In 1945, Leopold Figl, Chancellor of the Austrian Republic and leader of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), outlines his ideas on Austria’s position in post-war Europe and emphasises his country’s European credentials.

On 10 May 1990, in Paris, Manfred Scheich, Director-General for Economic Affairs at the Austrian Foreign Ministry, gives a lecture at the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI) in which he lays particular emphasis on Austria’s strong attachment to Western Europe.

On 2 July 1948, in Vienna, Adolf Schärf, Austrian Vice-Chancellor, Karl Gruber, Austrian Foreign Minister, and John George Erhardt, US Ambassador to Austria, sign an agreement regarding economic cooperation between Austria and the United States under the Marshall Plan.

In 1994, the Austrian Chambers of Commerce publish a series of posters illustrating the advantages of Austria’s accession to the European Union and provide a hotline for answers to questions about the European Union and how it works.

On 26 October 1955, the Austrian National Council passes the Constitutional Law which lays down Austria’s permanent neutral status.

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

The fourth enlargement of the EU in 1995 saw the accession of Finland, Sweden and Austria. Their entry significantly expanded EU territory and introduced a new type of large, sparsely populated region. In particular, the northernmost parts of Finland and Sweden, characterised by their harsh climate, low population density, peripheral location, long distances between communities and small local markets, were very different from other EU regions. The negotiations for the fourth enlargement occurred while the regional policy was undergoing a new reform. The new regulatory framework also took into consideration regional issues raised by the entry of Austria, Finland and Sweden and incorporated three concessions: part of Austria (the Burgenland region) gained Objective 1 status; a new Objective 6 was created for peripheral Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Finland and Sweden; and EU competition policy rules were adapted to accommodate the subsidy practices of the Nordic states.

On 8 May 1956, at the end of the Geneva Tariff Conference, Austria and the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) sign two agreements: a protocol on an anti-dumping clause on trade in steel outside the framework of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and a tariff agreement on the reduction of customs duties under the GATT.

Poster published in 1949 in order to outline and promote the benefits of the aid provided by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) in Austria.

Poster published in 1949 in Austria to illustrate the benefits of US food aid.