April 18, 2019

Cooperation of Intelligence Services

Austrian Intelligence Feels Isolated at the International Level

Serhiy Polyovyk

The popular German periodical, weekly Der Spiegel, on the 1st of April 2019 published an editorial with reference to mfh/dpa about Germany's being concerned with the development of right-wing extremist tendencies in Austria. The question is: is it advisable to continue to co-operate with some representatives of the Austrian government, who share extremist and nationalistic views? To the earlier concerns about Austrian policy, are added the European partners' fears regarding the neighbouring Austria's special services' excessive dependence on Russia. In the European community, in particular in Germany, as a leading EU country, are growing concerns about the right-wing radical position and the pro-Russian orientation of some forces in the parliament and in the government of formally neutral Austria. The community of European intelligence services, in particular, the Club de Berne, and leading politicians of political parties in Germany, express doubts whether to continue the exchange of important information with Austria.

As for Ukraine, we should now bear in mind this moment in bilateral relations with the Republic of Austria and in relations with international partner countries within the framework of the intelligence communities of Europe, NATO, and the USA.

The article is available in Ukrainian