Neutrality in Transition
Comparative Perspectives from Austria, Ireland, Switzerland, and Malta
Jun 05, 2025 / Austrian Foreign, Security, Defence Policy
On 5 June 2025, the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES), in collaboration with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defense (BMLV), hosted an expert workshop exploring comparative perspectives on neutrality in Austria, Ireland, Switzerland, and Malta.
Head of the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zürich, Daniel Möckli, together with Valentina Cassar from the University of Malta, Martin Senn from the University of Innsbruck and John O’Brennan from the University of Maynooth (Ireland) highlighted key differences and commonalities in the historical foundations and evolution of their respective neutrality policies and public perception.
The event, moderated by AIES Research Fellow Christoph Schwarz, featured a dynamic and engaging discussion on contemporary security challenges, the role of neutrality in policymaking, and its evolving interpretation. Participants also examined neutrality in the context of shifting dynamics in the international system. The workshop concluded with reflections on the future role of neutral states within the European security architecture and the potential for aligning neutrality with the demands of collective security and defense.
Related Events
Austria’s Security Policy – Is Neutrality Still Appropriate?
07.05.2025 / AIES Research Fellow Christoph Schwarz as a lecturer at the Bildungswerk des Deutschen Bundeswehrverbandes
"Neutrality in Uncertain Times"
06.05.2025 / AIES Research Fellow Christoph Schwarz visited the Academy of Sciences
Neutrality in Transition
13.04.2023 / Part 1 of the event trilogy "Zeitenwende in Europe"
Contact
Event Management
