As already reported in AK EUROPA Newsflash No. 9, a debate marking Austria’s 20th accession to the European Union took place at the beginning of March in cooperation with ÖGB Europabüro, the European Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation. Videos containing the statements of the participants are now available online.

The former finance minister Ferdinand Lacina, ÖGB President Erich Foglar as well as trade union presidents Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson (LO, Sweden) and Antti Palola (STTK, Finland) took stock. Both achievements and opinions were definitely mixed: whilst on the one hand the achievements of the European Union are regarded as an important contribution to secure peace in Europe and the economic development of the EU since accession are largely assessed as positive, there were also some points of criticism.

The discussion was hosted by Melitta Aschauer of the Chamber of Labour Vienna. In a subsequent statement, she spoke of large expectations and hopes, but also of fears, which dominated 20 years ago. Following “Best Practice” examples, Austria had succeeded in learning from her European partners. However, the financial and economic crisis had resulted in an increase of unequal distribution of wealth in Europe, which currently was the greatest challenge. Aschauer also emphasised that a social Europe had to be realised. This would make it necessary to establish a common and strong economic growth and tax policy in order to also avoid social dumping.

The statements of the discussion participants are now available as video online.

Photos of the event

Report of the event