Bernard Allen
Ceist:21 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if normal relations have been fully restored between the EU and Austria. [15013/02]
Vol. 553 No. 7
21 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if normal relations have been fully restored between the EU and Austria. [15013/02]
Following the formation of a coalition government in Austria on 4 February, 2000 which included the Austrian Freedom Party, FPO1, the other fourteen member states adopted a series of measures under which official bilateral meetings with Austria were suspended, contacts with Austrian Ambassadors in EU capitals were restricted and support was withheld from Austrian candidates for positions in international organisations. These measures stemmed from concern that the FPO1 had espoused policies which were in conflict with fundamental EU values and norms of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
The agreed measures related to the bilateral relations between each member state and Austria. They did not touch on the conduct of EU business, nor on the standing of Austria as a member state of the European Union.