Union is a fairly young association, but it
demonstrates positive results already. Russia welcomes the fact that, despite
all the restrictions imposed by its EU membership, Vienna looks to the future
and favours restoring an atmosphere of trust,» Russias Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky says.
Barbara Kappel, Member of the European Parliament,
noted Austrias consistent position in supporting the ongoing dialogue between
East and West: «Austria is indeed a bridge between Russia and Europe, as
evidenced by regular and quite frequent visits at the highest level, the
strengthening and deepening of economic relations, the new emerging format of
communication the Sochi Dialogue Forum. Austria can make a significant
contribution to improving relations between the EU and Eurasia.»
Austrias
constructive approach to the development of cooperation with Russia and Eurasia
was also emphasized by Antonio Fallico, President of the Association Conoscere Eurasia: «It is
worth noting that Austrias friendly stance towards Russia has not been
interrupted despite any sanctions.»
Sergey Cheremin,
Minister of the Moscow City Government, Head of the Department of Foreign
Economic Activity and International Relations, stressed the long-term
cooperation of Austria with the Russian capital. «I would like to point out
that Austrian companies did not cut investments in Moscow and did not leave the
Moscow market even in the most difficult times of sanctions,» he said.
At the events
conclusion, Antonio Fallico invited all participants to take part in SPIEF 2019
and continue the constructive dialogue.
The 2nd
Russian-Austrian Economic Dialogue is not the only event of the Association Conoscere Eurasia and the
Roscongress Foundation aimed at facilitating an informal dialogue on economic,
trade and integration issues between the key players in Eurasia. The 12th
Eurasian Economic Forum will be held in Verona on 2425 October. Traditionally,
the event will be attended by ministers of the Eurasian Economic Commission,
representatives of the European Commission, political and public figures,
governors, ambassadors, heads of systemically important corporations from the
participating countries, experts and media representatives.
The First
Connecting Eurasia Dialogue from the Atlantic to the Pacific was held in
Brussels in March 2019. The main themes of discussion were Many strategies,
one goal, Sustainable connectivity and dialogue on standards, Connecting
Eurasia in practice.