Austria–Turkey relations

Last updated
Austrian–Turkish relations
Austria Turkey Locator.png
Flag of Austria.svg
Austria
Flag of Turkey.svg
Turkey
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Austria, AnkaraEmbassy of Turkey, Vienna

The Austrians and Turks have had significantly long relations with each other dating back centuries, from the modern-day Austria and Turkey to their predecessor states, the Habsburg Empire and Ottoman Empire respectively. Having fought a number of wars, they fought as allies during the First World War before their empires simultaneously dissolved due to their defeats. [1]

Contents

Today, both countries are relatively smaller to their historical empires. Relations between the modern-day states are relatively normal, however Austrian opposition — particularly among conservative and right-wing parties — to the Accession of Turkey to the European Union as well as Turkish immigration to Austria has become a point of tension. [2] Both countries are members of the Council of Europe. Austria is an EU member and Turkey is an EU candidate. Turkey is a member of NATO. Austria is not a member of NATO.

The Habsburgs and the Ottomans

From the Middle Ages until the twentieth century, today's Austria and Turkey were the core regions within much larger empires. Austria was the seat of the House of Habsburg and Turkey was ruled by the House of Osman (also known as the Ottoman Dynasty). The Habsburg and Ottoman states were both large multi-ethnic conglomerations sustained by conquest. These rival empires waged frequent wars against each other over control of much Central Europe and the Balkans.

During its peak, the Ottoman Empire threatened to conquer the Austrian capital of Vienna twice: in 1529 and 1683. After the second Ottoman defeat at Vienna and the end of the Great Turkish War in 1699; however, the Habsburgs gained the upper hand, and captured Hungary and Croatia from the Ottomans. After these gains, Austria was no longer able to advance into the Balkans; because of the rival influence of Russia, in a stalemate and dispute known as the Eastern Question.

While Ottoman control in the Balkans declined, the Austrians were not able to annex any new territory until Bosnia in 1908, and even that caused a diplomatic crisis (the Bosnian crisis). In the interim, Russia had helped several nationalities in the Balkans to rebel against the Ottomans and create separate nation-states in the Balkans. After the culmination of all the changes from the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829) to the Balkan Wars (1912–1913) the Austrian and Ottoman empires no longer bordered each other. This allowed both to join the Central Powers as allies during the First World War. The defeat of the Central Powers led to the overthrow of both monarchies and the collapse of both empires.

Austrian and Turkish republics

Austria and Turkey currently have normal relations with each other. However, there are some minor complications. Austria, which has approximately 250,000 Turks living there (about 3% of Austria's population), has been at the forefront of blocking Turkey's accession to the European Union, particularly among conservative and right-wing parties such as the Austrian People's Party and Freedom Party of Austria which maintains a significant political presence. [2]

Austria's position in Turkey's accession to the European Union

On 10 November 2010, relations between the two countries were excessively tensed after the Turkish ambassador to Austria, Kadri Ecvet Tezcan, accused the Austrian public and political elite of xenophobia and called on international organisations with buildings in Vienna to relocate to another country. The Freedom Party called for the suspension of diplomatic relations and for stopping EU accession talks with Ankara. [3]

In December 2017, Turkey accused the incoming Austrian government of discrimination and racism, after it would not agree to Ankara joining the EU. In addition, Turkey slammed the EU for not condemning the Austrian government's approach. Also, the Turkish foreign ministry accused the incoming government of “dishonesty,” and warned that their approach would bring Austria “to the brink of losing Turkey’s friendship” and be met with “the reaction that it deserves.” [4]

In September 2023, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, in an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt, called for the termination of full membership negotiations between the EU and Turkey and the development of a new concept within the relations between the EU and Turkey. [5]

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greece–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Greece and Turkey established diplomatic relations in the 1830s following Greece's formation after its declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire. Modern relations began when Turkey declared its formation in 1923 following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. Rivalry has characterised their relations for most of their history with periods of positive relations but no underlying resolution of the main issues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Germany–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

German–Turkish relations have their beginnings in the times of the Ottoman Empire and they have culminated in the development of strong bonds with many facets that include economic, military, cultural and social relations. With Turkey as a candidate for the European Union, of which Germany is the largest member, and the existence of a significant Turkish diaspora in Germany, these relations have become more and more intertwined over the decades. Relations with Turkey significantly deteriorated after the 2016–17 Turkish purges including the arrest of journalists such as Die Welt's Deniz Yücel. Both countries are members of the Council of Europe and NATO. Germany opposes Turkey's European Union membership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austria–Russia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Bilateral relations exist and existed between Austria and Russia and their predecessor states. Since October 1955, the Republic of Austria maintains the constitutionally-mandated status of neutrality; the country is a founding member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OEEC). Austria joined the EU in 1995. Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a partner of ASEAN, a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the G20, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as well as the leading member state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Both countries are members of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulgaria–Germany relations</span> Bilateral relations

Bulgaria–Germany relations are the bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Germany. Bulgaria has an embassy in Berlin, a general-consulate in Munich and an office in Bonn. Germany has an embassy in Sofia. As EU members, the Bulgarian government views Germany as its key strategic partner in the EU. Some Bulgarian government ministers and former President Plevneliev speak German. German experts have been and still are active in an advisory capacity in Bulgarian government ministries as part of continuing implementation measures connected with the country's EU accession. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the European Union and NATO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denmark–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Denmark–Turkey relations are the current and historical relations between Denmark and Turkey. Denmark has an embassy in Ankara, and Turkey has an embassy in Copenhagen. Both countries are members of NATO and OSCE and COE. Diplomatic relations between Denmark and Turkey were put under pressure in 2014 because of the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy and the Roj TV affair (Roj TV's broadcasting license was suspended by the Supreme Court in Denmark on February 27, 2014). Denmark is a member of the EU, Turkey is EU candidate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulgaria–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Bulgarian–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Bulgaria and Turkey. Bulgaria has an embassy in Ankara, two general consulates in Istanbul and Edirne and a chancellery in Bursa. Turkey has an embassy in Sofia and two general consulates in Plovdiv and Burgas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Italy–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Italy-Turkey relations are the relations between Italy and Turkey. Both countries are members of NATO and the Union for the Mediterranean and have active diplomatic relations. Relations between Turkey and Italy date back centuries in the form of various predecessor states.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portugal–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Portuguese–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Portugal and Turkey. Portugal has an embassy in Ankara. Turkey has an embassy in Lisbon. Both countries are full members of NATO. Also Portugal is an EU member and Turkey is an EU candidate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spain–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

The Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of Turkey maintain diplomatic relations. Spain has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate general in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Madrid and a consulate general in Barcelona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poland–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Polish–Turkish relations are the foreign relations between Poland and Turkey. Both countries are full members of NATO, OECD, OSCE, the Union for the Mediterranean, the Council of Europe and the World Trade Organisation. Poland is a member of the European Union, Turkey is not a member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romania–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Romanian–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Romania and Turkey. The two countries maintain longstanding historical, geographic, and cultural relations. Romania has an embassy in Ankara and two consulates-general in Istanbul and İzmir. Romania also has four honorary consulates in Turkey in İskenderun, Edirne, Trabzon and Eskişehir. Romania also has a cultural institute The Romanian Cultural Institute "Dimitrie Cantemir". Turkey has an embassy in Bucharest and a consulate-general in Constanţa. Turkey also has two honorary consulates in Cluj-Napoca and Iași. Both countries are full members of NATO, the BLACKSEAFOR and BSEC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Croatia–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Croatia and Turkey established diplomatic relations in 1992. Turkey recognized independent Croatia in 1991. Croatia has an embassy in Ankara and an consulate-general in Istanbul and an 2 honorary consulates in Antalya and İzmir. Turkey has an embassy in Zagreb. Both countries are full members of Council of Europe and of NATO. Croatia is an EU member and Turkey is an EU candidate. Croatia supports Turkey's accession negotiations to the EU, although negotiations have now been suspended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austria–Serbia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Foreign relations exist between Austria and Serbia and their predecessor states. Austria has an embassy in Belgrade. Serbia has an embassy in Vienna and a general consulate in Salzburg. Austria is a European Union member and Serbia is a European Union candidate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serbia–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Serbian–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Serbia and Turkey. Serbia has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate-general in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Belgrade. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). Turkey is a member of NATO. Serbia instead is not a member of NATO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finland–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Finland–Turkey relations are foreign relations between Finland and Turkey. Finland has an embassy in Ankara and an honorary consulate general in Istanbul and other honorary consulates in Adana, Alanya, Antalya, Belek, Bodrum, İzmir, and Kayseri. Turkey has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the Union for the Mediterranean. Also Finland is an EU member and Turkey is an EU candidate. Turkey did not support Finland's accession to NATO until March 2023, but accepted its participation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hungary–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Hungary–Turkey relations are the bilateral relations between Hungary and Turkey. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the OECD, the NATO, the OSCE and the WTO. Also Hungary is an EU member and Turkey is an EU candidate. Hungary supports Turkey's accession negotiations to the EU, although negotiations have now been suspended. Hungary has observer status in the Organization of Turkic States, in which Turkey is a full member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belgium–Turkey relations</span> Foreign relations between Turkiye and Belgium

Belgian–Turkish relations are foreign relations between Belgium and Turkey. Belgium has an embassy in Ankara, a consulate–general in Istanbul and two consulates in Antalya and İzmir. Turkey has an embassy in Brussels and a consulate–general in Antwerp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Macedonia–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

North Macedonia–Turkey relations are the bilateral relations between North Macedonia and Turkey. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and of the NATO. North Macedonia has an embassy in Ankara and a Consulate General in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Skopje.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">France–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

French–Turkish relations cover a long period from the 16th century to the present, starting with the alliance established between Francis I and Suleiman the Magnificent. Relations remained essentially friendly during a period of nearly three centuries, with the resumption of intense contacts from the reign of Louis XIV. Relations became more complex with the French campaign in Egypt and Syria by Napoleon I in 1798, and the dawn of the modern era. Both countries are members of the Council of Europe and NATO. France is an EU member and Turkey is an EU candidate. France opposes Turkey's accession negotiations to the EU, although negotiations have now been suspended.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Netherlands–Turkey relations</span> Bilateral relations

Dutch–Turkish relations are the bilateral relations between the Netherlands and Turkey. The diplomatic relations widely encompass and span four centuries, beginning in 1612. The first Turkish representative in the Netherlands started activities in 1859.

References

  1. Tracy, James D. (April 2015). "The Habsburg Monarchy in Conflict with the Ottoman Empire, 1527–1593: A Clash of Civilizations". Austrian History Yearbook. 46: 1–26. doi:10.1017/S0067237814000071 . Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  2. 1 2 Woschitz, Johannes (23 March 2021). "Attitudes towards Turkish and Turks in Austria: From Guestworkers to "Quasi-Foreigners" in a Changing Social Landscape". Languages. 6 (1): 58. doi: 10.3390/languages6010058 .
  3. Traynor, Ian (11 November 2010). "Austria treats Turks 'like a virus', ambassador claims". The Guardian.
  4. "Turkey accuses new Austria government of racism". The Times of Israel. 17 December 2017.
  5. "Österreich für Ende der EU-Beitrittsgespräche mit der Türkei". www.welt.de (in German). September 11, 2023.