Schallenberg: No breach of neutrality by "Sky Shield"

2023-07-02 10:57:00

“Sky Shield” is not a NATO initiative and not a joining of a military alliance, but merely “the cooperation of a number of states,” emphasized the Foreign Minister. The initiative is about “pooling and sharing”. Schallenberg pointed out that France, an important NATO member, was not taking part in the initiative. He acknowledged that, apart from NATO aspirant Sweden, Austria is currently the only non-NATO country wanting to join the initiative. According to the minister, Austria’s neutrality remains 100 percent if it participates in “Sky Shield”.

When asked, Schallenberg emphasized the federal government’s commitment to Austria’s permanent neutrality and denied that “Sky Shield” could possibly be a military alliance. Schallenberg justified this with the lack of a support clause: “There is no automatism. It is simply that you share information”.

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Strong criticism of the FPÖ

In a previous broadcast, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl had sharply criticized Austria’s planned accession to the European airspace defense system, claiming that this threatened Austria’s neutrality.

The FPÖ was critical of the Foreign Minister’s statements. “Participating in every EU outrage and at the same time insisting on neutrality is not an option at the end of the day,” said FPÖ foreign policy spokesman Axel Kassegger. Schallenberg’s clean bill of health for “Sky Shield” is questionable in that he himself confirmed in an interview with “Deutschlandfunk” that Austria would not join any defense alliance. Kasseger was equally concerned that Schallenberg was not unconditionally committed to an end to the war and serious negotiations in the Ukraine.

The press hour also dealt with various foreign policy issues such as the Ukraine war and its effects, as well as migration and Austria’s political course on the issue. Schallenberg rejected rumors that former Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl could be stripped of her citizenship because of her pro-Russian activities and statements. There are “not the slightest plans” in this direction. However, he clearly distances himself from the statements made by “this person”.