In the first part of this two part series, Dr Walter Feichtinger talks to DET on Austria’s rightward shift on Austria’s military neutrality following official debate in the country on the role of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) as a security guarantor in Europe.
Since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, several European countries once ‘neutral,’ namely Sweden and Finland, have ditched neutrality for NATO membership.
Austria is now just one of three European Union members to be neutral, alongside Ireland and Malta.
Walter Feichtinger is Brigadier General at the Austrian Armed Forces and Director of the Institute for Peace Support and Conflict Management (IFK) at the National Defence Academy in Vienna. A political science PhD and former tank officer, he has advised the Austrian Federal Chancellery on security policy, served as Secretary General of the Austrian Officers’ Association, and lectures at several universities.
Feichtinger is a founding member of the International Society of Military Sciences, board member of the European Forum Alpbach, and a noted author and editor on security and conflict management. Since 2017, he hosts the video blog Feichtinger kompakt on security issues.
Austria’s Neutrality: Geographic & Historical Background
(00:00) Dr Feichtinger: “When we talk about Austria’s neutrality, we have to start with the geographic and historical background.
Neutrality was established in 1955 in order to get rid of foreign troops and foreign forces. It was a first step.”
In fact, five European countries have championed formal neutrality in two waves. Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland have long been neutral following formal statehood, tradition, and convention post-Westphalia, whilst Ireland and Austria chose neutrality after the Second World War.
However, Finland and Sweden have since joined NATO citing the threat of Russia after it's illegal reinvasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Moving Parts: Russia and Ukraine
Dr Feichtinger: “However, when you look at the international geopolitical backdrop now; it is totally different to that previous time.”
By 1955, Austria formally agreed to follow the model of Switzerland regarding it's neutrality under international law. The treaty was monumental following a breakdown in the alliances of World War Two between the Allied powers, specifically the U.S. and Soviet Union. Joseph Stalin's death in 1953 sped up a brief detenté between West and East bridging some divisions by May 1955 as the Soviets, British, French, and Americans relinquished control of Austria in return for political neutrality and post-war reparations.
Dr Feichtinger: “We do not at all talk about NATO membership in Austria. It’s only about discussing about what can be done in order to foster the security situation of Austria. So NATO membership is not a topic of concern today or of public discussion so to speak or political discussion. It is only one option for Austria in the future, but not today.”
Security Guarantees Beyond NATO
(00:55) Dr Feichtinger: “What we are talking about is whether ‘the concept of neutrality’ the best for Austria?
Should neutrality be adapted to the recent developments or does it fit like it is? That’s an interesting point because if you look on the surface about 75 % of Austrians are ‘pro-neutrality.’ If you go a little bit deeper and ask the people what do they understand by saying neutral and so on, you get a very different picture.”
A 2024 Gallup survey found 74% of Austrians are in favour of maintaining neutrality, with only 21% supporting NATO membership.
Dr Feichtinger: “I would say that Austrians are little bit confused and concerned about the recent situations because on one side they have a good experience with neutrality, yet on the other side they see that it cannot be the perfect picture for the neutrality of the state in the future.
Does it bring what we need in Austria?”
Keep up with Daily Euro Times for more updates!
Read also:
Slicing Up the Alliance: NATO’s Eastern Challenge
NATO: Security Cooperation Requires Economic Stability
