1 Security policy in the 21st century Concerning the security of Austria and the EU, there are fundamental differences between the general circumstances in the second half of the 20th century and those of the present and the foreseeable future. The security agenda is no longer determined by the consequences of the former conflict between the East and the West. Consequently, and due to the collective European process of integration and cooperation, the European States now have the opportunity, for the first time in history, to achieve a self-determined, lasting collective future in an area in which peace, freedom, security and justice prevail. At the same time, the security situation in Europe is now marked by new challenges, risks and threats, which have a greater level of complexity, interconnectedness and unpredictability than before and relate to internal and external security. In this age of globalisation, regional events can have global repercussions, and aspects of individual security are becoming increasingly important. The fundamental human rights and the needs of human beings are thus at the heart of all considerations relating to security. Modern security policy has become a cross-cutting issue which has to be taken into account in almost every sphere of life and policy. It must be based on a comprehensive and integrated approach, allow for active participation and be implemented in the spirit of solidarity. Comprehensive security policy means that external and internal aspects of security are inextricably interlinked, as are civil and military aspects. It extends beyond the purview of the ministries and departments traditionally in charge of security and encompasses instruments from policy areas, like economy and social affairs, integration, development, environment, agriculture, finance, transport and infrastructure, education, information and communication, as well as health. Integrated security policy must be based on a cooperative approach between governmental and non-governmental actors; security must be understood as a “comprehensive package”, as it were. Proactive security policy means working towards preventing threats from emerging in the first place or at least taking steps to mitigate their negative impact (shaping security). Security policy based on solidarity takes into account that the security of neutral Austria is now largely interconnected with the security of the EU as a whole. In the 21st century, Austria’s security policy, therefore, encompasses all of the measures at national, European and international levels intended to achieve the following objectives: • • • 4 actively working towards shaping a situation that is conducive to the security of Austria, its population and the European Union (EU) as a whole; preventing threats from emerging or taking effect; protecting against and coping with threats.