Austriacka droga do Unii Europejskiej
THE AUSTRIAN WAY TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

Summary/Abstract: After the First World War the Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken up. Austria, with most of the German-speaking parts, became a republic. It was officially known as the Republic of German Austria. Not only did the Entente powers forbid German Austria to unite with Germany, they also forbade the name; it was therefore changed to the Republic of Austria. 1938 Hitler proclaimed an incorporation of Austria to the Third Reich. Austria thus ceased to exist as an independent state. After the Second World War Austria was divided into a British, a French, a Soviet and an American Zone. On 15 May 1955 Austria regained full independence by concluding the Austrian State Treaty with the Four Occupying Powers. On 26 October 1955 Austria was declared „permanently neutral” by act of Parliament. The second section of this law stated that „in all future times Austria will not join any military alliances and will not permit the establishment of any foreign military bases on her territory”. Austria is active in the United Nations and experienced in UN peacekeeping efforts. Austria has played an active role in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) too. Vienna hosts the Secretariat of the OSCE and the headquarters of the United Nations. Austria traditionally has been active in „bridge-building to the east”, increasing contacts at all levels with Eastern Europe and the states of the former Soviet Union. Austria became a member of the European Union in 1995. In February 2000 the conservative People’s Party formed a coalition with the Freedom Party. The 14 other member states of the European Union condemned Austria’s new coalition and froze diplomatic contacts. Austria has benefited from EU accession. Current figures confirm the fact that Austria is above the EU average when it comes to economic growth, unemployment, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and employment levels.

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