21 October 18:30: Challenges of Austria’s neutrality in Past and Present
When: 21 October, 18:30 Where: Dialogbüro Vienna (Eßlinggasse 9/6, 1010 Wien) Language: English Entry: free, please, register here
This year, Austria celebrates the 80th Anniversary of the Second Republic creation and 70 years since the State Treaty.
On the 21st of October, at the final event in our series, "Making of the Second Republic," which began in the spring, we’ll explore Austria’s historical commitment to non-alignment following World War II and how the country navigated the complexities of the Cold War. The discussion will also address contemporary challenges to Austrian neutrality, from the war in Ukraine to EU defense initiatives and rising international pressure.
• Under what circumstances did Austria acquire neutrality in 1955, 70 years ago? • How did neutrality shape Austria’s fate in the polarized world between the Warsaw Pact and NATO? • Why did Austria continue this course of neutrality after 1991? And can the country itself initiate a renouncement of this core orientation? • Could neutrality become a condition for Ukraine to get a sustainable peace? • Can (political, economic and societal) sovereignty and recovery of Ukraine be realized without sufficient security guarantees, and are there other options than NATO membership?
SPEAKERS
Dr. Sarah Knoll, Historian, contributor to the book “Austria’s Neutrality: Law, Politics and Society – A Debate” (Martin Senn/Jodok Troy). Research interests include Austrian contemporary history, migration and the Cold War
Olga Malashkina, Historian, PhD student in History at the University of Vienna. Studies the Occupation of Austria, 1945-1955
David Stögmüller, Member of the Austrian Parliament, The Green Club
Stefan Schocher, Freelance journalist, covering Austrian domestic politics as well as developments in Ukraine
Stefan Melle, Moderator of the discussion, Director of Dialogbüro Vienna