
Russia: Austrian FM tells Lavrov he will strive for trust between East and West
Austrian Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sebastian Kurz, stated that “defusing ongoing conflicts, especially east Ukraine” was one of the OSCE’s priorities for 2017, as he met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday.
Speaking on Russia-Austrian relations, Lavrov in turn stated that the Kremlin was seeking “continuity” and was “ready to cooperate” with the recently elected Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. He added that Russia is “interested in continuing to exchange views on issues of European cooperation.”
Speaking about the OSCE's agenda, Kurz outlined three main goals for 2017, stating the promotion of conflict resolution in east Ukraine was top of the list.
The Austrian diplomat also called for the need to turn around “bloc thinking, which has been revived on our continent between East and West”, urging for both sides to trust each other more.
Kurz was in Moscow to discuss Russo-Austrian ties, as well as issues related to his role as OSCE chair.

Austrian Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Sebastian Kurz, stated that “defusing ongoing conflicts, especially east Ukraine” was one of the OSCE’s priorities for 2017, as he met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday.
Speaking on Russia-Austrian relations, Lavrov in turn stated that the Kremlin was seeking “continuity” and was “ready to cooperate” with the recently elected Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. He added that Russia is “interested in continuing to exchange views on issues of European cooperation.”
Speaking about the OSCE's agenda, Kurz outlined three main goals for 2017, stating the promotion of conflict resolution in east Ukraine was top of the list.
The Austrian diplomat also called for the need to turn around “bloc thinking, which has been revived on our continent between East and West”, urging for both sides to trust each other more.
Kurz was in Moscow to discuss Russo-Austrian ties, as well as issues related to his role as OSCE chair.