Austrian Development policy - From global to neighbourhood policy?

Abstract

When Austria joined the EU in 1995, it was expected that the Austrian government would increase the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget and organise their aid management more in line with European and international standards. There was thus an expectation that Austria would witness a Europeanization of its development policy. Looking at the situation after 20 years of membership, it seems that Austria took on board the European development rhetoric without a significant increase of the overall ODA budget. Although a more professional Austrian Development Agency (ADA) has been established, ODA is still focused more on neighbourhood policy in the Western Balkans and in promoting foreign trade interests in the Caucasus region than on poverty reduction in the global south and in delivering contributions to the global public goods. Due to the lack of a strong binding acquis, Austria has been able to hide under the umbrella of an European Development policy with development rhetoric and some adjustment of implementing structures without any significant financial disbursements.