On 1 January 1995 Austria became a Member State of the European Union. This act marked the completion of the process of Austria’s integration efforts which had started long before the submission of Austria’s application for EC membership by then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alois Mock, on 17 July 1989.
Austria was one of the founding members of the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), established by the Stockholm Convention which entered into force on 3 May 1960. The first closer economic ties to the states forming the European Economic Community (EEC) were established in 1973 when the free trade area between Austria and the EEC was set up. Although this bridge between the members of EFTA and the members of the EU proved successful because the EFTA states’ export business was granted largely unhindered access to the EC area in the industrial sector, it did not offer any perspective for more comprehensive relations.
In 1989 the plan for the establishment of a European Economic Area presented by then President of the Commission, Jacques Delors provided for a close association between EFTA and the EEC. By the time the treaty establishing the European Economic Area was signed in Porto on 2 May 1992, Austria had already set itself the integration goal of full membership in the European Communities. Those gradually realised the Single European Market with its completely free movement of people, goods, services and capital (1993). The Treaty on the European Union, the “Treaty of Maastricht” is in force since November 1993 and the basis on that Austria joined the EU in 1995. Ever since some 75,000 additional jobs have been created in which the country, exports have more than doubled and foreign investments have increased.
In 2002 the Euro-currency was introduced in 12 European countries as their common cash currency. The former Austrian currency “Schilling” was exchanged by 13.76030 Schillings to 1 Euro.
On 26 March 1995 the “Schengen Convention” came into force and Austria signed the agreement on 28 April 1995. Ten years later, Austria and six other members signed the “Schengen III Agreement” on closer police cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organised crime.
On 1 May 2004 a new dimension was opened up when the EU enlargement to the east came into force. As a result Austria is now surrounded by six EU member States and can be considered as the centre of the reunited Europe. This geopolitical situation makes Austria one of the most ardent supporters of the legitimate accession prospects and ambitious integration strategies for the countries of western Balkan or south-eastern Europe, like Croatia and Turkey.
According to this circumstance the Schengen border is moving eastwards. Austrians neighbouring countries Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia joined the “Schengen Convention” on December 21, 2007.
A further milestone for the EU and Austria was the signing of the agreement on the European Constitution on 29 October 2004 by the 25 heads of government and foreign ministers of the EU. Originally, the Constitution provided for common and equal fundamental rights for all the 500 million citizens of the EU. Since the ratification process by the national parliaments or by referendum has been stopped, Austria (that already ratified the original text) is arguing in favour of “an active phase of reflection” and against a complete halt to the ratification process.
Austrians in EU institutions
To date, Austria has twice held the presidency of the EU, in 1998 and during the first six month of 2006.
Since the election of 13 June 2004 Austria has had 18 representatives at the EU parliament and 10 of the 345 votes on the council.
The EU Commissioner for External Relations and the European Neighbourhood Policy is currently Austria’s former Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner. She is in charge of representing the EU towards third countries, fostering cooperation and promoting dialogue with the partners of the EU. Furthermore she tries to build a particularly strong partnership between the enlarged EU and the states to the east and on the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean.
Moreover, numerous other Austrians work at EU institutions, e.g. in the Council Secretariat, at the European Court of Auditors and the European Court of Justice, where Austria is also entitled to a set number of Judges.
When it comes to formulating its EU policy on a national basis, Austria attaches particular importance to involving the federal provinces and the active contribution of the democratically legitimised representatives of the people.
In 1989 the plan for the establishment of a European Economic Area presented by then President of the Commission, Jacques
National Cooperation between Government, Parliament and Federal Provinces
When formulating its EU policy Austria attaches particular importance to involving the federal provinces and the active contribution of the democratically legitimised representatives of the people.
The cooperation between government, parliament and federal provinces in matters relating to European integration is based on the National and Federal Councils’ rights to participate – i.e. the right to be informed about plans with regard to the EU and the right to give an opinion on them as provided for under Art. 23e of the Federal Constitutional Law.
If the Main Committee of the National Council or the Standing Sub-Committee on matters relating to the EU resolves to give an opinion or make a statement on an EU-related matter, which would have to be regulated by a federal law, or geared towards the passing of an immediately applicable EU legal act relating to matters to be regulated by a federal law, the competent member of the Federal Government is bound by this opinion and can only deviate from it for compelling foreign or integration policy reasons. If this member of the government intends to deviate from such an opinion, the matter must again be submitted to the National Council. A deviation is not permissible under any circumstances if the legal act of the European Union which is in the process of being prepared would represent a deviation from the applicable Austrian Federal Constitutional Law.
Link: Delegation of the European Union in the United States
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