Slovakia as seen from an Austrian perspective: on the way toward a level playing field
Slovakia as seen from an Austrian perspective: on the way toward a level playing field

Summary/Abstract: This article analyzes the establishment of Slovakia on the international stage from an Austrian perspective, as well as the current Austrian cooperation with Slovakia. Over the past 20 years a close and neighborly relationship has developed. Through its EU, Schengen, and Eurozone memberships, Slovakia may overcome the asymmetry that initially characterized this bilateral relationship. There exists a great overlap in the foreign and European policies of the two countries. As members of the Eurozone and champions of closer integration, Slovakia and Austria should carry out a more systematic dialogue over their common interests. Nuclear power remains a potential problem for their bilateral relationship as the two countries hold starkly antithetical standpoints on the topic. Slovakia’s image deficit continues to make the pursuit of its interests difficult within the bilateral relationship.

• Details
• Contents