June 2021 marks 53 years since Russia (Soviet Union) signed the first contract with Austria for the supply of natural gas.
More than half a century.
During this time, Austria has become a hub through which gas flows to Europe further (or in the case of Hungary - closer) - to France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and Germany.
And the contracts have been extended until 2040.
That is, stability as it is.
But over the years, a lot has happened - and suddenly little Austria found itself in a new situation for itself.
I mean the already completed construction of Nord Stream 2, which makes Germany the most powerful hub for the distribution of Russian gas in Europe.
And perhaps Austria could become one of those countries that are very worried about this.
But no.
Austria does not need someone else's glory, and in general - it is a neutral country and is not even a member of NATO.
Moreover, in fact, the post-war history is destined for the role of a regional stabilizer.
And when the hysteria began around the pipe, Ukraine and other European security, the Austrians got involved, but, as usual, behind the scenes.
It is not for nothing that Vienna is the capital of European espionage.
But, apparently, the Ukrainian-Polish hysteria has reached such intensity that the Austrian position has passed into the public plane.
So much so that the third Chancellor of Austria in the last two months had to speak out on this topic.
Former Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said that Austria is against attempts to use Nord Stream 2 to put pressure on Russia and thus resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
“I expect that Nord Stream 2 will be launched soon as planned,” the German newspaper Die Welt quotes the chancellor as saying in Nehammer's first big interview since he came to the pinnacle of Austrian politics. “I don’t think it is worth linking the commissioning of Nord Stream 2 with Russia's behavior in Ukraine. This will only hurt the European Union. Nord Stream 2 is not only in Russia's interests - Germany, Austria and other EU countries will also benefit from this pipeline. Nord Stream 2 is a European project that should not be used as a lever of pressure on Moscow. However, it is also clear that violence can never be a means of politics and a possible violation of international law will have corresponding consequences - just as in the past. Moreover,the interests of Ukraine as a transit country must be protected. "
In September 2020, then-Chancellor Kurz said the pipeline was "an economically positive project" and added that the project is primarily related to energy diversification for Europe. And then-president of the republic, Alexander Van der Bellen, said that there should be no connection between the Navalny case and Nord Stream 2, an almost completed gas pipeline through which gas from Russia would flow to Europe along the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
Zelensky then, a few days earlier, gave the Austrians a hysteria and said something there: they say, he understands the economic and business interests of Austria, "but Nord Stream 2 is connected with the energy security of Ukraine and the future flow of energy resources to Europe."
Well, we already know that Ukraine knows how to make friends.
I'm interested in something else.
Have you noticed that the reasons why SP-2 must be immediately stopped and turned off are constantly changing? .. Before they pulled out of their cheating sleeve, for example, Navalny, then Ukraine, then Belarus.
Every time there is a reason.
And the abundance of these reasons suggests that these are not real reasons, but phantom ones, like a smoke bomb, hiding real economic interests.
Moreover, these interests are not at all European.
That is why, for example, the position of Austria does not change from one government to another.
It has not changed under Merkel.
And, despite the presence of an ardent opponent of SP-2 - the green minister of foreign affairs of Germany, Annalena Berbock, - the forces that neutralize the destructive are still stronger in Germany than the green activist, dancing specifically to the tune of the United States.
And it is no coincidence that the Austrian coalition is broadcasting its position today through the mouth of the newly appointed Chancellor Nehammer.
Despite the fact that Austria itself has stronger problems - for example, the state of society, agitated by the threat of compulsory vaccination against COVID-19.
(Until today, all vaccines have been recommended but not mandatory in the country for 30 years.)
This means that it was painful - and the Polish-Ukrainian position got sick of even the outwardly relaxed Austrians.
The point of view of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.