OREANDA-NEWS. May 19, 2011. Dmitry Medvedev and President of Austria Heinz Fischer discussed trade and economic ties, the implementation of joint projects in energy and transport, in particular the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline and the extension of a broad-gauge railway, as well as cooperation in science, technology and the humanitarian sphere.

The discussion on investment cooperation included the prospects of developing a tourism cluster in the North Caucasus and the partnership between the two states in the preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the Russia-EU partnership and the situation in the Middle East and North Africa.

The main outcome of the talks was the signing by the two heads of state of the Declaration on Partnership for Modernisation between Russia and Austria.

Other documents signed in the presence of Mr Medvedev and Mr Heinz included the Agreement in the Field of Competition Policy between the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation and the Austrian Federal Competition Authority, the Agreement between the Government of Russia and the Government of Austria on Scientific and Technical Cooperation, and a Programme of Action for the Development of Russian-Austrian Cooperation for Economic Modernisation.

Following the talks, Dmitry Medvedev and Heinz Fischer made statements for the press and answered journalists’ questions.