At the Berlin Security Conference, Clemens Mayr-Harting, Director General for EU, International Affairs and National Coordination at the Austrian Federal Chancellery, reflects on Austria’s 70 years of independence and the evolving meaning of neutrality in today’s security environment. In the interview, he explains why neutrality remains historically significant for the Austrian population, while at the same time having adapted to new realities shaped by EU membership and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Mayr-Harting outlines how neutrality continues to frame Austria’s defence policy—excluding foreign bases and military alliances—while allowing for deeper cooperation within the European Union. He discusses Austria’s participation in the European Sky Shield Initiative as a pragmatic response to growing threats from missiles and drones, emphasizing joint procurement as a cost-efficient way to strengthen national air defence while retaining full sovereign control. Beyond military capabilities, he highlights Austria’s comprehensive “total defence” approach, which integrates military readiness, economic and supply-chain resilience, civilian preparedness, and societal awareness. The conversation offers a nuanced view of how a neutral country builds resilience against hybrid threats in an increasingly complex security landscape.