Security threat Turkey bars Austria from Nato in EU row

Turkey is blocking Nato co-operation with more than 40 partner countries in a diplomatic row with Austria, it has emerged.

Turkey, the second largest military in the alliance, is a full member of Nato and is using its veto powers to bar Austria from taking part in exercises or operations with the group.

Other partner countries such as Finland, Sweden and Ireland have also been affected by the ban.

Austria yesterday accused Turkey of “endangering the security interests of Europe”. The Turkish government is believed to be acting in retaliation for Austrian moves to block it from joining the EU.

Austria is among President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s most oustpoken EU critics, and has called for accession talks to be formally ended. Hanspeter Doskozil, the Austrian defence minister, told the BBC Turkey’s actions were “endangering the security interests of Europe”.

Nato is to hold a meeting tomorrow on the issue. The alliance is expected to revise its procedures so the Turkish veto will no longer apply to all partner countries.