Patil in Vienna on last leg of 2-nation visit

Vienna, Oct 4: President Pratibha Patil today (Oct 4) arrived here on a four-day official visit to Austria during which she will hold bilateral talks with her counterpart Heinz Fischer. Patil, who flew in from Switzerland, was received at the airport by the country's Science and Research Minister Karlheinz Tochterle and was given a 21-round gun salute.

During her visit here, Patil will hold bilateral talks with her Fischer and will meet the Federal Chancellor of Austria, Werner Faymann. The President will also visit the Austrian Parliament and meet the President of the National Council, Barbara Prammer and members of the Friends of India Group in the Austrian Parliament.

Indian officials said certain agreements are also likely to be signed during her stay in the country. The President will address the India-Austria Business Forum Meet in Vienna on October 6. A 45-member business delegation is also accompanying the President.

Two-way trade in 2010 between India and Austria was over USD 1.2 billion. President was in Switzerland earlier on a state visit during which India and Switzerland signed an MoU on Financial Dialogue that will pave the way for greater cooperation between the two countries' tax authorities.

PTI