Defence and strategy

Gunther HAUSER

The primary aim of this contribution is to define and to discuss Austria’s role in European security. Security policy in Austria today continues along the lines of pragmatic neutrality by participating in EU Petersberg and NATO Partnership for Peace tasks. Although Austria works closely with NATO member states within NATO PfP and EU, NATO membership did not enjoy high popularity in Austria. According to various polls more than two thirds of Austrians still favor neutrality. However, Austria is quite engaged in UN, EU and NATO peace support operations. As a member of EU, Austria has pivotal interests in integrating Central, Eastern and Southeastern European states into Euro-Atlantic security structures.