Austria-Romania: A Shared History Or Separate Paths?

Austria and Romania have had diplomatic relations since 1878, when Austria, as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, recognised Romania's independence from the Ottoman Empire. The two countries have had a tumultuous relationship, with periods of hatred, such as during World War I when they fought against each other, and periods of tolerance and mutual liking, particularly since both countries joined the EU in 1995 and 2007, respectively.

In the present day, relations are strained, with a mutual dislike between Austrians and Romanians due to numerous diplomatic disputes, most of which have taken place since Romania's accession to the EU.

Austria was the first country to recognise Romania's independence from Turkey (the Ottoman Empire)

Austria and Romania have a complex historical relationship, with their borders and political dynamics shifting over time. While Austria and Romania have never officially been part of the same country, their histories are intertwined, particularly during the 19th century when both regions were undergoing significant political and territorial changes.

Now, let's focus on the statement, "Austria was the first country to recognize Romania's independence from Turkey (the Ottoman Empire)." This statement is indeed true and marks a crucial moment in Romania's journey towards full independence.

Romania, or more specifically, the principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, had been under Ottoman rule for centuries. However, by the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire was in decline, and the Romanian regions were seeking autonomy and eventual independence. The Treaty of Kuchuk-Kainarji in 1774 between Russia and the Ottoman Empire played a pivotal role in this regard, as it granted autonomy to Moldavia and Wallachia, allowing them to conduct their foreign affairs with other European powers.

This is where Austria comes into the picture. On April 13, 1780, Emperor Joseph II of Austria issued a patent recognizing the two principalities' right to conduct their foreign affairs. This act essentially acknowledged their independence from the Ottoman Empire, making Austria the first European power to do so. Emperor Joseph II's decision was driven by his desire to strengthen Austria's influence in the region and counter the growing power of Russia, which also had interests in the Balkans.

Austria's recognition of Romania's independence was a significant step forward for the Romanian people and their quest for self-governance. It also set a precedent for other European powers to follow suit, eventually leading to the formal recognition of Romania's sovereignty by the major European powers in the latter half of the 19th century. This period witnessed the emergence of an independent Romanian state, with the official union of Moldavia and Wallachia in 1859 and the establishment of the Kingdom of Romania in 1881.

Austria and Romania were at war during World War I

Austria-Hungary and Romania: A Historical Overview

Romania and Austria-Hungary had a complex relationship prior to the war, with the two countries being allies from 1883 until 1916. During this time, Romania was part of the Triple Alliance, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy. However, the relationship between Romania and Austria-Hungary was strained due to territorial disputes, particularly over Transylvania, which was ethnically Romanian but part of Hungary.

The Outbreak of War

On August 27, 1916, Romania declared war on Austria-Hungary and formally entered World War I, with Romanian troops crossing the border into Transylvania. This declaration of war was the result of a secret treaty signed by the Romanian government with the Allies on August 18, 1916, which promised Romania territorial gains in Transylvania, Bukovina, and the Banat region if they joined the war on the side of the Allies.

The Romanian Campaign

The Romanian campaign, which was part of the Eastern Front, began in August 1916 and lasted until December 1917. Romania, along with Russia, was allied with Britain and France against the Central Powers, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria. The Romanian campaign plan, known as "Hypothesis Z," involved attacking Austria-Hungary in Transylvania while defending against Bulgaria in the south.

Initially, the Romanian forces achieved some success, advancing into Transylvania and capturing several towns. However, the Central Powers quickly mobilized additional forces, including German divisions, which halted the Romanian offensive. The Romanian forces suffered heavy setbacks, and by the end of 1916, they had lost significant territory.

The Central Powers' Counter-Attack

The Central Powers launched a counter-attack in two directions. The First Army of confederates, led by Erich von Falkenhayn, pushed the Romanian troops back across the Carpathian Mountains into Wallachia and Moldavia. Meanwhile, the 9th Army, led by Field Marshal August von Mackensen, crossed the Danube from Bulgaria and attacked from the west and southeast.

The Fall of Bucharest

By December 1916, Bucharest, the capital of Romania, had fallen to the Central Powers, and most of the country was under their occupation. The Romanian court and government fled to Moldavia, which remained free from occupation. Despite this setback, the Romanian army continued to resist, and fighting continued in southern Moldavia into early 1917.

The Treaty of Bucharest

In March 1918, Romania was forced to sign the Treaty of Bucharest with the Central Powers, which imposed harsh conditions, including territorial concessions and control of its oil reserves. However, the treaty was never ratified by King Ferdinand of Romania, and Romania re-entered the war on the side of the Allies in November 1918, just before the end of the war.

The Post-War Settlement

After the war, the Treaty of Versailles reversed the losses imposed by the Treaty of Bucharest, and Romania gained control of Transylvania. The Paris Peace Conference recognized Romania's claims to territories with Romanian majorities, including Transylvania, Banat, Crişana, Maramureş, and Bukovina, effectively doubling the size of the Romanian state.

Legacy and Impact

The war had a significant impact on both countries. For Romania, it marked a turning point in its history, leading to the creation of a nation-state that united all Romanians. For Austria-Hungary, the war contributed to its dissolution, and the subsequent peace treaties led to the redrawing of borders and the emergence of new nation-states in the region.

Austria and Romania have had periods of tolerance, cooperation and mutual liking

Austria, in the form of Cisleithania, a constituent and the dominant part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was the first country to recognise Romania's independence from Turkey (the Ottoman Empire at that time).

Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the European Union. Austria has an embassy in Bucharest, and Romania has an embassy in Vienna.

In the present day, relations are at a low level, and a mutual dislike is active between both Austrians and Romanians, due to numerous diplomatic disputes, most of them taking place after Romania's accession to the EU.

Despite this, there have been periods of cooperation and mutual liking between the two countries. For example, during World War II, Romanian prisoners of war were among Allied POWs held in German-annexed Austria.

In addition, the relations were mostly based on the geopolitical context of their common history, including periods of tolerance and cooperation.

Austria and Romania are both members of the European Union

Austria and Romania's diplomatic relations were established on September 23, 1878. Austria, as Cisleithania, a dominant part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was the first country to recognise Romania's independence from the Ottoman Empire.

Austria has an embassy in Bucharest and two consulates in Constanța and Sibiu, while Romania has an embassy in Vienna.

Despite their shared membership in the EU, relations between the two countries are currently at a low level, with a mutual dislike between Austrians and Romanians due to numerous diplomatic disputes. One such dispute was Austria's veto of Romania's accession to the Schengen Area, which caused outrage in Romania and led to a boycott of Austrian companies.

Relations between Austria and Romania are currently at a low level

The roots of the relationship between the two countries lie in their shared history. Austria, as Cisleithania, a constituent and dominant part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was the first country to recognise Romania's independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1878. Since then, the relationship has been characterised by periods of hatred, such as during World War I when the two countries fought against each other, and periods of tolerance, cooperation and mutual liking, particularly since both countries joined the EU.

Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the European Union. Austria has an embassy in Bucharest and two consulates in Constanța and Sibiu, while Romania has an embassy in Vienna.

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