Forum on 'Central Europe': Austria and Central Europe
Forum on 'Central Europe': Austria and Central Europe

Summary/Abstract: The article attempts to explain why Austria, a small country in the center of Europe, has difficulty in finding partners among its neighbours. After World War II, in spite of the war's destruction and four power occupations, Austria became a prosperous country. During the Cold War, it was regarded as a beacon of liberty by the citizens in the Communist neighboring states. But the country oriented itself towards Westarn Europe just when the Iron Curtain fell. As an EU member, Austria could not find close partners. The reasons for that were basically domestic quarrels among the political elites and a public opinion that expressed negative attitudes towards some neighbors.

• Details
• Contents