Austria’s neutrality leaves room for military cooperation

Austria’s neutrality is less restrictive than Switzerland’s and allows close ties with Western security structures, according to an analysis by Swiss public broadcaster SRF. Austria has been neutral only since 1955, when neutrality was accepted as the price for the end of Allied occupation and the country’s independence.

After the Second World War, Austria was divided into Soviet, American, British and French occupation zones. Moscow agreed to withdraw if Austria became neutral. Although Vienna wanted to belong to the West, it accepted neutrality as the condition for regaining its independence. Switzerland served as the model.

The intention was for Austria to be militarily neutral but not politically aligned with every position taken by the West. In practice, however, Austria’s neutrality differs significantly from Switzerland’s.

Austria joined the European Union in 1996 and its constitution requires it to follow the EU’s foreign and security policy, which is not neutral. Austria is not always required to implement that policy, but it may do so.

There are three areas in which Austria must remain neutral. It may not join a military alliance such as NATO, allow foreign troops to be permanently stationed on its territory or take part in wars.

At the same time, Austria participates in EU and United Nations sanctions. It also allows NATO aircraft to fly over its territory and permits NATO transports through the country, numbering about 5,000 a year. Austria could theoretically train Ukrainian soldiers on its territory, although Vienna does not do so.

SRF foreign affairs editor Peter Voegeli said this flexibility showed that “a great deal is possible” under Austria’s neutrality. He also said the approach had elements of picking and choosing, something that could also be seen in Switzerland.

The model has come under greater pressure since Russia’s war against Ukraine and the wider threat to Europe. Twenty three of the EU’s 27 members are also in NATO, and the EU has a mutual defence obligation. Austria would not have to take part in that obligation, but pressure on the country would be considerable in a war with Russia.

A key NATO supply route to Eastern Europe runs through Austria. In a crisis, Austria could therefore quickly be drawn into a NATO war, Voegeli said.

During the Cold War, neutrality enabled Austria to pursue an active foreign policy and act as a mediator, including between Israel and the Palestinians in the 1970s and 1980s. It also gave the country international influence and a sense of identity.

Today, however, the possibility of war in Europe has exposed Austrian neutrality as a “fair-weather construct”, according to Voegeli. He said this had also been true in the past: Moscow had drawn up attack plans against Austria, while NATO had plans to use nuclear bombs over the country if necessary.