30 years of EU membership: Austria celebrates with light and history!

30 years of EU membership: Austria celebrates with light and history!

January 1, 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of Austria's accession to the European Union (EU). The official celebrations for this historic event begin with special lighting in the Federal Chancellery, which shows the inscription “30 years of Austria in the EU”. The path to the EU began with an application from the then Foreign Minister Alois Mock, which was addressed to the European Community (EC) on July 17, 1989. A striking moment that marked the beginning of a process that would concretize the country's European future, like that Federal Chancellery reported.

Historical steps to accession

Austria's EU membership was the result of intensive negotiations and significant political support. On February 1, 1993, the country officially began accession negotiations, which ultimately led to a positive conclusion on April 12, 1994. On June 12, 1994, over 66 percent of the Austrian population voted in a referendum to join the EU. On January 1, 1995, the Accession Treaty came into force, whereby Austria joined the community together with Sweden and Finland exxpress.at describes.

Despite the broad support, there was also resistance within the political landscape. The FPÖ under Jörg Haider opposed accession, fearing increasing bureaucracy and a central control system from Brussels. Nevertheless, approval prevails, and the 30th anniversary celebrations reflect the importance of this historic decision for Austria's future in the EU.