A3-0299/94

Resolution on Austria's request for accession to the European Union

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the motion for a resolution by Mr Barón Crespo and others on the accession negotiations with Austria (B3-1135/93),

-having regard to the application to join the Community submitted by the Republic of Austria on 17 July 1989 and to the Commission opinion of 31 July 1991,

-having regard to the report presented on 9 March 1994 by the Secretary-General of the Council under the authority of the President-in-Office of the Council, on the outcome of the accession negotiations with Austria, Sweden, Finland and Norway,

-having regard to its resolutions of 10 February 1993 on Community enlargement, 15 July 1993 on enlargement, 17 November 1993 on the negotiations concerning enlargement of the Union to include Austria, Sweden, Finland and Norway, 15 December 1993 on the conclusions of the Brussels European Council of 10 and 11 December 1993 and 9 February 1994 on the state of enlargement negotiations with Austria, Sweden, Finland and Norway,

-having regard to the resolution of the Joint Committee of the European Parliament and the National Council of the Republic of Austria of 22 March 1994,

-having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

-having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Security and the opinions of the committees concerned (A3-0299/94),

A.whereas the entry into force of the Treaty on European Union, the events which have occurred in Europe since 1989 and the present state of the process of European integration have given the accession negotiations a new and decisive dimension,

B.whereas throughout the negotiations Austria has, through the political statements of its principal leaders, demonstrated a firm pro-European conviction and a wish to become more deeply involved in achieving greater solidarity, democracy, efficiency and integration in the European Union, and whereas in particular by virtue of its history and culture, Austria is an indivisible part of Europe,

C.whereas Austria will bring to the Union a sound economy, special relations with Eastern Europe and high standards of social and environmental protection,

D.having regard to the successful conclusion of the negotiations which, having resolved difficult and vital issues, have resulted in equitable agreements acceptable to both parties without establishing permanent derogations from the acquis communautaire,

E.having particular regard to the full acceptance by the Republic of Austria of the objectives and obligations deriving from Title V of the Treaty on European Union, and its undertaking to make its legal order compatible with that of the Community with effect from the date of its accession,

F.whereas the conditions governing the transit of transport through Austria are a substantial element in its accession conditions,

G.whereas the Council has still not resolved the institutional problems raised by enlargement of the Union and has still not given any guarantee to Parliament in this respect, despite the many requests Parliament has made for more than a year,

1.Welcomes the outcome of the negotiations between the Member States and the Republic of Austria insofar as it not only respects the acquis communautaire but also takes account of the specific interests of the negotiating parties by means of temporary derogations;

2.Again expresses its hope that the conclusion of the negotiations and the required parliamentary procedures and the referendum in Austria will allow Austria to accede to the Union on 1 January 1995;

3.Considers that Austria's full membership of the Union is of great historical significance and expresses a very warm appreciation of the effort and political will shown by Austria in seeking to achieve an agreement;

4.Points out that trade relations between the EU and Austria, which is already largely integrated into the economic system of the EU by the free trade agreement of 1973 and the Treaty establishing the European Economic Area, will not undergo dramatic changes when Austria joins the Union as a full member and external trade is converted into internal trade;

5.Expects, nevertheless, significant simplifications of economic relations as a result of the full integration of the Austrian economy into the single market, which will be mutually beneficial;

6.Stresses the fact that by accepting the 'acquis communautaire' Austria has to take over every trade and cooperation agreement or arrangement between the EU and third countries and to cancel its own trade agreements with third countries insofar as they are not compatible with those of the EU;

7.Points out that Austria will have to participate as a full member in both the Common Commercial Policy and its protective measures, for instance anti-dumping policies;

8.Believes that, with the accession of Austria to the EU, bilateral problems over structural subsidies provided by Austria to foreign direct investments will be resolved, as Austria will have to participate in the Common Competition Policy and respect the Union's subsidy code;

9.Emphasizes the vital importance of Austria's acceptance, without reservations, of the provisions of the Treaty on European Union relating to the common foreign and security policy and its undertaking to take an active part in that policy with effect from the date of its accession;

10.Stresses the importance of the Austrian Government and political parties making clear to the Austrian electorate the significance of Austria's commitment to take part in formulating and supporting the common foreign and security policy of the European Union;

11.Welcomes the success achieved on such difficult issues as transit across the Alps and second homes by means of equitable solutions which safeguard beyond any reasonable doubt the important environmental protection objectives involved in these issues, without impinging on the principles of the internal market;

12.Expects that Austria's accession will strengthen the EU's economic and trade relations with Eastern European countries, given Austria's traditionally close relations with the region of Central and Eastern Europe;

13.Is of the opinion that the results of the accession negotiations for Austria strike a balance between the interests of both sides;

14.Takes the view that the agreements reached concerning agriculture and regional policy, although fair and appropriate, will involve revision of the financial perspective and draws the attention of the Council and Commission to the need to respect Parliament's powers in this respect;

15.Points out especially in this context the results in the field of environment, transit transport and second residences, where the negotiators have found innovative solutions for difficult problems without giving up the 'acquis communautaire' or breaching the principle of non-discrimination between all citizens of the Union;

16.Calls on the Commission, the Council and the Member States to consider the transit conditions through Austria as a first base and a chance to develop an environmentally sustainable policy for the whole Alpine region and as an example for other similar regions in Europe;

17.Points out once again to the Member States that Parliament expects the necessary institutional reforms to be undertaken in dialogue with Parliament, so as to impart to the Union a democratic, effective and transparent decision-making structure;

18.Stresses the urgent need, bearing in mind its assent to enlargement of the Union, for the European Council in Corfu to make a formal public undertaking on Parliament's full participation in the reforms planned for 1996;

19.Supports Austria's accession to the European Union on 1 January 1995 out of a sense of general political responsibility, despite the evident shortcomings in the institutional development of the European Union and the deficiencies in the procedure for informing the European Parliament about the accession treaties;

20.Notes that the accession of the four EFTA countries is expected to contribute to the stability of the European continent, and believes that enlargement towards the eligible countries of the south will further enhance the geo-political balance of the European Union;

21.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Member States and the Parliament and Government of the Republic of Austria.