According to a report based on a senior NATO representative in Germany, the Die Welt newspaper reported that Turkiye expects the important partner countries of the alliance to adopt the practice isolating Austria.

The tensions between Turkiye and Austria made it rough for NATO and the Partnership for Peace program, which 40 partner countries have joined. After the tensions and Turkiye's temperament, Austrian troops cannot exercise together with NATO countries and will not be able to participate in important alliance programs of the alliance.

The Die Welt newspaper has published it based on high-level NATO diplomats, and it is stated that a decision on the issue will come out today. The blockade of Austria by Ankara and the demand by the Vienna administration for the termination of the membership negotiations between Turkiye and the European Union, the explanations of Austrian politicians targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the attitude of this country in the April 16 referendum reported that caused this attitude.

According to the decision of NATO; Cooperation between Europe, Asia and the alliance with the former Soviet republics, including Georgia and Ukraine, will be expanded and every country will be able to sign agreements with NATO alone. Thus, the military co-operation that links Austria to all the partner countries for months has also been lifted.

In the statements made by NATO circles, it was stated that “this unpleasant issue is hoped to be removed of the agenda before the Thursday NATO summit, where US President Donald Trump will join”. With the reforms to be decided on the summit, the “Partnership for Peace” can be restarted. Austria will not participate in the partnership project.

It is not yet clear what the decision means in terms of NATO's presence in the Balkans. Austria, which has joined the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo with 400 soldiers, is among the countries with the highest number of troops in this region. Partner countries playing an important role in NATO are supporting the alliance in military operations, participating in training programs, fighting corruption in the defense area, helping NATO in the fight against munitions and mines. Partner countries also share military intelligence information with the alliance.

ILKHA