Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has stated that his country does not intend to follow the example of Finland and Sweden in its efforts to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
On the sideline of a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Schallenberg said in Brussels on Monday: “Our geographical situation is completely different and we have a completely different history, and I think it should be taken into account.”
Meanwhile, Schallenberg stressed that “there is no neutrality in the war”, referring to Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, that Austria is not politically neutral.
“We have taken a very clear stance and participated in all sanctions, and we provide subsidies where we can,” he said.
“His country’s armed forces should not be taken lightly,” Schallenberg said, in response to a question about whether Austria’s security is still guaranteed despite the alliance’s neutrality.
Schallenberg believes it is right to invest more money in Austria’s security and believes it needs to be understood that “the world is no longer as friendly as we expected.”
He and Sweden have officially announced that they will follow Finland’s example in seeking membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
It came at a time when Finland and Sweden turned to submit a request for NATO membership in the background of Russia’s ongoing military operation in Ukraine.
Russia condemned these plans and promised to take “military and other technical intervention measures” in the matter.
Source: Agencies + Austrian media
Source: Arabic RT
