Alleged Espionage Not Going To Undermine Ties With Russia For Long - Austrian President

VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th November, 2018) The case of Austria's ex-colonel suspected of spying in favor of Russia will not jeopardize the relations with Moscow in the long run, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said.

"This will not seriously shadow our relations with the Russian government for a long time," Van der Bellen said late on Monday in an interview with the Austrian ORF broadcaster.

The president went on to say that espionage is unacceptable, but at the same time all special services are trying to obtain information via various methods, including the illegal ones.

On Friday, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz confirmed that a retired Austrian colonel was suspected of espionage for Moscow and demanded that the Russian side provided "transparent" information on the matter.

Moscow in response expressed protest to Austrian Ambassador to Russia Johannes Aigner over the accusations. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Vienna's steps were based on suspicions without evidence, adding that Austria's statements over the spy scandal had already complicated bilateral relations.