Austrian diplomacy in a changing global and European context: Between innovation, adaptation and resilience

Abstract

Twenty years after Austria joining the EU, this contribution investigates how Austrian diplomacy has been adjusting to the changing European demands and opportunities next to global and domestic pressures for adaptation. Austrian diplomatic adaptation has predominantly been reactive. EU membership and EU sanctions pushed Austrian diplomats to re-adjust their role conceptions. On a more structural level, Austrian diplomacy followed global trends, while domestic budget cuts and lack of strategic reorientation acted as constrains. Also the introduction of the European External Action Service triggered a rather reactive response to top down Europeanization: the increased European diplomatic coordination attempts since 2009 are considered additional tools rather than a substitute for Austrian diplomacy.