Turkey is in Nato, providing the most military muscle after the US, while Austria is not. But Austria co-operates closely with Nato, and has more than 400 troops serving in Kosovo.
Austria condemned the Turkish veto, calling it "irresponsible".
Turkey is angry with Austria for trying to block its bid to join the EU.
A well-informed source told the BBC that heightened tensions between Turkey and Austria had essentially blocked Nato co-operation with the government in Vienna for the past year. The veto was affecting all the Western alliance's partnership activities, which include several ex-Soviet states.
BBC
23/5/17
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Turkey will not allow Austria’s participation in NATO activities as long as Vienna continues its anti-Turkey stance on European Union platforms, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source said on Tuesday...
ReplyDeleteThe source spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.
Earlier, various media outlets reported that Turkey was vetoing NATO’s cooperation with Austria.
Relations between Turkey -- a NATO member since 1952 -- and Austria have soured after Vienna voiced criticism against Ankara and its EU accession process.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend a NATO leaders’ summit on May 25 in Brussels.
[aa.com.tr]
23/5/17