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Austria and Switzerland are two of only a few European countries that are not members of NATO. Austria's neutrality is enshrined in its constitution and prohibits the country from joining military alliances, hosting foreign bases, and participating in wars. Switzerland, on the other hand, maintains a more passive form of neutrality, avoiding economic sanctions and refraining from participating in EU foreign or security policy. Both countries have faced questions about their neutrality, especially in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent decision by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. While there have been calls for Austria and Switzerland to reconsider their neutrality and join NATO, it is unclear if either country will make any changes to their long-held positions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Austria's relationship with NATO | Close relationship; joined the Partnership for Peace programme in 1995 |
| Austria's stance on neutrality | Austria is committed to neutrality; enshrined in its constitution since 1955; prohibits joining a military alliance, hosting foreign military bases, and participating in war |
| Public opinion in Austria on neutrality | 91% of Austrians consider neutrality important; little public discussion on the limitations and future of neutrality |
| Political opinion in Austria on NATO membership | Majority do not support joining NATO; only the liberal NEOS party has openly supported reviewing Austria's neutrality policy |
| Austrian Chancellor's position | Chancellor Karl Nehammer stated that Austria will continue its policy of neutrality |
| Austria's foreign policy | Austria has pursued an active foreign policy, including mediating in international conflicts and contributing to UN peacekeeping missions |
| Switzerland's relationship with NATO | Switzerland is not a member of NATO and maintains a more passive neutrality compared to Austria |
| Switzerland's stance on neutrality | Switzerland avoids signing on to economic sanctions and is not a member of the EU, thus not participating in its foreign and security policy |
| Switzerland's foreign policy | Switzerland contributes fewer troops to UN peacekeeping missions compared to Austria |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's constitution prohibits it from joining military alliances
Austria's neutrality is deeply rooted in its history and has been a defining feature of its foreign policy for decades. Even before the formal adoption of neutrality in 1955, Austria's history has been marked by a general avoidance of military alliances and a focus on maintaining peace. For example, during the negotiations to end the Allied occupation of Austria after World War II, the Soviet Union pushed for Austrian neutrality, mirroring the stance of Switzerland. This resulted in the Austrian State Treaty of 1955, which served as the foundation for the country's neutrality.
Austria's neutrality is not absolute, and the country actively contributes to international peacekeeping efforts. It participates in the United Nations peacekeeping operations and has deployments in several countries, including Kosovo, Lebanon, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, Austria has formal relations with NATO, joining the Partnership for Peace programme in 1995 and taking part in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. Despite these connections, Austria has consistently reaffirmed its commitment to neutrality and has stated that it has no intention of joining NATO.
There have been debates and calls for Austria to reconsider its neutrality, especially in light of recent geopolitical events, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, public opinion polls show strong support for maintaining neutrality, and the Austrian government, led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to this stance. Austria's neutrality is not just a matter of foreign policy but also a legal obligation enshrined in its constitution, making it a central tenet of the country's identity and self-perception.
In summary, Austria's constitution, specifically the Declaration of Neutrality, serves as the primary legal obstacle to the country joining military alliances like NATO. This constitutional commitment to neutrality has shaped Austria's foreign policy, international relations, and self-perception for over six decades. While debates and external pressures may challenge this stance, Austria's neutrality remains a fundamental aspect of its political and legal framework.
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Austria's neutrality is enshrined in its constitution
The Austrian State Treaty, signed in May 1955, was largely based on the Moscow Memorandum agreed upon between Austria and the Soviet Union the previous month. The treaty did not commit Austria to neutrality, but this was subsequently enshrined in the country's constitution in October of that year. The Declaration of Neutrality states that "In all future times Austria will not join any military alliances and will not permit the establishment of any foreign military bases on her territory."
Austria's commitment to neutrality has been a deeply ingrained element of Austrian identity since 1955. An opinion poll from March 2022 found that 76% favored Austria remaining neutral, while only 18% supported joining NATO. Austria's membership in the European Union (and its predecessor organizations) was controversial due to its neutrality, and the country only joined in 1995, along with Finland and Sweden, two other neutral countries.
Austria has, however, participated in some military alliances and peacekeeping operations. In 1995, Austria joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program, and it participates in NATO's Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. The Austrian military also takes part in United Nations peacekeeping operations and has deployments in several countries, including Kosovo, Lebanon, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where it has led the EUFOR mission since 2009. In 2023, Austria joined the European Sky Shield Initiative, which funds a European missile defense system. The government argued that this did not violate their neutrality as the resources were pooled with other countries.
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Switzerland is not a member of the EU
Austria and Switzerland are not members of NATO due to their neutrality. Austria's constitution prohibits the country from joining a military alliance, hosting foreign military bases, or participating in wars. Switzerland, on the other hand, has no such constitutional restrictions, but its population and political and business worlds prefer to remain neutral. There is a perception that Switzerland does not need the security provided by NATO as it is not exposed to Russia and is one of the most politically stable countries in the world.
One of the main reasons for Switzerland's reluctance to join the EU is the issue of free movement. The Swiss are concerned about the potential impact of the free movement of people on wages and the welfare system. Switzerland already has a large number of EU migrants, and joining the EU could lead to "wage dumping" and increased immigration. Additionally, Switzerland is a net contributor to the EU, and Swiss wages are considerably higher than in the EU, which further discourages joining.
Switzerland's direct democratic system also plays a role in its decision to stay out of the EU. The Swiss electorate votes on issues several times a year, and the idea of adopting EU laws and regulations without having a say in the negotiations is unappealing to many Swiss citizens. There is also a perception that the EU is a pseudo-democratic dictatorship that shifts money from one country to another, and Switzerland does not want to be a "cash cow" for other European countries.
Finally, Switzerland's special status has allowed it to maintain a strong economy and independent foreign policy. While Switzerland contributes to various projects designed to reduce economic and social disparities in the EU, it is not bound by all EU laws and regulations, which gives it more flexibility in its decision-making.
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Austria and Switzerland are surrounded by neutral or NATO countries
Austria and Switzerland are landlocked states in Central Europe. They are surrounded by several countries that are either neutral or members of NATO. Austria shares a border with Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, and the Czech Republic. On the other hand, Switzerland is bordered by Liechtenstein, Italy, Austria, Germany, and France.
Both countries have a history of neutrality and are not members of NATO. Switzerland has a long-standing reputation for political neutrality, while Austria's constitution includes a Declaration of Neutrality, prohibiting it from joining military alliances, hosting foreign military bases, or participating in wars.
The surrounding countries have influenced the neutrality policies of Austria and Switzerland. Liechtenstein, sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, is a neutral country with no military. Similarly, Switzerland's and Austria's shared border with Germany, a NATO member, has likely contributed to their neutrality stance. Additionally, Italy, another neighboring country, has a significant population and is a member of NATO.
Despite their neutrality, Austria and Switzerland maintain close relations with NATO. Austria joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 1995 and participates in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. Switzerland, while not a member, has been working with NATO and is warming up to the idea of joining.
In recent years, there have been debates in Austria about abandoning neutrality and joining NATO, especially after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, as of 2024, Austria's foreign minister stated that the country was not considering NATO membership but intended to cooperate with the alliance. Switzerland, on the other hand, has not indicated a shift in its neutrality stance.
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Austria and Switzerland have a history of neutrality
Austria and Switzerland have a long history of neutrality. Austria's neutrality is enshrined in its constitution, prohibiting the country from joining military alliances, hosting foreign bases, and participating in foreign conflicts. This stance was adopted in October 1955, a decade after the country suffered military defeat in World War II. Despite Austria's rich history, including ruling the Holy Roman Empire and later the Austrian Empire, it embraced neutrality after World War I and the significant loss of its territorial possessions.
Austria's neutrality is not without its complexities. While the country contributes to international peacekeeping missions and has formal relations with NATO through the Partnership for Peace programme, its commitment to neutrality has been questioned, especially in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Some Austrians, including politicians, diplomats, and business leaders, have advocated for abandoning neutrality and joining NATO. However, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer has reaffirmed the country's commitment to neutrality, stating that Austria will remain neutral.
Switzerland, on the other hand, maintains a more passive form of neutrality. It traditionally avoids signing economic sanctions and is not a member of the European Union, thus distancing itself from EU foreign and security policies. Switzerland's neutrality is deeply rooted in its history as a loose amalgamation of small sovereign states before it became a unified nation in 1848.
Despite their differing approaches, both Austria and Switzerland value their neutrality. In a government-sponsored poll from March 2022, 91% of Austrians expressed that neutrality was personally important to them. Switzerland's neutrality is also widely accepted, with no indication of the country abandoning its stance. While there may be debates and shifting geopolitical landscapes, Austria and Switzerland continue to uphold their historical neutrality.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria's neutrality is enshrined in its constitution, prohibiting it from joining military alliances, hosting foreign military bases, and participating in wars. Austria has been neutral since 1955 and has no intention of abandoning this stance, despite some debate following Sweden and Finland's decision to join NATO.
Switzerland maintains a passive neutrality, avoiding involvement in economic sanctions and not joining the EU. Switzerland was never a great power and has no plans to join NATO, prioritizing its neutrality above membership in military alliances.
Austria and NATO have a close relationship, with Austria participating in NATO's Partnership for Peace programme and Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. Switzerland's neutrality is respected by NATO, and both countries are considered important partners for European security, even if they are not formal members of the alliance.
