Austrian Chancellor: Perpetual neutrality commitment to law, peace, solidarity

Austria’s new chancellor reaffirmed his country’s role in the EU’s common security and defence policy while upholding the country’s neutral status.

During Austria’s celebration of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the 1955 Austrian State Treaty, Chancellor Christian Stocker also emphasised the close links between Austrian sovereignty and the European Union, “the largest peace project on our continent”, and referred to the importance of compromise, cohesion, and political culture as the basis of a stable, free state.

Perpetual neutrality is “not an expression of indifference” but a commitment to international law, peace, and solidarity with others, he added.