During talks with Austrian Federal Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer the Russian party said that it was very interested in developing bilateral economic relations, in particular in the sphere of rail transport. The Russian party stressed its interest in constructing a rail system with tracks the same width as Russian ones in central Europe. The parties emphasised just how unique Russian-Austrian cooperation in the gas sector is. The Austrian party emphasised the significance of the fact that Gazprom will construct its largest gas storage tanks in Austria, tanks that will hold a third of Austria’s yearly gas requirements.
Following the discussion in the Austrian Federal Chancellery Vladimir Putin and Alfred Gusenbauer met with representatives from the Austrian business community who were participating in the Russian-Austrian business forum in Vienna.
Speaking at the business forum, Vladimir Putin stressed the strategic importance of Russian-Austrian cooperation in the energy sector. The President placed special emphasis on agreements that give Russian energy companies an outlet to final consumers in several of Austria’s federal states.
Along with this the President considers that the economic potential and positive business climate between Russian and Austria should produce more tangible results. The theme of the Vienna summit consisted in the prospects for expanding Russian-Austrian business ties.
Vladimir Putin’s official visit to Austria was marked by an intense level of activity of both the Russian and Austrian business communities. Several documents were signed between Russian and Austrian banks during the Russian President’s visit to Austria. A number of Russian regions signed either agreements or contracts with Austrian companies.
Numerous agreements and contracts were signed within the Russian-Austrian business forum in Vienna that was held during Vladimir Putin’s visit. Among these agreements President Putin emphasised a memorandum of understanding that was signed between Gazprom and OMV AG, an Austrian gas company, on extending cooperation in gas distribution by implementing joint projects in central Europe. Vladimir Putin described this document as a good foundation for an even closer partnership between Gazprom and Austrian companies.