Austria not considering to join NATO

Austrian Defense Minister Guenther Platter says the country has no plans to join NATO.

"I rule out membership in NATO," Guenther Platter was quoted by the AP as saying. Platter said Austria instead was "proceeding on the path of a joint European security and defense policy."

Platter represents the ruling People's Party, which in the past has been in favor of a possible NATO membership for Austria. To join the alliance, the country would have to abandon its neutrality, which is part of the constitution.