Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said in an interview with Wiener Zeitung that he shared the view that in the long term stability and security in Europe are possible only together with Russia.
According to the minister, there was hope that Russia would become part of a “society with Western values”, but Moscow went its own way.
“When it comes to this, I always quote German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier with pleasure. He said that in the long run, stability and security in Europe are possible only with Russia, and not when confronting it”, – Schallenberg said.
He added that Austria has always tried to keep channels for dialogue open.
“Mutual game of silence has never brought anything to anyone”, – the diplomat said, pointing out that dialogue does not mean giving up one’s own values.
Earlier, the new Austrian government published a work program, which says about continuing the course on easing sanctions against Russia. The program also says that the government will continue to develop the Sochi Dialogue Russian-Austrian public forum.