On 3 February 2000, the European Parliament adopts a resolution in which it condemns the admission of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) into a coalition government and welcomes the action taken by the Portuguese Presidency of the Council and by the Commission to counter racism and xenophobia in Austria and Europe.

On 20 September 2000, eight days after the lifting of the diplomatic measures taken by the 14 Member States of the European Union against the Austrian Government, Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel (ÖVP) reviews the events of the past few months and comments on the work of the coalition at a special session of the National Council in Vienna.

On 5 February 2000, Agence Europe in Brussels gives an account of the various political positions adopted in Europe on the ‘Austrian crisis’ and publishes the joint declaration made by Wolfgang Schüssel and Jörg Haider, the respective leaders of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), on the ‘Responsibility for the future of Austria at the heart of Europe’.

On 8 February 2000, Ferdinando Riccardi, Editor-in-Chief of Agence Europe in Brussels, draws some political lessons from the ‘Austrian crisis’ and demonstrates that membership of the European Union makes it almost impossible for a State not to respect the fundamental principles and moral obligations of the Treaty.

On 1 February 2000, the European Commission publishes a statement in which it notes the declaration made by the Portuguese Presidency the previous day and affirms that it shares the concerns which underlie that declaration.

On 31 January 2000, the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union announces on behalf of the 14 Member States that sanctions will be imposed against Austria if a coalition government that includes the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) is formed.

On 20 September 2000, following the lifting, eight days earlier, of the diplomatic measures imposed by 14 Member States of the European Union against the Austrian Government, the Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel (right), prepares to speak at a special sitting of the National Council in Vienna. On the left is Alfred Gusenbauer, Leader of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ).

On 5 May 2000, at a special session of the Council of Ministers held in Vienna, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Austrian Foreign Minister, calls for the lifting of the diplomatic measures imposed by 14 Member States of the European Union against the Austrian Government.

‘Fourteen to one.’ On 8 February 2000, the Austrian cartoonist, Ironimus, expresses his amazement at the diplomatic measures adopted by 14 Member States of the European Union against Austria in order to stigmatise the new coalition government formed by the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) led by the nationalist firebrand Jörg Haider.

‘Cold shower for Benita.' On 14 June 2000, the Austrian cartoonist, Ironimus, portrays the difficulties encountered by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Austrian Foreign Minister, in her attempts to secure the lifting of the diplomatic measures imposed by 14 Member States of the European Union against the Austrian Government.