Why Austria Should Remain Neutral

Once again, the time has come apparently to question Austria’s neutrality, as Franz Cede recently did in a guest commentary regarding the Russian attack on Ukraine. Certainly, this belligerent violation of international law is to be condemned. Considering the developments of the past decades, what foundations does it unsettle? Since the end of the Cold War, a new nonchalance in dealing with international law and the prohibition of violence could be observed. The supposedly stable post-war system actually came to an end with the so-called “victory” of the West, the transatlantic community.
  A series of costly, mostly illegal, and ultimately lost wars with millions of casualties can be attributed to this community which under US hegemony for a time assumed the role of the world’s policemen. In the past 30 years or more, it seemed that international law, the UN, and other international organizations had become “outdated models”. Even before this war, a large part of humanity did not feel truly secure. The sense of vulnerability and helplessness in the face of various crises and dangers has been on the rise for some time now.
  Another argument, namely the need for a stable political-military unity and determination of the West, which a neutral country should not stand aside from, does not correspond to reality. Besides pursuing common interests and paths, everyone also pursues their own nuanced interests. The EU’s foreign, security, and defence policy is not carved in stone; it is fluid and requires coordination. Neutrality in this regard is not an obstacle; the redesign of the constitution allows us some leeway to exercise the “Irish Clause”.
  For Cede, neutrality preferred by a stable majority of the population is not part of Austria’s identity. That may be so, but war fatigue is in the genes: Austria has not won a war since the Battle of Belgrade in 1717, over 300 years ago, and twice proceeded into catastrophes as the younger sibling on the side of a more powerful neighbour. The notion of being secure as part of a military alliance may therefore encounter a quasi-acquired herd immunity. It is also historically refuted. The population may still remember that Austria enjoyed high international esteem due to its neutrality and was able to be useful time and again, for example, in easing tensions between East and West and in the fields of international law and humanitarianism.

As much progress as integration

There is also an argument saying that we–as an EU member–are not anymore neutral, especially in EU foreign, security, and defence policy. Only a “modest remainder” of the original neutrality lingers (the people were promised something else at the time of accession). Instead, the principle of solidarity and a form of (including military) assistance obligation in the event of an attack take precedence over neutrality within the EU. If such an obligation exists, it naturally applies to Austria as well, even if it remains neutral. The fact that there is no absolute security and that neutrality itself cannot provide such protection is not a new insight that should call the status of neutrality into question.
  So, what would the abolition of perpetual neutrality bring? Why should Austria join NATO, which seems to be the only logical motive for burying the “rests of neutrality”? Even for NATO members military assistance is not automatically guaranteed. Moreover, due to its geographical location, it seems unlikely that Russia (as apparently assumed) would invade Austria, as NATO members Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary lie in between.
  How sensible would it be to bury neutrality precisely in times of distress? Did Switzerland give up its neutrality when a much more brutal and criminal war was raging all around, triggered by an immediate and much more threatening neighbour? And what can military alliances (and armament) do against the major threats to humanity, foremost among them climate change? Neutrality should be considered as a great civilizational progress and should be developed, just like integration. Instead of preparing for a funeral, we should discuss how we can make it (again) credible, without self-aggrandizement but with self-confidence.

Is the West not becoming increasingly isolated?

One should consider the so-called Western community of values as an outdated model. Its power has been eroding for some time now. In addition to the usual suspects, Russia and China, an increasing number of countries in the Global South are emancipating themselves from Western hegemony and are forming new groupings and institutions. Frustration and lack of understanding about Western politics are growing, with only around 40 out of 193 UN member states participating in the sanctions policy against Russia. Attempts to promote talks and negotiations that could potentially lead to a ceasefire and peace in Ukraine do not originate from Austria, but from non-aligned countries in the Global South.
  Is the West not becoming increasingly isolated? Wouldn’t it be time for reflection and a bridging of the gap with the larger “rest” of the multipolar world, instead of positioning (initially verbal and economic) weapons against China? Austria could contribute to a rethinking that considers the multipolar constellation and breathe new life into its neutrality. We have had decades of practice with a constructive and active foreign policy. Its goals and means were assisting in conflict resolution, dispute settlement, free exchange of ideas, mediation, de-escalation, promoting the development of international law and human rights, facilitating encounters and negotiations, humanitarian aid, and much more. Resurrection is possible – and meaningful.  •

First published in the Wiener Zeitung on 6 June 2023;
reprinted with kind permission from the editor and author.

(Translation Curent Concerns)

* Gabriele Matzner served as a foreign policy advisor to Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, Deputy Head of the International Law Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consul General in Berlin, Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Academy Vienna, as well as Ambassador to Slovakia, Tunisia, and Great Britain. She has authored numerous publications on international topics.