Captured in neutrality?

Austria's policy of neutrality and its implications on its relationship with the European Union

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: European Union, grade: 1,0, Charles University in Prague, course: West European Politics and Society, 11 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: This essay is going to examine Austria's policy of neutrality especially in the light of its implications for the relationship to the European Union. What was once enforced became an important part of national identity and seemed also after the Cold War hindering an accession of Austria to the European Community. Over the past years Austria tried to adapt its principle of neutrality and thereby finally became a full member of the European Union 1995. However, the policy of neutrality is still on the agenda especially concerning the Constitution for Europe. The questions which will be addressed in that paper are: What is the meaning of Austria's policy of neutrality in general? What did this implied for Austria's foreign policy and its relationship to European Community? How comes, that this principle is still so important and how does Austria evaluate the Constitution for Europe in terms of neutrality?