In 1996, in a series of posters, as the Austrian legislative elections are held, the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) considers the negative consequences of the country’s accession to the European Union.
Diagram showing the opinion of the Austrian people in 2004 on the aspects which they consider to have improved or deteriorated since their country’s accession to the European Union in 1995.
Series of graphs showing Austrian public opinion with regard to the European Union in 2005 and the changes in public opinion since Austria’s accession in 1995.
On 25 October 2002, traffic on the Inntal motorway is held up by Austrian demonstrators opposed to European Union policy on the transit of goods by road.
On 24 September 2003, Karl Öllinger, Eva Glawischnig and Michaela Sburny (from left to right), members of the Austrian Green Alternative political party, protest in the National Council against European policy on the transit of goods by road.
In 2004, Christoph Leitl, President of the Federal Chamber of Commerce, emphasises the importance of Austria’s accession to the European Union (EU) for the country’s economy and assesses the first 10 years of Austria’s membership of the EU.
In 2004, Herbert Tumpel, President of the Austrian Chamber of Labour, deplores the pursuit of a restrictive economic policy and tax competition which, in his opinion, precludes the establishment of a Social Europe that is capable of reducing the high level of unemployment in the European Union.
In 2004, Fritz Verzetnitsch, President of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB), outlines the position of the ÖGB during Austria’s negotiations on accession to the European Union and discusses the socio-political changes in the EU, the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and the enlargement of the EU.
In 2004, Rudolf Schwarzböck, President of the Conference of the Presidents of the Austrian Chambers of Agriculture, emphasises the changes in the agricultural sector over the past 10 years resulting from Austria’s accession to the European Union.
The first Austrian Presidency of the Council (1 July – 31 December 1998)
On the eve of the first Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Wolfgang Schüssel, Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister, emphasises the major challenges of the Presidency, namely the introduction of the single currency, the creation of jobs, the strengthening of internal security, environmental protection and the enlargement of the European Union.
‘EU Presidency: A President en route.’ On 30 June 1998, the Austrian cartoonist, Ironimus, portrays the challenges awaiting Wolfgang Schüssel, Federal Vice-Chancellor and Austrian Foreign Minister, during the first Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 1998.
On 11 and 12 December 1998, the Vienna European Council signals its agreement for a strategy on the future development of the European Union to be known as the ‘Vienna Strategy for Europe’ and looks, in particular, at questions concerning employment and growth, the preparations for the implementation of the Amsterdam Treaty and justice and home affairs (JHA).
At the Vienna European Council held on 11 and 12 December 1998, in the presence of the Foreign Ministers of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs) and Cyprus, the Heads of State or Government of the Fifteen adopt an action plan which lays down the measures to be taken after the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam in order to establish a European area of freedom, security and justice.
In this interview, Manfred Scheich, Austrian Permanent Representative to the European Union from 1995 to 1999, discusses the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 1998 and assesses its achievements.
On 19 November 1997, during a special sitting of the Austrian Parliament on the euro, Jörg Haider, MP and Leader of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), speaks out against the dangers of the single European currency.
In August 1997, this Viennese sausage-stand owner uses a dual display system for prices in euros and in schillings in order to prepare his customers for the introduction of the future single European currency, the euro.
On 11 December 2001, the Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel (left), and Klaus Liebscher (right), Governor of the Austrian National Bank, hold a press conference in Vienna in which they present Austria’s ‘Euro Cash-Box’.
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 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 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 4 February 2000, reacting to the participation of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) in the government, Commissioner Franz Fischler condemns the diplomatic measures imposed against his country by its 14 partners and appeals for the new coalition government to be judged by its actions.
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.
‘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.
The measures imposed on the Austrian Government (2000)
On 20 February 2000, in an editorial for the French daily newspaper Le Monde, Jean-Marie Colombani justifies the diplomatic measures imposed by 14 Member States of the European Union against Austria in order to stigmatise its 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.
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.
‘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.
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 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, Vice-Chancellor Susanne Riess-Passer (FPÖ) discusses the diplomatic sanctions and criticises the attitude of the European partners and opposition parties.
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).
In this interview, Manfred Scheich, Austrian Permanent Representative to the European Union from 1995 to 1999, discusses the nature and impact of the sanctions imposed by the 14 other Member States of the European Union on Austria as a result of the formation of a government coalition between the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) in February 2000.
Austria and the fifth enlargement of the European Union
In his memoirs, Franz Vranitzky, former Austrian Chancellor, recalls the relationship between Austria and some of the countries applying for accession to the European Union during the period in which negotiations were held with a view to the enlargement of 1 May 2004.
In 1997, in an article for the Europäische Rundschau, Erhard Busek, former Austrian Vice-Chancellor and President of the Vienna Institut für den Donauraum und Mitteleuropa (Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe), outlines the reactions in Austria to the political and economic changes taking place in Eastern Europe and emphasises the country’s historical responsibilities in the light of this new geopolitical situation.
In 2004, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, former Austrian Foreign Minister and subsequently European Commissioner with special responsibility for External Relations and the European neighbourhood policy, analyses the principle of the regional partnership set up in 2001 by Austria with Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia, emphasising its importance in connection with the enlargement of the European Union to include the countries of Eastern Europe.
In 2004, the Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel, considers the implications of the enlargement of the European Union and emphasises that Austria is ready to seize the opportunities afforded by the accession of 10 new Member States.
Austria and the security structures of the European Union
On 30 April 1996, at an international conference held in Paris by the Institut des relations internationales et stratégiques (Institute for International and Strategic Relations — IRIS) and the Centre de réflexion et d’études sur les problèmes internationaux (Centre for Research into International Problems — CRESPI), Thomas Mayr-Harting, Deputy Political Director at the Austrian Foreign Ministry, outlines the implications of European security policy on Austria’s neutral status.
On 30 April 1996, at an international conference held in Paris by the Institut des relations internationales et stratégiques (Institute for International and Strategic Relations — IRIS) and the Centre de réflexion et d’études sur les problèmes internationaux (Centre for Research into International Problems — CRESPI), Wolfgang Plasche, Head of Division and Director for External Relations at the Austrian Ministry of Defence, outlines the way in which Austria intends to contribute to the internal and external military security of the European Union.
In 2004, Franz Fischler, European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, assesses the first 10 years of Austria’s membership of the European Union.
In 2004, Ursula Plassnik, Austrian Foreign Minister, emphasises in the Austrian Political Yearbook the role played by her country, initially within the European Convention and subsequently at the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), in the drafting of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe.
The second Austrian Presidency of the Council (1 January - 30 June 2006)
On 19 December 2005, in Brussels, Ursula Plassnik, Austrian Foreign Minister, presents the programme for the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2006.
On 29 December 2005, the Vienna daily newspaper Der Standard speculates on whether the incoming Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2006 will be able to alleviate Euroscepticism among Europeans, and among Austrians in particular, in spite of the Union’s current crisis.
On 29 December 2005, on the eve of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Ursula Plassnik, Austrian Foreign Minister, gives an interview to the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in which she comments on the current situation of the European Union and outlines the challenges facing the Austrian Presidency.
On 29 December 2005, a few days before the beginning of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung outlines the priorities of the Austrian Presidency over the coming months.
On 31 December 2005, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro reports on the challenges facing the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), especially the two major issues on the agenda, namely the future of the European Constitution following its rejection by the French and the Dutch, and the question of the enlargement of the EU and the borders of Europe.
On 31 December 2005, on the eve of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel sets out his vision of Europe and the priorities of the Presidency in the German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.
On 1 January 2006, reporting on the start of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the German weekly newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung analyses the political situation of the Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel, and comments on the way in which Austrians view the European Union.
The second Austrian Presidency of the Council (1 January - 30 June 2006)
On 9 January 2006, at a press conference held in Vienna after a working meeting between the Austrian Government and the European Commission, Wolfgang Schüssel, Austrian Chancellor and President-in-Office of the European Council, outlines the main points of the Austrian Presidency's programme for the first half of 2006, with particular regard to employment, training and debates on the future of Europe and to the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe.
On 9 January 2006, at a press conference held in Vienna after a working meeting between the Austrian Government and the European Commission, Wolfgang Schüssel, Austrian Chancellor and President-in-Office of the European Council, discusses the fate of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and emphasises the need for further debate on the future of the European Union.
On 18 January 2006, the Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel presents to the European Parliament the programme of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2006.
On 18 January 2006, in Strasbourg, the Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel, presents to the European Parliament the programme for the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2006.
On 18 January 2006, the Europe Daily Bulletin, published in Brussels by Agence Europe, comments on the presentation of the programme of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union to the European Parliament by the Austrian Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel.
On 18 January 2006, the Vienna daily newspaper Der Standard criticises Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel’s excessively cautious presentation of the programme of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union to the European Parliament.
At the European Council held on 15 and 16 June 2006, the Heads of State or Government of the European Union decide to extend the period of reflection on the future Constitutional Treaty. The aim is to arrive at a final decision on the institutional future of the Union during the second half of 2008.
Austrians at work in the institutions of 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.
Franz Fischler, European Commissioner with special responsibility for Agriculture in the Santer Commission from 1995 to 1999, recalls the circumstances which led him to accept this post, despite his strong initial resistance.
In 2000, Franz Fischler, Austrian Member of the European Commission with special responsibility for Agriculture, draws up a list of the good and bad qualities of the Austrian EU officials, comparing them to the officials from other Member States of the European Union.