ABSTRACT
Austria is a small country in Central Europe whose present-day identity is founded in its former Habsburg identity, the two civil wars in 1934, the authoritarian corporative state of 1934–38, its experiences as a part of the Third Reich and during the Second World War, as well as in the effects of the 1945–55 fourpower occupation. The key to its full independence was its neutral status, as demanded by the Soviet Union, a status that slowly seeped into the Austrian identity, maintained even after the country joined the EU in 1995. The role of the Soviet Union and other external forces in post-war Austria is therefore vital to any understanding of its relations with Russia today. This chapter deals first with the historical background to Austria's relations with the Soviet Union and then Russia. Some consideration is also given to the EU-Austria- Russia triangle. An important element of Austria's economic, but also political relations with Moscow since 1968 is the import of Soviet and then Russian gas. Because of its location, Austria has played a significant role in the import and distribution of this gas to Western Europe. Added to this, Austria is one of the main destinations for asylum seekers in Europe. A particular problem are the Chechen refugees, who have also impacted noticeably on Austria's relations with Russia. Finally, Russian views about Austria as well as Russian influence on Austria will be discussed in some detail. It is worth noting too that, to offset the overly ‘rosy’ picture which is regularly the stuff of diplomatic statements, this chapter aims to deliver a more ‘realistic’ view of Austria's position vis-à-vis Russia in the context of the EU.
