Austria's Relationship With Eastern Europe: Friend Or Foe?

Austria is a country in Central Europe, sharing borders with eight countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy. Its central location has contributed to its cultural diversity and accessibility. Vienna, its capital city, is well-connected to major cities in Europe and serves as a gateway to the US. While Austria's geographic position has played a significant role in its prominence, the country is also known for its cultural offerings, including its renowned music scene.

Austria's geographic position

Austria shares borders with eight countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy. The country's total border length is 2,534 or 2,706 kilometres. The country's longest river is the Danube, with 350 kilometres of the river flowing through Austria. The largest lake is Lake Constance, with 11% of its shoreline in Austria.

Austria's nine provinces cover an area of roughly 32,000 square miles and are home to about 8.7 million inhabitants. The capital, Vienna, is located in the country's northeastern region, where the easternmost extensions of the Alps meet the beginnings of the Pannonian plains. The country's population density is similar to that of the former Yugoslavia, with ninety-three inhabitants per square kilometre.

Austria's relations with Eastern Europe post-Cold War

Austria's relations with Eastern Europe have been complex and multifaceted in the post-Cold War era. Historically, Austria has had close ties with Eastern European countries, sharing borders with eight countries, including several in Eastern Europe such as Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. This geographic proximity has contributed to cultural exchange and interactions.

During the Cold War, Austria was classified as a Western country due to its political system, despite its geographic location in Central Europe. It maintained a neutral stance and was not a member of the Warsaw Pact or NATO. This neutrality continued into the post-Cold War period, with Austria declaring and maintaining its neutrality in the post-Cold War era.

In terms of economic engagement, Austria has had significant involvement in Central and Eastern Europe. Austrian companies have actively pursued economic opportunities in the region, particularly after the fall of the Iron Curtain, which opened up new markets. This engagement has contributed to the development of economic ties and interdependence between Austria and Eastern European countries.

However, there have also been challenges in Austria's relations with Eastern Europe. One notable issue was the treatment of Austrians as "victims" of Nazi aggression during World War II, which led to debates about responsibility and reparations. Additionally, there were tensions related to the presence of Soviet troops in Austria during the initial years after the war, with instances of sexual violence and looting by Soviet soldiers.

Overall, Austria's relations with Eastern Europe in the post-Cold War era have been characterized by a mix of cooperation, economic engagement, and efforts to address historical challenges. The country's geographic location and cultural ties have played a role in shaping its relationships with Eastern European nations, and its neutrality has allowed it to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics.

Austria's involvement in international organisations

Austria has been a platform for international dialogue since the Cold War due to its geopolitical position and neutral status. This status has been strengthened by the presence of numerous international organisations in the country, particularly in Vienna.

Vienna is home to the Vienna International Centre (VIC), also known as UNO City, which was opened in 1979. The VIC currently houses a number of international organisations, including the United Nations (UN), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). The United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) gives administrative support to various UN bodies and institutions and is responsible for conference planning and interpretation services for more than 2,000 conferences and meetings a year.

In addition to the UN Organisations, several other international organisations are situated in Vienna. The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to coordinating its member countries' oil-producing policies, has been based in Vienna since 1965. The OPEC Fund for International Development, established by the OPEC Member Countries in 1976, is also based in the city.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is another important organisation with a presence in Vienna. The OSCE contributes to conflict prevention and negotiates confidence-building measures between its 57 participating states, ranging from the USA to Tajikistan. It operates field missions in (South) Eastern Europe and Central Asia, providing support in the fields of democracy, rule of law, and human rights.

Other notable international organisations with a presence in Vienna include the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the European Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), the Secretariat of the Energy Community, the World Bank Group, and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI).

Austria's neutral status during the Cold War

Austria's neutrality during the Cold War was a result of its unique position in post-World War II Europe. After the war, Austria was jointly occupied by the Western Allies (the United States, the United Kingdom, and France) and the Soviet Union. This occupation lasted until 1955, and Austria's status was a controversial subject during the early years of the Cold War.

In 1943, the Allies agreed in the Moscow Declaration that Austria would be regarded as the first victim of Nazi aggression and treated as a liberated and independent country after the war. However, in reality, Austria's independence was overshadowed by security and power considerations, and later by the Cold War. While the Western Allies sought to safeguard Austria's independence from communist expansion, the USSR refused to withdraw from its zone in eastern Austria.

The situation was further complicated by the division of Austria into occupation zones. The country was divided into four zones, with Vienna being subdivided among the four powers. The Western Allies controlled the northern and western regions, while the Soviet Union occupied the eastern region, including Vienna and the surrounding area. This division reflected the emerging East-West divide of the Cold War.

In 1955, after nearly a decade of occupation, an agreement was finally reached to end the occupation of Austria. The USSR, together with the Western powers, signed the Austrian State Treaty, which ended the state of war and granted Austria its independence. A crucial precondition for the Soviet Union's consent to withdraw was Austria's commitment to permanent neutrality. On May 15, 1955, the Austrian government proclaimed the country's military neutrality, and the last occupation troops left on October 25 of that year.

Austria's neutrality meant that it would not join any military alliances such as NATO or the Warsaw Pact and would not allow foreign troops to be based within its territory. This neutral status allowed Austria to serve as a forward post for both the Americans and Soviets when they wanted to engage in diplomatic talks. Additionally, Austria's neutrality reflected a broader geopolitical reality, as it was situated between the communist bloc in Eastern Europe and the capitalist bloc in Western Europe.

Overall, Austria's neutral status during the Cold War was a result of complex geopolitical considerations and its position as a buffer between the two opposing blocs. This neutrality allowed Austria to maintain its independence and sovereignty while navigating the tensions of the Cold War era.

Austria's membership of the European Union

Austria, a federal parliamentary republic, has been a member of the European Union since 1 January 1995. The country joined the EU following five years of successful negotiations and a national referendum.

Austria has actively participated in all the EU institutions, including the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the Council of the European Union. The country has held the presidency of the Council of the European Union three times: in 1998, 2006, and 2018.

In the European Commission, Austria has been responsible for several portfolios. From 1995 to 2004, Franz Fischler headed the DG for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries, shaping the outcome of the Agenda 2000, which reformed the EU's agricultural and regional policies. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Austria's former Minister for Foreign Affairs, became the Union's Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy from 2004 to 2010. Johannes Hahn, the latest Austrian member of the European Commission, headed the DG for Regional Policy from 2010 to 2014 and was then assigned Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy until 2019. Hahn is currently the Commissioner for Budget and Administration.

Austria's membership in the EU has brought several benefits, including participation in the Single Market, a shared approach to common challenges such as migration, terrorism, and climate change, and concrete gains like improved transport infrastructure, modernised and digitalised public services, and cutting-edge medical treatment.

Austria's relationship with the EU is also reflected in its adoption of the euro currency in 1999 and its signing of the Schengen Agreement in 1995, which allows for visa-free movement within the Schengen Area.

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