SOCHI (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 15th May, 2019) Russia appreciates Austria's neutrality in Europe and believes its non-aligned status is conducive to the development of bilateral relations, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at talks with his Austrian counterpart, Alexander van der Bellen, on Wednesday.
"Mr. President, you have mentioned the signing of the 1955 agreement. This agreement ... not only restored Austria's sovereignty in its entirety, but also determined Austria's neutrality in Europe. We highly appreciate it, Mr. President. I believe that [Austria's] non-aligned status helps us develop our relations today," Putin said.
The Russian president received van der Bellen, who was leading an Austrian delegation that also included Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, in Sochi.
In 1955, the governments of the Soviet Union, United States, United Kingdom and France signed the Austrian State Treaty, which granted Austria independence and ordered all occupying forces to withdraw from its territory. In a constitutional law that followed, Austria's Federal Assembly declared its "perpetual neutrality," precluding it from joining any military alliances in the future or hosting foreign military bases.
