On the eve of the Austrian President held talks with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev. Traditional theme for the Russian-Austrian talks, is a partnership in the energy sector, where the first term – the construction of South Stream gas pipeline, designed to strengthen the energy security of Central and Southeastern Europe. As noted by Medvedev, the project has recently gained significant momentum. " Medvedev also expressed Russia's readiness to cooperate with Austria in the field of alternative energy to make the necessary arrangements. He stressed that parties should not "dwell only on the supply of hydrocarbons." According to the Russian president, "it is a very important area of cooperation, but not unique, and Russia hopes to use the experience of Austria in alternative energy. Medvedev said he hoped that between the Russian and Austrian firms formed "a productive alliance." Other important economic projects of strategic importance is the joint with Slovakia and Ukraine, a broad-extension of the railway from Kosice to Vienna and the establishment of a logistics center on the Danube. Considerable attention in meetings and discussions on topical issues of trade, economic and investment cooperation. In order to coordinate joint action in this area has already been launched and successfully operating mechanism of the Russian-Austrian commission on trade and economic cooperation. There is also a Russian-Austrian Business Council (RADS). The trade turnover between Russia and Austria in 2010 amounted to 3.48 billion: exports – 1.02 billion dollars, import – 2,46 billion dollars. In this case, the accumulated volume of Austrian investments in the Russian economy at the end of 2010 amounted to 4.2 billion dollars, including direct investments – 2,4 billion dollars. Austria occupies 12 th place in terms of accumulated foreign investment in Russia. Planned to continue to strengthen investment cooperation. Among the priority projects also connect Austrian businesses to draft a tourism cluster in the North Caucasus region, construction of facilities in preparation for the World Cup in 2018, which will be held in Russia. At the same time, Austrian companies with recognized expertise in the field of tourism and winter sports, are already involved in building infrastructure and sports facilities for the Olympic Games 2014 in Sochi. Russia and its European partners are also actively discussing the issues of simplification of visa regime with the subsequent release of a visa-free regime. Elimination of visa barriers between Russia and the EU will make the parties' cooperation more effective, the declaration says the presidents of Russia and Austria, which the leaders signed the day before. The final declaration stated that the parties are willing to participate in the negotiations "aimed at completing the dialogue on visa-free regime between Russia and the EU." During the summit, Russia – the EU, which was held from 31 May to 1 June 2010, Russia handed over the EU draft agreement on visa-free regime. Russian President's press conference after that meeting said that Russia is nothing to prevent cancel visa regime with the EU "tomorrow" and urged Brussels to reach a consensus on this issue. In his article in the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, published in November, Russia's prime minister urged the EU to define a clear deadline to cancel visas.
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