Austrian neutrality does not mean disengaging from international affairs. Instead, it demands an intense involvement
09 May Security & Defence

Austrian neutrality does not mean disengaging from international affairs. Instead, it demands an intense involvement

Austria’s neutrality occupies a unique space: it mainly concerns military and security issues but still allows for the country to be heavily engaged in international affairs. Heinz Gärtner explains this policy of neutrality and how it could be a model for Ukraine
by Heinz Gärtner
Sergey Lagodinsky on the importance of shoring up democratic institutions and civil society in Europe and abroad
04 May Security & Defence
Sergey Lagodinsky on the importance of shoring up democratic institutions and civil society in Europe and abroad
It’s time for a paradigm shift in Euro-Atlantic defence and security
01 May Security & Defence
It’s time for a paradigm shift in Euro-Atlantic defence and security
Europe's eastern neighbourhood is all shook up: Here's what Russia’s war in Ukraine could mean for these countries
28 Apr Security & Defence
Europe's eastern neighbourhood is all shook up: Here's what Russia’s war in Ukraine could mean for these countries
Belarusian officials to be banned from entering NATO offices
01 Jun Security & Defence
Belarusian officials to be banned from entering NATO offices
The move comes after a Ryanair flight was diverted to Minsk and a dissident journalist arrested.
Pressure mounts on EU to take strong action against Belarus over airliner ‘hijack’ and journalist’s detention
24 May Security & Defence
Pressure mounts on EU to take strong action against Belarus over airliner ‘hijack’ and journalist’s detention
EU leaders set to discuss response to ‘state-sponsored terror act’ at summit in Brussels.
New Council of Europe report warns of democratic backsliding across continent
12 May Security & Defence
New Council of Europe report warns of democratic backsliding across continent
Danger that Europe’s democratic culture will not fully recover, warns CoE secretary general.
EU Member states accused of having too close ties with Moscow
11 May Security & Defence
EU Member states accused of having too close ties with Moscow
Exiled former Yukos boss Mikhail Khodorkovsky says Kremlin has infiltrated top echelons of European governments and ‘probably' has a source close to Angela Merkel.
EU condemns Moscow’s travel bans on senior policymakers
04 May Security & Defence
EU condemns Moscow’s travel bans on senior policymakers
European Parliament president David Sassoli and Commission Vice President Vera Jourova barred from entering Russia.
EU parliament leaders voice concern over Russia’s alleged involvement in Czech arms depot explosion
21 Apr Security & Defence
EU parliament leaders voice concern over Russia’s alleged involvement in Czech arms depot explosion
Group leaders condemn ‘unacceptable act of hostility’ on sovereign EU territory.
EU foreign affairs ministers face calls for fresh sanctions against Russia
19 Apr Security & Defence
EU foreign affairs ministers face calls for fresh sanctions against Russia
MEPs also call for plenary debate on the current Russian military build-up at the Ukrainian border.
The West needs to get its act together on Russia in the South Caucasus PM+
07 Apr Security & Defence
The West needs to get its act together on Russia in the South Caucasus
By providing a more coherent, consistent, active, and reliable approach, stability can be fostered in the region, writes former MEP Geoffrey Van Orden.
Peace in Yemen is a real possibility PM+
30 Mar Security & Defence
Peace in Yemen is a real possibility
Saudi Arabia is leading international efforts to stabilise the country and bring an end to the war, writes HE Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the European Union, Saad Bin Mohammed Alarify.
‘Very few’ Europeans believe US will intervene on their behalf in military crisis
29 Mar Security & Defence
‘Very few’ Europeans believe US will intervene on their behalf in military crisis
In a pan-European survey of over 15,000 citizens in ten EU Member States, just 10 percent held the view that the US was a “reliable” security partner that will always protect Europe.
Iran: Europe’s greatest post-COVID security threat PM+
29 Mar Security & Defence
Iran: Europe’s greatest post-COVID security threat
Former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has taken a hawkish tone with EU; he now claims Biden is playing softball with Iran, writes Emir Gürbüz.
‘Newly assertive’ Russia and ‘rise’ of China pose biggest security threats to West, says NATO chief
17 Mar Security & Defence
‘Newly assertive’ Russia and ‘rise’ of China pose biggest security threats to West, says NATO chief
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was speaking at a news conference where he presented his annual report for the last 12 months.
Yemen, Iran and Oman: Reaching out to Peace through Food PM+
17 Mar Security & Defence
Yemen, Iran and Oman: Reaching out to Peace through Food
Despite the second wave of Covid-19, the overall diplomatic air in Muscat is optimistic, writes Sayyid Nooh Mohammed Al Busaidi.
MEPs welcome moves to strengthen security in Brussels’ EU quarter after spate of violent attacks
08 Mar Security & Defence
MEPs welcome moves to strengthen security in Brussels’ EU quarter after spate of violent attacks
UPDATED: 08 March 2021 10:28 | Victim of attempted sexual assault told by local police that they didn’t have the resources to investigate.
EU national governments need to present a unified front to Russia
18 Feb Security & Defence
EU national governments need to present a unified front to Russia
The naivety shown to Russia in many European capitals and in Brussels at EU level must cease, at least for the time being, argues Foreign Affairs Committee Vice Chair Urmas Paet.
Georgia’s democratic transition offers hope for the Black Sea country’s future
17 Feb Security & Defence
Georgia’s democratic transition offers hope for the Black Sea country’s future
Newly-re-elected government in Tbilisi has NATO and EU membership in its sights, explains Former Czech Defence Minister Alexandr Vondra.
European Defence Agency: defence spending hit a “new high” in 2019
29 Jan Security & Defence
European Defence Agency: defence spending hit a “new high” in 2019
The agency has published its annual "Defence Data" report, detailing defence spending by the 26 EDA Member States.
Every day, hundreds of migrants embark on the perilous route from Africa to the Canary Islands, writes Juan Fernando López Aguilar
19 Jan Security & Defence
Every day, hundreds of migrants embark on the perilous route from Africa to the Canary Islands, writes Juan Fernando López Aguilar
The lack of solidarity shown by some EU Member States in sharing migrant burden must change, says the Chair of Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee.
Finding a common ground for international space regulation PM+
05 Jan Security & Defence
Finding a common ground for international space regulation
The increasing weaponisation of space poses a significant threat to the security of the planet. What we need now is open dialogue which fosters cooperation rather than rivalry, argues Professor Nayef Al-Rodhan.
The importance of a strong and multilateral-focussed United States
30 Dec Security & Defence
The importance of a strong and multilateral-focussed United States
Joe Biden’s biggest challenge will be to re-establish a multilateral dynamic that keeps Russia in check, argues former US ambassador Cameron Munter.
Joe Biden: will he bring a fresh transatlantic wind?
24 Dec Security & Defence
Joe Biden: will he bring a fresh transatlantic wind?
Joe Biden seems likely to represent a return to a better and more harmonious transatlantic relationship; we should now stand together to champion global democracy and fairness, argues Nicolae Ştefănuță.
In conversation with... Nasser Bourita In Conversation With…
07 Dec Security & Defence
In conversation with... Nasser Bourita
The EU-Morocco relationship needs to transcend notions of ‘us and them’ and provide a clear political perspective to each partner’s ambitions, explains Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita.
In space, either we all win, or we all lose PM+
28 Oct Security & Defence
In space, either we all win, or we all lose
The European Union and wider international community must act urgently to avoid the further militarisation of outer space, writes Professor Nayef Al-Rodhan.
European Commission backs France in its ‘war of words’ with Turkey
27 Oct Security & Defence
European Commission backs France in its ‘war of words’ with Turkey
Move comes amid increasing tension between Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.