On 23 January 1963, the German magazine Der Spiegel publishes an interview with the Austrian Vice-Chancellor, Bruno Pittermann, in which Mr Pittermann discusses the links between Austria and the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 12 July 1963, following exploratory talks between representatives of the Austrian Government and representatives of the Commission of the European Economic Community (EEC), Jacques Bouiller, official in the Secretariat-General in the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), outlines the attitude of both parties towards the possible association of Austria with the European Common Market.

On 25 September 1963, following the exploratory talks between representatives of the Austrian Government and representatives of the Commission of the European Economic Community (EEC), Jacques Bouiller, official in the External Relations Directorate of the Secretariat-General of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), forwards to Charles Reichling, Director of External Relations in the Secretariat-General, an internal memorandum in which he outlines Austria’s cautious attitude towards a possible association with the Common Market.

Poster published in 1964 by the Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ) portraying the dangers posed to Austrian agriculture by the possible association of that country with the European Economic Community (EEC).

‘Brawl in Brussels.’ On 19 January 1963, the Austrian cartoonist, Ironimus, speculates on the advisability of the association of Austria with the European Economic Community (EEC), given the difficulties which the EEC is facing.

‘Waiting for the right connection.’ In 1966, the German cartoonist, Fritz Behrendt, portrays the Soviet Union’s opposition to any form of rapprochement between Austria and the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 7 April 1966, the Austrian Embassy in Luxembourg forwards to the Luxembourg Foreign Ministry a note in which it emphasises the importance of rapprochement between Austria and the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 17 May 1965, as negotiations are held in Brussels between the Commission of the European Economic Community (EEC) and Austria on the removal of obstacles to trade and on the attempts at harmonisation in order to avoid distortions of competition, Karl Schleinzer, Austrian Minister for Agriculture, outlines the situation of the Austrian agricultural industry as it faces up to the challenges of Europe.

On 19 March 1965, at the opening, in Brussels, of the negotiations on the future of economic relations between Austria and the European Economic Community (EEC), Fritz Bock, Austrian Minister for Trade, sets out the Austrian Government’s position.

On 2 March 1965, with a view to the forthcoming opening of negotiations between the Commission of the European Economic Community (EEC) and Austria, Bruno Kreisky, Austrian Foreign Minister, and Fritz Bock, Austrian Trade Minister, emphasise the importance of respect for the country’s neutral status.