On 4 November 1993, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the position of the various Austrian political parties with regard to Austria’s possible accession to the European Union and with a view to the referendum which will need to be held in the country following the accession negotiations.

‘Currying favour with the citizen.' On 15 April 1994, in the Vienna-based daily newspaper Die Presse, the Austrian cartoonist, Ironimus, portrays the efforts being made by the Austrian Chancellor, Franz Vranitzky, to encourage his fellow citizens to vote ‘Yes' in the referendum to be held on 12 June 1994 on Austria's accession to the European Union.

In May 1994, the Socialist Party of Austria (SPÖ) calls on the Austrian people to vote ‘Yes’ in the national referendum to be held on 12 June 1994 regarding Austria’s accession to the European Union.

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) calls on the Austrian people to vote ‘No’ in the referendum organised on 12 June 1994 in Austria regarding the country’s accession to the European Union.

On 10 June 1994, two days before the Austrian referendum on the country’s accession to the European Union, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro publishes an interview with the Austrian Chancellor, Franz Vranitzky, on the referendum’s implications.

On 10 June 1994, on the eve of the referendum held in Austria on the country’s accession to the European Union (EU), Thomas Klestil, President of the Austrian Republic, delivers a televised address in which he calls on his fellow citizens to vote for the country’s accession to the EU.

On 10 June 1994, the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit analyses the implications of the referendum due to be held on 12 June in Austria on the country’s accession to the European Union.

On 11 June 1994, on the eve of the referendum to be held in Austria on the country’s accession to the European Union, the Vienna-based daily newspaper Die Presse calls on the Austrian people to vote for accession.

On 12 June 1994, in the National Council in Vienna, Franz Vranitzky, Austrian Federal Chancellor and leader of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), and Erhard Busek, Federal Vice-Chancellor and leader of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), welcome the victory of the ‘Yes’ vote in the Austrian referendum on accession to the European Union.

On 12 June 1994, the Austrian people vote two to one in favour of their country's accession to the European Union. This table gives the detailed results of the vote in the country's nine states.

Supporters of the yes vote are overjoyed at the announcement of the positive result of the referendum organised on 12 June 1944 in Austria regarding the accession of Austria to the European Union.

On 13 June 1994, the day after the referendum in Austria on the country’s accession to the European Union, the Vienna daily newspaper Die Presse considers that the positive vote by the Austrians may strengthen the position of the supporters of the ‘Yes’ vote in Finland, Norway and Sweden.

On 14 June 1994, the French daily newspaper Le Monde welcomes the decision of the Austrian people who, in a referendum two days earlier, came out in favour of their country joining the European Union.

On 26 June 1994, the Austrian Chancellor, Franz Vranitzky, outlines in the Spanish daily newspaper El País the impact of Austrian accession to the European Union following the positive outcome of the referendum held two weeks previously in that country.

On 28 June 1994, Thomas Klestil, President of the Republic of Austria, delivers an address at the University of Zurich in which he expresses his views on the positive outcome of the referendum held on 12 June in Austria on the country’s accession to the European Union before considering the future of relations between Switzerland and Austria.

The Council Decision of 29 March 1994 concerning the taking of decisions by qualified majority gives effect to the ‘Ioannina Compromise'. This Compromise lays down that, where Members of the Council representing a number close to the blocking minority oppose the taking of a decision by qualified majority, the Council will do its utmost to reach, within a reasonsable period of time, a satisfactory solution that can be adopted by a larger consensus.

On 30 March 1994, during the negotiations for the accession of Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden to the EU, the Council of the European Union comments on the decisions taken regarding the reform of the decision-making procedure in the various European institutions.

In its March 1994 edition, the monthly journal Crocodile compares the outcome of the informal meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Twelve, held in Ioannina on 30 March 1994, with the Luxembourg Compromise of January 1966 concerning voting procedures within the Council.

On 31 March 1994, the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports on the progress of negotiations concerning the fourth wave of enlargement of the European Communities and describes the new voting pattern within the Council of Ministers.

On 19 April 1994, the Commission of the European Communities delivers a favourable opinion on the accession of Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden to the European Union.

On 4 May 1994, the European Parliament adopts four legislative resolutions in order to give its assent to the applications submitted by Norway, Austria, Finland and Sweden for accession to the European Union. This is the legislative resolution on Austria's application for accession.

On 16 May 1994, the Council of the European Union agrees to the accession of Norway, Austria, Finland and Sweden to the European Union.

Council Decision of 1 January 1995 amending the Council Decision of 29 March 1994 concerning the taking of decisions by qualified majority by the Council.

On 24 June 1994, in Corfu, the representatives of the Twelve and those of Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden sign their respective Treaties of Accession to the European Union.

At the end of the Corfu European Council held on 24 and 25 June 1994, the Twelve welcome the signing by Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden of the Treaty of Accession to the European Union (EU) and outline the challenges to be overcome by the EU and by its new Member States.

On 24 June 1994, in Corfu, Franz Vranitzky, Chancellor of Austria, signs the Treaty of Accession of his country to the European Union. From left to right: Ulrich Stacher, Director-General of the Federal Chancellery (Prime Minister’s Office) in Vienna, Manfred Scheich, Permanent Representative of Austria to the European Union, Franz Vranitzky, Austrian Federal Chancellor, and Alois Mock, Austrian Foreign Minister.

On 24 June 1994, the first day of the Corfu European Council, (from left to right) Veli Sundbäck, Finnish State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Pertti Salolainen, Finnish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Trade, Esko Aho, Finnish Prime Minister, and Heikki Haavisto, Finnish Foreign Minister, sign Finland’s Treaty of Accession to the European Union.

On 24 June 1994, at the Corfu Summit, the representatives of Sweden sign the Swedish Act of Accession to the European Union (from left to right): Frank Belfrage (Secretary of State for European Affairs), Margaretha af Ugglas (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Carl Bildt (Prime Ministers) and Ulf Dinkelspiel (Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade).

On 24 June 1994, in Corfu, the Heads of State or Government of Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden sign the acts of accession to the European Union of their countries.

In his memoirs, Jacques Delors, former President of the European Commission, refers to the last-minute economic and political difficulties that arose during the negotiations held in 1993 with Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden on accession to the European Union.

On 24 June 1994, Egon Klepsch, President of the European Parliament, welcomes the signing, the same day in Corfu, of the Treaty of Accession to the European Union by Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

On 24 June 1994, at the Corfu European Union Council, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Norwegian Prime Minister, welcomes the signing of Norway’s Treaty of Accession to the European Union and calls on her fellow citizens to support the country’s policy of European integration.

On 24 June 1994, Andreas Papandreou, Greek Prime Minister and President-in-Office of the European Council, welcomes the signing by Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden, the same day in Corfu, of the Treaty of Accession to the European Union.

On 24 June 1994, at the Corfu European Council, Thomas Klestil, President of the Republic of Austria, welcomes the signing of Austria’s Treaty of Accession to the European Union and emphasises his country’s strong attachment to Europe.

On 24 June 1994, at the Corfu European Council, Jacques Delors, President of the European Commission, welcomes the signing by Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden of the Treaty of Accession to the European Union.

On 24 June 1994, at the signing of Finland’s Treaty of Accession to the European Union, Martti Ahtisaari, President of the Republic of Finland, places particular emphasis on the importance of the European Union for the citizens of Europe.

On 24 June 1994, in Corfu, at the signing of Sweden’s Treaty of Accession to the European Union, Carl Bildt, Swedish Prime Minister, delivers an address in which he outlines the hopes of his country and the new challenges faced by the Europe of the Fifteen.

On 25 June 1994, the day after the signing, in Corfu, of Austria’s Treaty of Accession to the European Union, the Vienna daily newspaper Wiener Zeitung recounts the events of this historic day for the country.

On 24 September 1994, one month before the referendum held in Finland on the country’s accession to the European Union, Martti Ahtisaari, President of Finland, gives his views on the issue of the country’s independence in the European Union.

On 14 October 1994, the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit focuses on the political and economic situation in Finland on the eve of the referendum on that country's accession to the Treaty on European Union.

In a report published in the Spanish daily newspaper El País on 9 October 1994, the day before the referendum on Finland's accession to the European Union, the Finnish President, Martti Ahtisaari, discusses the implications of European accession on the future of his country.

On 16 October 1994, following the referendum held in Finland on the country’s accession to the European Union, a majority of 56.9 % of Finnish people vote in favour of accession. The photo shows Martti Ahtisaari, President of the Republic of Finland, putting his ballot paper in the ballot box.

On 16 October 1994, a national referendum is held in Finland to ask the people to vote for or against the country’s accession to the European Union. After the votes are counted, 56.9 % are found to have voted in favour of accession.

On 16 October 1994, Martti Ahtisaari, President of the Republic of Finland, delivers a televised address in which he welcomes the positive outcome of the referendum held the same day on Finland’s accession to the European Union.

On 18 October 1994, commenting on the positive result of the referendum held on 16 October in Finland for the ratification of the Treaty of Accession to the European Union, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro emphasises the importance of this accession for Northern Europe.

On 18 October 1994, commenting on the positive result of the referendum held two days earlier in Finland on the country’s accession to the European Union, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the reasons for this choice made by the Finnish people and attempts to gauge the effect that it will have on the referenda to be held in Sweden and Norway.

On 14 November 1994, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro comments on the positive result and implications of the referendum held the previous day in Sweden on the country’s accession to the European Union.

On 13 November 1994, the Swedish people are asked to vote in a referendum on the question of the country’s accession to the European Union. After the votes are counted, 52.2 % are found to have voted in favour of accession. The photo shows Prime Minister Ingvar Carlsson getting ready to place his ballot paper in the ballot box.

On 15 November 1994, the French daily newspaper Libération analyses the political situation in Sweden after the positive result of the referendum held on 13 November on the country’s accession to the European Union.

On 15 November 1994, the French daily newspaper Le Monde analyses Sweden's vote in favour of joining the European Union and describes the Swedish model of a welfare state.

On 15 November 1994, the French Catholic newspaper La Croix comments on the decision taken by the Swedish people to ratify the Treaty of Accession to the European Union and emphasises the relief of Sweden’s neighbouring countries.

In its 21 November 1994 issue, the German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel reports on the opposition of the Norwegian people to their country’s accession to the European Union. In the referendum held on 28 November, the Norwegian people vote against Norway’s accession to the European Union for the second time, after the 1972 referendum, with 52.2 % of ‘No’ votes.

Before the referendum held on 28 November 1994, numerous posters can be seen on the walls in Oslo inviting the people of Norway to vote in favour of their country’s accession to the European Union. The issue is all the more significant given that Norway voted against accession to the European Communities in the previous referendum held in September 1972.

Despite the final attempts to promote the ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum held on 28 November 1994, 52.5 % of Norwegian people vote against the country’s accession to the European Union.

On 28 November 1994, with reference to the Norwegian referendum on the accession of that country to the European Union, the conservative daily newspaper La Libre Belgique reviews the arguments of the supporters of the ‘no’ vote.

On 29 November 1994, the Madrid daily newspaper El País comments on the decision taken by the Norwegian people to vote against Norway’s accession to the European Union in the referendum held the previous day.

On 30 November 1994, the French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the decision of the Norwegian people who, for the second time in their history, have voted against joining the European Community.

On 11 November 1994, the British left-wing daily newspaper The Guardian analyses why the Norwegians said ‘No’ to their country’s accession to the European Union.

On 30 November 1994, the daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort takes the view that the refusal by the Norwegian people to approve their country's accession to the European Union in the referendum held on 28 November does not represent an insurmountable problem for the process of European integration.

On 30 November 1994, the Madrid daily newspaper El País considers the reasons that prompted the Norwegian people to vote against the accession of their country to the European Union in the referendum held on 28 November.

On 30 November 1994, the German daily newspaper the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung analyses the repercussions of the Norwegian ‘no’ vote on the country’s accession to the European Union.

‘Unsuccessful siren.’ On 30 November 1994, the German cartoonist, Horst Haitzinger, illustrates the opposition of the Norwegian people to their country’s accession to the European Union in the referendum held on 28 November.

On 2 December 1994, the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit speculates as to the reasons for the renewed rejection by the Norwegian people, consulted in a referendum, of Norway's accession to the European Communities.

In this interview, Bjørn Tore Godal, former Norwegian Foreign Minister, analyses the reasons behind the second rejection by the Norwegians, in a referendum held on 28 November 1994, of their country’s accession to the European Union. He also discusses the reaction of the governments of the European Union’s Member States following the rejection.

On 31 October 1994, German weekly Der Spiegel analyses the implications, particularly for the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), of the imminent accession of Finland and Sweden to the European Union.

On 22 November 1994, the German daily newspaper Die Welt analyses the geopolitical implications of the imminent accession of Finland and Sweden to the European Union.

On 1 January 1995, the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden increases the number of Member States of the European Union to 15.

On 1 January 1995, Austria, Finland and Sweden join the European Union (EU).

On 3 January 1995, the British left-wing newspaper The Guardian analyses the political and economic implications for Austria after its accession to the European Union.

On 4 January 1995, the daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort speculates on the new face of the enlarged European Union, which now includes Austria, Finland and Sweden, and considers the present and future political and economic implications of the enlargement.

In January 1995, the French monthly newspaper Le Monde Diplomatique considers that the enlargement of the European Union from 12 to 15 Member States has not improved its strength and cohesion.

On 6 January 1995, the French daily newspaper Le Monde describes the state of mind in which Sweden and Finland acceded to the European Union.

On 26 January 1995, the European Parliament welcomes to Strasbourg the very first MEPs from Austria, Finland and Sweden following the accession of those three countries to the European Union on 1 January 1995.

In January 1995, the Austrian Post Office issues a stamp to commemorate the country’s accession to the European Union.

On 8 February 1995, Thomas Klestil, President of the Republic of Austria, delivers an address at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London in which he outlines Austria’s expectations and ambitions in the enlarged European Union.

‘Molterer’s pills: sedatives.’ In 1995, the Austrian cartoonist, Ironimus, illustrates the efforts made by Wilhelm Molterer, Austrian Minister for Agriculture, to appease the discontent of Austrian farmers infuriated by the constraints of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

On 21 February 1995, Martti Ahtisaari, President of the Republic of Finland, delivers an address in Paris on Finland’s role in the enlarged European Union.

In 1995, in an interview for the French journal Politique Internationale, Martti Ahtisaari, President of the Republic of Finland, outlines the consequences of his country’s accession to the European Union in the area of foreign policy.

On 27 March 1995, the British left-wing daily newspaper The Guardian analyses the change of attitude in the Scandinavian countries towards the European Union.

Martti Ahtisaari, President of the Republic of Finland from 1994 to 2000, made his country’s accession to the European Union one of the key priorities of his mandate.