In 1955, these US soldiers stationed in Vienna prepare to return home after the entry into force of the Austrian State Treaty of 15 May 1955 re-establishing an independent, neutral and democratic Austria.
‘The State Treaty: What can the Chancellor be dreaming of?’ In January 1955, the Austrian cartoonist, Ironimus, illustrates the expectations of the Austrian Chancellor, Julius Raab, who dreams of concluding a State Treaty for Austria.
On 20 November 1959, in Stockholm, representatives from Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom give the green light to the establishment of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
On 22 July 1972, the six Member States of the European Economic Community (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands), the four candidate countries (Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom) and the six member countries of EFTA which are not candidates for accession to the European Communities (Austria, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland) sign tariff and trade agreements in Brussels.
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.
In November 1994, the European Parliament’s External Office in Paris summarises, point by point, the negotiations being conducted with Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden on accession to the European Union.
In 1994, with a view to the fourth enlargement of the European Union, the German cartoonist, Hanel, emphasises the difficulties involved in the negotiations with Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden for their accession to the EU.
On 28 February 1994, commenting on the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union, the French daily newspaper Libération identifies the difficulties which are hindering the accession negotiations being conducted between the Twelve and Austria, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
On 22 June 1989, the French daily newspaper Le Monde refers to the economic and geopolitical difficulties posed by Austria’s application for accession to the European Communities.
