Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger has called for an open discussion on the country’s long-standing neutrality, stating that it no longer guarantees national security in the face of growing geopolitical instability and an increasingly aggressive Russia.
In an interview with Die Welt, Meinl-Reisinger emphasized that neutrality alone does not protect Austria and pointed to the importance of strengthening defense capabilities and deepening international partnerships. “Austria is protected by investment in its own defense capacities and in its partnerships,” she said.
The minister’s remarks follow a proposal by Emil Brix, Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, suggesting that Austria consider joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Meinl-Reisinger expressed support for a public debate on the issue, acknowledging that the current political and public majority remains opposed to NATO membership.
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Meinl-Reisinger also addressed Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, stating that Ukraine seeks peace, while Russia continues its campaign of aggression. She added that if Russian leader Vladimir Putin were genuinely interested in peace, he would have engaged in ceasefire negotiations.
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This was about all citizens and the abuse of fear, not Austria.
The war will not reach Austria first. No need for those elements. They join earlier due to article 42.
It is strange if there are no security benefits but a bunch of additional obligations.
Maybe. But this is about Austria, so please stay on track.
The statement that there are ‘no security benefits but a bunch of additional obligations’ is nothing more than your own objective opinion and not a fact. Hence building a deduction on this will inevitably end up in something ‘strange’.
Should you actually care to understand Austria’s motifs, you should approach the topic more open-minded instead of with a predetermined opinion.