2 The security situation in Austria 2.1 Situational analysis 2.1.1 Developments in Europe and at international level The developments in security policy within Europe are increasingly determined by the work of international organisations, particularly the European Union (EU). The EU has become an established player in the fields of justice and home affairs as well as in foreign and security policy—areas in which it has developed an increasing capacity to act. The EU is a model of political stability, security and prosperity; however, the shortcomings in stability and prosperity in the peripheral areas of the continent negatively affect its security. Today, due to their complexity, security issues can only be resolved through international cooperation. The role of international organisations and forums is thus becoming ever more important, as is their collaboration in a “comprehensive approach”. At the same time, the role of individual states is generally diminishing in relative terms. However, certain emerging powers are set to gain substantial importance with regard to the economy and security. The fact that some of these emerging powers do not adequately represent the values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law presents a further challenge. The EU intends to make increasing efforts to tackle the new security policy tasks. It will need to respond flexibly to new kinds of challenges in the future and develop new instruments and mechanisms in order to confront the security implications of regional crises, environmental disasters, migration or climate change. The EU’s activities in other larger policy areas also increasingly encompass elements of security, for instance in the stabilisation and association process of the countries in the Western Balkans, the European Neighbourhood Policy, cooperation with the countries of the Mediterranean, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and development cooperation. Rapid progress is being made in the field of internal security in terms of creating an area of freedom, security and justice in Europe. The main priorities here are promoting the citizens’ rights, ensuring that Europe offers protection, dealing with migration and asylum issues and strengthening the external aspects of freedom, security and justice. Furthermore, the EU Internal Security Strategy, adopted in 2010, defines a “European Security Model”. Its aim is to combat not only the effects but also the causes of insecurity, prioritise prevention and anticipation, involve all of the relevant political, economic and social sectors concerned with the protection of the people, and establish stronger links between internal and external security. The EU Internal Security Strategy places particular emphasis on the “Salzburg Forum”, a Central European security partnership initiated by Austria, which consists of eight countries. The EU has significantly enhanced its potential as a player in crisis management by creating the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and by deepening these policy areas with the Lisbon Treaty. The so-called “Battlegroups” and “Civilian Response Teams” were thus established to provide rapidly deployable EU forces, and the scope of the relevant “Petersberg tasks”1 was extended accordingly. 1 Article 43(2) TEU 5