MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Boris Kaimakov) - Tomorrow, President Vladimir Putin will start an official visit to Austria.
The general atmosphere of the visit is rather tense after Russia and the European Union lashed out at each other at the Samara summit.
Vienna has always had a soft spot for Russia, but today it is also involved in regular debates on the freedom of the press, demonstrations and human rights in Russia. Russian officials have admitted more than once that the militia was obviously overzealous in dealing with demonstrations. During the summit in Samara, demonstrations were allowed but only 200 people took part in them. Law enforcers were their usual self, trying to prevent activists from arriving in Samara.
All these facts are poisoning the atmosphere of the visit. Putin has got tired of being responsible for the actions of security agencies. It transpired today that the planned interviews with Austrian television and other media have been cancelled.
This is routine practice during official visits, all the more so since there is nothing to add and the guests would like the visit to have a different atmosphere. Putin will lay wreaths to the monument of the Soviet Soldier in downtown Vienna. This will be the visit's highlight. I have been to Vienna many times and I know that this monument enjoys respect in Austria. It is not even possible to imagine Austrians behaving like Estonians did recently. They remember well that the Soviet soldier freed them from Nazism. Austria was Europe's first state to lose its independence when Hitler enforced the Anschluss. When Vladimir Putin bows to the monument, Austrian officials will follow suit - not simply because of protocol or out of respect but in gratitude to the warriors who routed Nazism.
Postwar Austria has always been loyal to Russia owing to its official neutrality and very close cultural and economic links with Moscow. Vienna has always made good use of its location in the heart of Europe, particularly in dealing with electricity and gas supplies. Virtually every other Austrian family uses Siberian gas to make its morning coffee. Moreover, Austria is the first European country to sign an agreement on gas supplies with Gazprom until 2027. It is not afraid of energy dependence on Moscow.
President Putin and Federal Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer are expected at the Russian-Austrian economic forum. Bilateral trade is booming and they have a lot to discuss. Russia is a leader among 20 major importers of Austrian goods. President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber Christoph Leitl predicts that the trade boom will continue for the next five years.
Leading Russian industrialists will accompany Putin in Austria. The Russian press does not give extensive coverage to Russian business participation in the Austrian economy, but Vienna is quite positive about billion dollar projects in the construction and communications industries. It is not afraid of Russian economic domination and welcomes business cooperation.
As before, stable energy supplies are of major importance for Austria. In 2006, oil and gas amounted to 87% of Austrian imports, or 2.4 billion Euros in value terms. The Austrians always complained that their exports are far below imports and asked Moscow to balance out the ratio. Moscow has met them halfway and Vladimir Putin will be given credit for that. Cooperation is making rapid headway in the machine building and chemical industries, providing jobs for tens of thousands of Austrians.
On the eve of the Russian president's visit, Austrian business community publicly expressed its positive attitude towards Russia. Mr Leitl said: "Austria knows the Russian soul and has a high opinion of Russia and its people. Russia and Austria are linked by mutual liking and mutual interests in the economy, culture and tourism."
Well, let's make an allowance for a natural desire of businessmen to keep good relations with their partners. But it would be no exaggeration to say that these relations are based on deep respect for the graves and monuments to Soviet soldiers, traditional Austrian hospitality towards Russian tourists and esteem for the great nation. Vladimir Putin is in for a hearty welcome in Austria.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.
