MOSCOW - The Austrian authorities don't intend to block members of the Russian Night Wolves biker club to run a motor rally dedicated to V-Day.
“Anyone who has a valid Schengen visa and respects our laws can visit Austria,” Austrian Minister for European, International and Integration Affairs Sebastian Kurz said in an exclusive interview granted to Interfax on the occasion of the beginning of his two-day visit to Russia answering a corresponding question.
Earlier Poland and Germany banned entry to Russian motorcyclists.
Asked whether the decision of the Austrian leadership to refrain from attending the May 9 festivities in Moscow is opportunistic Kurz said: “Let me assure you: Austria will never forget the immense sacrifices of the Allied Powers and the important role of the Soviet Union in liberating Europe and my country from fascism.”
He said that in honoring the victims Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer will lay down a wreath at the graves of Soviet soldiers at Vienna’s Central Cemetery on May 8.
“And I will do so during my visit to Moscow at the grave of the Unknown Soldier,” the minister said.
