Austria and COCOM

Austria, while as a neutral country not participating in the strategic embargo of the West vis-à-vis the Eastern countries (COCOM), was nevertheless indirectly involved. The transfer of technology has been subject to various forms of control, in 1988 exports of high technology were made liable to special permission. In an international comparison Austria delivers relatively few technological goods to the East. With East-West antagonism coming to an end also artificial trade barriers are being rescinded, including the embargo. These developments will on the whole have positive effects for Austria.