The four neutral countries sent a corresponding letter to the military alliance in December, as the “Presse” (Tuesday edition) reported. With a view to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the partnership with the alliance is of “growing importance,” the paper says.
The situation on the continent has deteriorated substantially and is volatile. That’s why we now want to strengthen cooperation with NATO. Especially when it comes to “common values,” Austria, Malta, Ireland and Switzerland are the “closest NATO partners,” write the four neutral states that act as WEP4 (Western European partners).
The “non-paper” that was submitted to the alliance at the end of last year contains very specific suggestions on how cooperation might be advanced. The WEP4 would like to have regular exchanges and the opportunity to take part in additional exercises. They also want privileged access to NATO documents and information, “on the basis of mutual trust” and existing security agreements. According to reports, the WEP4 is also specifically concerned with the increased exchange of intelligence data, writes the “Presse”.
The Foreign Ministry in Vienna explained the cooperation of the WEP4 to the “press” with a harsher “geopolitical wind”. Neutrality alone does not create security, but joining NATO is “of course not an issue.”
Austria has been cooperating with NATO since February 1995 as part of the “Partnership for Peace” (PfP). Austria is one of the largest troop contributors to the NATO-led KFOR mission in Kosovo.
