Austria draws position: military neutrality in uncertain times!

Austria draws position: military neutrality in uncertain times!

In a crucial moment for European security architecture, the Austrian Minister Christian Stocker and Beate Meinl-Reisinger and other party leaders have asked for urgent reforms in defense policy. During a joint interview, they found that Austria's security is closely linked to stability in Europe. Stocker emphasized that "we have weighed ourselves too long" and made it clear that Austria wanted to support the initiatives to strengthen European defense skills. However, this happens, taking into account the constitutional framework, since the neutrality of Austria should remain preserved. Austria is open to the flexibility of EU funds, but is not willing to enter into additional debts. "The 150 billion euros proposed by Ursula von der Leyen are not debt, but guarantees," said Stocker.

his ministerial colleague, Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger, expressed her concern about geopolitical developments and emphasized that the Ukraine conflict was not only regionally but also important for Austria. "We cannot outsource security to Washington," she warned, and demanded more orientation to European independence. The support for Ukraine is also heavily discussed in parliament. However, there were different opinions on the amount of military aid, for which FPÖ MPs also made critical voices. Meinl-Reisinger called for a peace agreement with security guarantees for Ukraine and invited not only to look at the weapons, but also to strengthen the diplomatic paths to avoid future conflicts.

urgency and reform needs

The new leaders of the Austrian government also announced that family reunification should be suspended immediately when it comes to migration in order to better control integration. "We don't want the events of 2015 to be repeated," said Stocker, after the effects on society were also addressed. With regard to EU policy, the new government was also concerned about transatlantic relationships, especially in the context of the Ukraine negotiations.

Another critical point is the voice of the opposition parties, which demanded a clear line in the debate about neutrality and security expenses. The challenges for Europe are noticeable and suggest that the coming days will be decisive for the security and defense policy of the continent. "These decisions may be the crucial days for our generation," said a MP, underlining the precarious situation of Europe in the face of global threats.