Events leading up to the fourth enlargement of the European Union
Events leading up to the fourth enlargement of the European Union
Austria's 1989 application for accession
Cartoon by Ironimus on Austria’s accession to the European Communities (1989)
Image‘The EC marathon.’ In 1989, the Austrian cartoonist, Ironimus, portrays Austria’s possible accession to the European Communities as an obstacle course.
Position of the Federation of Austrian Industrialists on European integration (Vienna, 1987)
TextIn 1987, the Federation of Austrian Industrialists (VÖI) publishes a pamphlet in which it calls for Austria’s accession to the European Communities.
Posters published by the Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ) opposing Austria’s accession to the European Communities (1989)
TextIn 1989, the Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ) expresses its opposition to Austria’s accession to the European Communities.
‘Application for accession to the EEC: two steps forward, one step back …’ from Le Monde (22 June 1989)
TextOn 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.
Statement by Alois Mock on relations between Austria and the European Communities (29 June 1989)
TextOn 29 June 1989, Alois Mock, Austrian Foreign Minister, outlines to the Members of the National Council the advantages for Austria of full accession to the European Communities.
Resolution of the National Council on relations between Austria and the European Communities (Vienna, 29 June 1989)
TextOn 29 June 1989, the Austrian National Council adopts a resolution which establishes a clear framework for the negotiations for Austria’s accession to the European Communities.
Austria's application for accession to the EEC (14 July 1989)
TextOn 14 July 1989, Alois Mock, Austrian Foreign Minister, sends a letter to Roland Dumas, French Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities, in which Austria officially submits its application for accession to the European Communities.
Alois Mock submits Austria’s application for accession (17 July 1989)
ImageOn 17 July 1989, in Brussels, Alois Mock, Austrian Foreign Minister, presents Austria’s official application for accession to the European Communities to Roland Dumas, French Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities.
Cartoon by Behrendt on Austria’s application for accession to the European Communities (15 July 1989)
Image‘Everyone is heading for Brussels.' On 15 July 1989, the day after the submission of Austria's application for accession to the European Communities, the cartoonist, Fritz Behrendt, illustrates the snowball effect of Austria's application for accession on all the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs).
Memorandum from the Austrian Mission to the European Communities (16 February 1990)
TextOn 16 February 1990, the Austrian Mission to the European Communities draws up a memorandum in which it places particular emphasis on Austria’s commitment to the ideals of European integration.
Lecture given by Manfred Scheich on Austria’s strong attachment to Europe (10 May 1990)
TextOn 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.
Address given by Karel Smolle on Austria’s foreign policy with regard to Europe (4 July 1990)
TextOn 4 July 1990, during debates held in the National Council, Karel Smolle, Member of the Austrian Green Alternative Party, criticises the government's European policy for focusing on Austria's accession to the European Communities.
Statement by Alois Mock to the National Council (Vienna, 28 May 1991)
TextOn 28 May 1991, in Vienna, Alois Mock, Austrian Foreign Minister, delivers an address to the National Council in which he argues in favour of Austria’s accession to the European Communities.
Commission opinion on Austria's application for membership (31 July 1991)
TextOn 31 July 1991, the European Commission issues a detailed and favourable opinion on Austria’s application for accession to the European Communities on the basis, in particular, of an assessment of the country’s economic situation.
Press conference held by Frans Andriessen on the Commission opinion on Austria’s application for accession (Brussels, 31 July 1991)
VideoOn 31 July 1991, in Brussels, Frans Andriessen, Vice-President of the Commission of the European Communities with special responsibility for External Relations and Commercial Policy and Cooperation with other European Countries, comments on the opinion delivered by the European Commission on Austria’s application for accession to the Communities.
‘The long road to Brussels’ from Die Presse (2 August 1991)
TextOn 2 August 1991, commenting on the European Commission’s approval of Austria’s application for accession to the European Communities, the Vienna daily newspaper Die Presse outlines the implications of European integration for Austria.
Demonstration against Austria’s accession to the EU (1 May 1992)
ImageOn 1 May 1992, people opposed to Austria’s accession to the European Union demonstrate in the streets of Vienna.
Aide-mémoire from the Austrian Government (June 1992)
TextIn June 1992, the Austrian Government sends an aide-mémoire to the Twelve in which it reaffirms Austria’s commitment to Europe.
Statement by Franz Vranitzky to the National Council (Vienna, 14 December 1992)
TextOn 14 December 1992, the Austrian Federal Chancellor, Franz Vranitzky, delivers an address to the National Council in Vienna in which he welcomes the decisions taken by the Twelve at the Edinburgh European Council with particular regard to the opening of negotiations for Austria's accession to the European Communities.
Sweden's 1967 application for accession
Sweden's application for accession to the EEC (Stockholm, 26 July 1967)
TextOn 26 July 1967, Gunnar Lange, Swedish Trade Minister, forwards to the President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities a letter in which his government requests the opening of accession negotiations with Sweden.
Memorandum annexed to the application for accession submitted by Sweden (28 July 1967)
TextOn 26 July 1967, Sweden submits its application for accession to the European Economic Community (EEC). This is accompanied by a memorandum, dated 28 July, in which the Swedish Government states that its policy of neutrality must be acknowledged in the negotiations and that the negotiations must be aligned as closely as possible with those conducted with other Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Statement by Kjell-Olof Feldt on the relationship between Sweden and the European Communities (Brussels, 10 November 1970)
TextOn 10 November 1970, Kjell-Olof Feldt, Swedish Trade Minister, sets out Sweden’s position with regard to European integration and considers its relationship with the European Communities.
‘Sweden or the contradictions of neutrality’ from L’Europe en formation (January 1971)
TextIn January 1971, Jean-Pierre Gouzy, former member of the Executive Board of the French Movement for the United States of Europe and of the French Union of Federalists, paints an economic, political and social picture of Sweden and gives his views on the country’s new relationship with the European Communities.
Memorandum from the Swedish Government relating to a possible cooperation agreement with the EC (18 March 1971)
TextOn 18 March 1971, the Swedish Government draws up a memorandum on questions relating to a possible cooperation agreement between Sweden and the European Communities.
Sweden's 1967 application for accession
Press release from the Swedish Ministry of Trade (18 June 1971)
TextOn 18 June 1971, Kjell-Olof Feldt, Swedish Minister for Trade, issues a press release giving an account of the work that has been carried out by the Swedish Government and the Commission of the European Communities on their form of economic cooperation.
Internal note from the Commission relating to the negotiations on enlargement (Brussels, 29 September 1971)
TextOn 29 September 1971, Paolo Cecchini, Head of the Task Force of the Commission of the European Communities for the enlargement of the Communities and chief negotiator for the trade agreements with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), sends a note to Edmond Wellenstein, Head of the Delegation from the Commission of the European Communities to the negotiations on the enlargement of the Communities, in which he outlines the respective positions of Sweden and the Commission with regard to the country’s possible accession to the European Communities.
Memorandum from the Swedish Government on the economic cooperation with the EC (Brussels, 6 September 1971)
TextOn 6 September 1971, the Swedish Government sends a memorandum to the Commission of the European Communities in which it outlines the aspects relating to trade and the institutions which need to be clarified on both sides with a view to better economic cooperation between Sweden and the European Communities, while taking into account the country's neutral status.
Report of the interviews between Franco Maria Malfatti and the Swedish Government (Brussels, 8 November 1971)
TextOn 11 November 1971, in Stockholm, the Swedish Prime Minister, Olof Palme, and some Members of the Swedish Government welcome Franco Maria Malfatti, President of the Commission of the European Communities, accompanied by a Commission Delegation for an exchange of views on the terms for Sweden's possible accession to the European Communities.
Memorandum from the Commission on the accession of Sweden (Brussels, 3 November 1971)
TextOn 3 November 1971, the Delegation from the Commission to the negotiations on enlargement sets down information to be used in responses to general questions likely to be put to Franco Maria Malfatti, President of the Commission of the European Communities, during his forthcoming official visit to Sweden.
Comments by Kjell-Olof Feldt on European integration (Stockholm, November 1971)
TextIn November 1971, in a report entitled Sweden and European integration, Kjell-Olof Feldt, Swedish Trade Minister, outlines the nature of the economic cooperation with the European Communities envisaged by Sweden, given its neutral status.
Comments by Krister Wickman on Sweden’s policy of neutrality (Stockholm, November 1971)
TextIn November 1971, Krister Wickman, Swedish Foreign Minister, outlines the philosophy which underpins Sweden’s policy of neutrality.
‘The negotiations should lead to strong and lasting cooperation’ from Le Monde Diplomatique (November 1971)
TextIn November 1971, in an article published in the French monthly newspaper Le Monde Diplomatique, Kjell-Olof Feldt, Swedish Trade Minister, analyses the nature of relations between Sweden and the European Communities and, given the country’s neutral status, speculates on possible intermediate solutions which would ensure that Sweden participates in the European integration process.
Address given by Krister Wickman at the signing of the agreement between Sweden and the EEC (Brussels, 22 July 1972)
TextOn 22 July 1972, the Swedish Foreign Minister, Krister Wickman, welcomes the signing of the agreement between Sweden and the European Economic Community (EEC) which establishes a basis for closer economic relations.
Sweden's 1991 application for accession
Address given by Anita Gradin on Sweden’s European policy (11 December 1990)
TextOn 11 December 1990, during a parliamentary debate, Anita Gradin, Swedish Minister for Foreign Trade, gives a detailed description of the government’s European policy and the issues surrounding accession to the European Communities.
Interview given by Roland Dumas to Swedish television (14 June 1991)
TextOn 14 June 1991, during an interview given to Swedish television, Roland Dumas, French Foreign Minister, comments on Sweden’s application for accession to the European Communities.
‘Sweden announces its application for accession to the EEC’ from Le Monde (17 June 1991)
TextOn 17 June 1991, the French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the decision taken by Ingvar Carlsson, Social Democrat Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, to submit an official application for his country’s accession to the European Communities.
Sweden's application for accession to the EEC (1 July 1991)
TextOn 1 July 1991, Ingvar Carlsson, Swedish Prime Minister, sends a letter to Hans van den Broek, Netherlands Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities, in which Sweden officially submits its application for accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
Submission of Sweden's application for accession (Den Haag, 1 July 1991)
ImageOn 1 July 1991, in The Hague, under the benevolent eye of the Netherlands Prime Minister, Ruud Lubbers, the Swedish Prime Minister, Ingvar Carlsson (on the right), submits Sweden's application for accession to the EEC to Hans van den Broek (on the left), Netherlands Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities.
Submission of Sweden’s application for accession (The Hague, 1 July 1991)
VideoOn 1 July 1991 in The Hague, Ingvar Carlsson, Swedish Prime Minister, submits Sweden’s application for accession to the EEC to Hans van den Broek, Dutch Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities.
Commission opinion on Sweden's application for membership (31 July 1992)
TextOn 31 July 1992, the Commission of the European Communities delivers a favourable opinion on the application made by Sweden for accession to the European Union and gives a detailed account of the Swedish economic structure.
Press conference held by Frans Andriessen on Sweden’s application for accession (Brussels, 31 July 1992)
VideoOn 31 July 1992, at a press conference in Brussels, Frans Andriessen, Vice-President of the Commission of the European Communities with special responsibility for External Relations and Commercial Policy and Cooperation with other European Countries, sets out the favourable opinion delivered by the Commission on Sweden’s application for accession to the Communities.
Interview with Margaretha af Ugglas published in La Libre Belgique (9 March 1992)
TextOn 9 March 1992, in an interview with the conservative daily newspaper La Libre Belgique, Margaretha af Ugglas, Swedish Foreign Minister, reports on her country's application for accession to the European Union.
‘Sweden’s accession to the European Community is necessary for industry’ from the Revue du Marché Commun et de l’Union Européenne (June 1992)
TextIn June 1992, in an article for the monthly legal journal Revue du Marché Commun et de l'Union Européenne, Magnus Lemmel, Director General of the Federation of Swedish Industries, considers the economic consequences of Sweden's possible accession to the European Union.
‘Sweden and the European Communities’ from the Revue du Marché Commun et de l’Union Européenne (June 1992)
TextIn June 1992, in an article for the monthly legal journal Revue du Marché Commun et de l’Union Européenne, Ulf Dinkelspiel, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, outlines the importance of European integration for his country.
"Carl Bildt: Security policy a self-evident part of EC cooperation" from Svenska Dagbladet (9 August 1992)
TextOn 9 August 1992, in an article in the daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet, Carl Bildt, Swedish Prime Minister, explains that the recent geopolitical changes in Europe require that Sweden change the course of its security policy in the framework of the European Union.
Address given by Carl Bildt on Sweden’s European policy (Bonn, 13 November 1991)
TextOn 13 November 1991, Carl Bildt, Swedish Prime Minister, outlines the reasons why Sweden had previously opted to remain outside the European Communities. He goes on to explain why, given the new geopolitical order in Europe, these reasons are no longer valid in the early 1990s, and he defends the country’s decision to apply for accession to the Communities.
Finland's 1992 application for accession
Kalevi Sorsa, Finland — a European country (1988)
TextIn an article published in 1988 in the Austrian magazine Europäische Rundschau, Kalevi Sorsa, Finnish Foreign Minister, emphasises his country’s role in Europe and states that the concept of Europe does not boil down to the European Communities alone.
'No more taboos in Helsinki' from Le Monde (11 February 1992)
TextOn 11 February 1992, the French daily newspaper Le Monde considers the changes in relations between Russia and Finland during the 20th century and outlines the debate over the possible application for Finnish accession to the European Communities.
Finland's application for accession to the EEC (18 March 1992)
TextOn 18 March 1992, Mauno Koivisto, President of the Republic of Finland, and Esko Aho, Finnish Prime Minister, send a letter to João de Deus Pinheiro, Portuguese Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities, in which Finland officially submits its application for accession to the European Economic Community (EEC).
Finland's 1992 application for accession
'A bold dash to Brussels' from the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (20 March 1992)
TextOn 20 March 1992, the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung comments on Finland's application to join the European Union and describes the attitude of the Finnish political class towards Community structures.
‘Finland’s application for accession to the European Community’ from the Revue du Marché Commun et de l’Union Européenne (June 1992)
TextIn June 1992, Pertti Salolainen, Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade, outlines in the monthly legal journal Revue du Marché Commun et de l’Union Européenne the economic implications of Finland’s accession to the European Communities.
‘The challenge facing Finland' from Le Figaro (30 July 1992)
TextOn 30 July 1992, with a view to Finland’s forthcoming accession to the European Communities, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro profiles the country’s economic situation.
Commission opinion on Finland's application for membership (4 November 1992)
TextOn 4 November 1992, the European Commission delivers a reasoned opinion on Finland's application for accession to the European Communities, basing its analysis, in particular, on areas which are central to the accession negotiations including the policy of neutrality, Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), agriculture, regional policies and foreign and security policy.
Press conference held by Frans Andriessen on Finland’s application for accession (Brussels, 4 November 1992)
VideoOn 4 November 1992, at a press conference in Brussels, Frans Andriessen, Vice-President of the Commission of the European Communities with special responsibility for External Relations and Commercial Policy and Cooperation with other European Countries, sets out the favourable opinion delivered by the Commission on Finland’s application for accession to the Communities.
Special meeting of the European Commission: Finland’s application for accession (Brussels, 5 November 1992)
ImageOn 5 November 1992, the European Commission (EC) meets in Brussels to discuss the question of Finland’s accession to the European Union. From left to right: Henning Christophers, Vice-President of the EC, Commissioner for the Budget and Administrative Affairs, Jacques Delors, President of the EC, and David Williamson, Secretary-General of the EC.
Switzerland's 1992 application for accession
Switzerland’s application for accession to the EEC (20 May 1992)
TextOn 20 May 1992, René Felber and François Couchepin, respectively President and Chancellor of the Swiss Confederation, send to João de Deus Pinheiro, Portuguese Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities, a letter in which they officially submit Switzerland’s application for accession to the EEC.
Norway's 1992 application for accession
‘Norway remains strongly determined to join the European Community’ from Le Monde (11 September 1992)
TextOn 11 September 1992, commenting on Norway’s possible application for accession to the European Communities, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the country’s attitude towards European integration.
Norway's application for accession to the European Communities (24 November 1992)
TextOn 24 November 1992, Gro Harlem Brundtland, Norwegian Prime Minister, sends a letter to Douglas Hurd, British Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities, in which Norway officially submits its application for accession to the European Communities.
Commission opinion on Norway's application for membership (1993)
TextIn 1993, the European Commission delivers a favourable opinion on the application made by Norway for accession to the European Union and analyses the state of the Norwegian economy in terms of the challenge posed by enlargement.
Press briefing by Alain Lamassoure on the political agreement with Norway (Brussels, 15 March 1994)
TextOn 15 March 1994, Alain Lamassoure, French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, draws up an initial progress report on the negotiations for Norway’s accession to the European Union.
Report by the European Parliament on Norway's application for membership (26 April 1994)
TextOn 26 April 1994, the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security publishes a report on Norway’s application for accession to the European Union.