Russian, Austrian presidents to hold talks in Moscow

MOSCOW, May 19 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his
Austrian counterpart Heinz Fischer will hold talks in Moscow on Thursday.
They are expected to sign a Partnership for Modernization Declaration that
will bring bilateral cooperation in the field of innovations to a
qualitatively new level.
The Kremlin press service told Itar-Tass that the Declaration would be
complete with a joint Action program for developing Russian-Austrian
cooperation in economic modernization that will contain a list of most
significant cooperation projects in science-intensive fields as well as
agreements on scientific-technological cooperation and interaction in
competitive policy, the press service emphasized.
Heinz Fischer arrived in Moscow for an official visit on Wednesday at
the invitation of President Dmitry Medvedev. He will stay in Russia until
May 21. The program includes Thursday's negotiations with Dmitry Medvedev
as well as meetings with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Moscow Mayor
Sergei Sobyanin. The Austrian president will be present at the opening of
a Russian-Austrian business forum and will make a trip to Tatarstan.
"The current visit of the Austrian president is a vital step towards
deepening friendly Russian-Austrian relations, development of political
dialogue which has traditionally been constructive and characterized by
good partnership, " the Kremlin press service emphasized.
Medvedev and Fischer will discuss key aspects of bilateral agenda,
including trade, economic and investment cooperation, the Kremlin press
service emphasized.
In 2010, trade turnover between the two countries stood at 3.48
billion dollars; the volume of Austrian investments in the Russian economy
was estimated at 4.2 billion dollars in late 2010, including direct
investments - 2.4 billion dollars. Austria occupies 12th place by the
number of foreign investments accumulated in Russia.
The Kremlin press service said there are plans to involve Austrian
firms to the creation of a tourist cluster in the North Caucasus and the
erection of sport facilities for the 2018 World Football Championship.
Austrian companies renowned for their experience in tourist business
and winter sports are already participating in the construction of
infrastructure and sport facilities for the 2014 Olympic games in Sochi.
"Traditionally, energy partnership has been crucial for our countries.
First of all, it's the construction of the South Stream project, which is
to strengthen the energy security of Central and South Eastern Europe.
Joint work in the direction goes effectively according to plan," the
Kremlin press service went on to say.
On Thursday, the Russian and Austrian leaders are planning to exchange
views on global and regional issues such as the Russia-EU relations, the
Middle East and the Situation in Northern Africa.
"Russia and Austria hold identical approaches to most vital aspects of
the international situation and to processes of world and European
development. This provides a solid foundation for fruitful dialogue and
expansion of effective interaction in the international political arena,"
the Kremlin press service said.