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Austria–NATO relations

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Austria–NATO relations
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Austria and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have a close relationship. Austria, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta are the only members of the European Union that are not members of NATO. Austria has had formal relations with NATO since 1995, when it joined the Partnership for Peace programme.

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History

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Map showing European membership of the EU and NATO
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Austria's neutrality is enshrined in law and treaty, but it participates in peacekeeping missions like Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Austria was occupied by the four victorious Allied powers following World War II under the Allied Control Council, similar to Germany. During negotiations to end the occupation, which were ongoing at the same time as Germany's, the Soviet Union insisted on the reunified country adopting the model of Swiss neutrality. The US feared that this would encourage West Germany to accept similar Soviet proposals for neutrality as a condition for German reunification.[1] Shortly after West Germany's accession to NATO, the parties agreed to the Austrian State Treaty in May 1955, which was largely based on the Moscow Memorandum signed the previous month between Austria and the Soviet Union. While the treaty itself did not commit Austria to neutrality, this was subsequently enshrined into Austria's constitution that October with the Declaration of Neutrality. The Declaration prohibits Austria from joining a military alliance, from hosting foreign military bases within its borders, and from participating in a war.[2]

Membership of Austria in the European Union (or its predecessor organizations) was controversial due to the Austrian commitment to neutrality. Austria only joined in 1995, together with two Nordic countries that had also declared their neutrality in the Cold War (Finland and Sweden). Austria joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 1995, and participates in NATO's Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. The Austrian military also participates in the United Nations peacekeeping operations and has deployments in several countries as of 2022, including Kosovo, Lebanon, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where it has led the EUFOR mission there since 2009.[2]

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Austria's NATO membership debate

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  NATO member states
  In the process of accession
  Promised invitations
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NATO members and partners in Europe
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  Membership Action Plan countries
  Intensified Dialogue countries
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Wolfgang Schüssel, Chancellor from 2000 to 2007 from the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), supported NATO membership as part of European integration.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and subsequent decision by Finland and Sweden to abandon decades of non-alignment and apply to join NATO, there has been renewed debate in Austria on joining the bloc, similar to how Austria joined the EU alongside Finland and Sweden.[3][4][5] On May 8, 2022, a coalition of politicians, diplomats, artists and business-people wrote an open letter to the Austrian government asking them to review their commitment to neutrality, however, the only party to openly support the effort was NEOS with just 15 of the 183 seats in the National Council.[6][7] Conservative politician Andreas Khol, the 2016 presidential nominee from the ÖVP, has also argued in favor of NATO membership for Austria.[8] However, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer stated that the country would continue its policy of neutrality.[9] On 10 July 2024, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said that Austria was not considering joining NATO, but planned to cooperate with the alliance.[10] In July 2025, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger expressed openness to the country becoming a NATO member, stating that "although there are currently no majorities in parliament and in the population for joining NATO, such a debate can still be very fruitful."[11]

Opinion polls on Austrian membership of NATO

Membership is not widely popular with the Austrian public.[12] According to a survey in April 2023 by the Austrian Society for European Politics, only 21% of Austrians surveyed supported joining NATO, while 60% were opposed.

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Opposition to NATO Membership

Opposition is robust and enduring, with 60-75% consistently rejecting accession across polls. Neutrality is seen as a cornerstone of Austrian identity, symbolizing independence, peacemaking, and avoidance of entanglement in foreign wars. Reasons include:[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]

Historical and Cultural Attachment: Enforced by the 1955 State Treaty (banning military alliances), neutrality has broad appeal—91% deemed it "important" in a 2022 ÖGfE poll, rising to 74% in 2024. Many view it as a "life insurance" policy, allowing Austria to mediate (e.g., hosting Iran nuclear talks) without alienating powers like Russia. Fear of Escalation and Costs: Critics argue NATO membership would drag Austria into conflicts (e.g., via Article 5 obligations) and increase defense spending, which is already strained (1.1% of GDP in 2024). A 2023 Kontrast reader poll showed 80% against, citing "Trittbrettfahrer" (free-riding) accusations without full commitment. Political Consensus: Major parties (ÖVP, SPÖ, Greens, FPÖ) oppose abandoning neutrality; Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) reaffirmed in 2022 that "Austria was neutral, is neutral, and will remain neutral." The far-right FPÖ, leading polls ahead of 2024 elections, embeds anti-NATO rhetoric in its pro-Russia stance. Public protests, like those in Vienna against NATO overflights, underscore grassroots resistance. EU Preference: While rejecting NATO, 67% support deeper EU security cooperation (e.g., a European army), seen as compatible with neutrality. A 2023 ÖGfE survey found 51% favoring continued EU aid to Ukraine without military involvement.

Undecided responses (15-21%) reflect growing uncertainty, but even these rarely tip toward support. Russian threats (e.g., Dmitry Medvedev's 2025 warning of attacks on Austrian forces if it joins) may reinforce opposition by highlighting risks. Recent Developments and Broader Context

Ukraine War Impact: Unlike Sweden and Finland (where support surged to 60-70%), Austria's polls show minimal change—opposition held at 75% in May 2022 (IFDD). A 2025 debate reignited by Meinl-Reisinger drew criticism for ignoring public sentiment, with X users like @Schmitt_News emphasizing "only 20% for NATO."

Hybrid Ties: Austria hosts ~3,000 NATO transits and 5,000 overflights annually (2024 data), but insists on neutrality. Critics like Jakub Janda (@_JakubJanda) accuse it of enabling Russian espionage while free-riding on allies' defense.

Future Prospects: No referendum is planned, and constitutional change requires a two-thirds parliamentary majority—unlikely given opposition dominance. A 2024 Medium analysis notes Austria's "passive acquiescence" risks isolation, but polls suggest inertia prevails.

In summary, while elite debates question neutrality's viability, public opinion firmly upholds it, prioritizing EU ties over NATO. This reflects Austria's post-WWII trauma and desire for sovereignty, though external pressures may slowly erode support.

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Relationship timeline

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Austria's foreign relations with NATO member states

See also

NATO relations of other EU member states outside NATO

References

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