Europe News PREVIEW: Little hope for improving EU ties as Putin goes to Vienna
By Ivonne Marschall May 22, 2007, 13:15 GMT Vienna - Austrian hopes that a 24-hour-visit by President Vladimir Putin starting on Wednesday will help overcome the current Russian-EU crisis look overblown. Putin's tight schedule will focus on bilateral and economic issues, while tensions with the European Union remain unsolved. Ahead of the visit, Putin let it be known he regarded the visit as a milestone in bilateral relations, having a pragmatic and informal character. The tensions overshadowing last week's EU-Russia summit at Samara, with issues ranging from Russian import bans on Polish meat to massive opinion differences on security and human rights, will be an important undercurrent in the Austria-Russian talks. Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer shares some common ground with Moscow regarding Russia's opposition to US-plans for establishing a missile shield in Europe. Austria is directly affected with a planned radar station in the Czech Republic, Austria's immediate neighbour. Gusenbauer regards the plans of the Bush administration with profound scepticism and repeatedly warned against a new arms race. A major point of concern for Austria is the future status of the breakaway Serb province Kosovo. With the Balkans traditionally being a focus of Austrian foreign policy, Austria is anxious that no solution acceptable to both sides, Serbia and Kosovo's ethnic Albanians, seems within reach. Austria supports the plans by UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari for internationally monitored independence, while Russia is only willing to accept a solution that satisfied Belgrade. Human rights and freedom of expression are an underlying theme of Putin's second official visit to the country since 2001. While Putin and late Austrian president Thomas Klestil enjoyed a personal friendship, some critical words are expected from the current incumbent, Heinz Fischer and the chancellor. Ahead of the visit Putin cancelled an interview with Austrian state TV, apparently on grounds of 'unfriendly reporting', criticizing a preview showing images of the Chechen conflict. With bilateral relations being mostly friction-free, the large business delegation accompanying Putin is a signal for the shared interest in mutual investment. A number of Russia's leading oligarchs, including billionaires Oleg Deripaska and Viktor Vekselberg, are joining Putin in Vienna. Austrian exports to Russia grew by 31.2 per cent to 2.2 billion euros in 2006, the Austrian trade chamber said. As Austria currently receives 59 per cent of its gas and 16 per cent of its oil imports from Russia, the country has a huge interest in security of supply. So while there may be some gentle reminder to Putin on the human rights issue, business interests will make sure that Austria will attempt to keep the atmosphere amiable. Putin will arrive Wednesday mid-morning and depart Thursday morning after visiting the Soviet war memorial in Vienna's city centre. C 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur http://news.monstersandcritics.com/europe/news/article_1307682.php/PREVIEW_L ittle_hope_for_improving_EU_ties_as_Putin_goes_to_Vienna
