According to a recent survey by Unique Research, a majority of Austrians do not believe that neutrality would protect us in the event of an attack. The result also led to a lively discussion on the “Krone” forum. We have listed the best reactions for you.
Only 37 percent of respondents think that the neutrality that has existed since 1955 would continue to protect Austria from military attack in the future. The Russian war of aggression has already led to a reconsideration in some EU countries. Formerly non-aligned states such as Sweden and Finland joined NATO after the Russian attack in February 2022. Many readers believe that the time has come for Austria to take steps towards NATO membership.
“Switzerland has been showing us how neutrality is put into practice for decades”
However, anyone looking abroad must also look at our neutral neighbor. Switzerland, which has been a good example of non-alignment and strict neutrality for centuries, has no desire to deviate from its neutral foreign policy.
Austria could continue to follow this example in the future. However, Switzerland’s neutrality comes at a cost of billions: anyone who remains without an alliance partner must be able to defend their own territory militarily. A task that the armed forces are currently far from capable of.
“Neutrality only protects if you live by it”
Many readers note that neutrality should not just be paid lip service, but actively observed. Vienna, as the European seat of the United Nations, would be ideal as a neutral ground for international negotiations.
To do this, however, it must also be credibly conveyed to the outside world that Austria is truly neutral. A tightrope walker in times of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Despite their neutrality, both Switzerland and Austria are on Russia’s “list of unfriendly states.” To what extent can you accommodate an aggressor without running the risk of legitimizing wars of aggression?
What should Austria’s foreign policy look like in the future? Is further rapprochement with NATO inevitable, or can true neutrality remain a successful model in the 21st century? We look forward to your comments!
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
