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Bringing Europe and Russia Closer Together Discussed at the 2nd Russian-Austrian Economic Dialogue in Vienna

Bringing Europe and Russia Closer Together Discussed at the 2nd Russian-Austrian Economic Dialogue in Vienna

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,” Russia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Austria Dmitry Lyubinsky says.

Barbara Kappel, Member of the European Parliament, noted Austria’s 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.”

Austria’s 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 Austria’s 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 event’s 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 24–25 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’.

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