Külügyi Szemle - A Magyar Külügyi Intézet folyóirata - 2013 (12. évfolyam)
2013 / 2. szám - AUSZTRIA ÉS AZ EURÓPAI UNIÓ - Kőrösi István: Ausztria Európa-politikája és gazdasági pozíciója az Európai Unióban
Körösi István Résumé Austria's Europe-Policy and Economic Position in the European Union The characteristic Austrian identity, value system and motifs play a significant role in the Austrian foreign policy, and in its Europe-policy. The Austrian identity has gained strength as a result of the EU membership, since, the need for an effective advocacy within the EU was a good motivation, and the Austrian economy's efficient performance in the EU has strengthened it. The Austrian standard of wages and living have reached the German one in the 1990s and then surpassed it. In the last quarter of a century, Austria's position and its Europe-policy has been influenced by four historical events and their consequences: regime changes of 1989— 1990 in Central and Eastern Europe, joining the EU in 1995, creating the EMU and issuing the euro, as well as the EU's Eastern enlargement (2004, 2007 and 2013). Based on the great historical revolutions, the identity and the way of lobbying both had to be redefined. Austria particularly emphasises sovereignty and subsidiarity among the EU's principles, since both are crucial to the practice of the enforcement of Austrian interests. The country seeks to strengthen the role of the small member states within the decision-making mechanism of the EU. The members of the Community must provide continuous responses to the questions of national, regional and European identity. However, the problems caused by the aftermath of the post-2008 crisis and the recent financial crisis, make it difficult to make progress. The gradually integrating Central Europe - in case of becoming an organic regional integration - can strengthen its international political and economic position. In which Austria has a key role. Austria's benefit, obtained from the EU membership, occurs in the growth in surplus, the increase in exports, the growth of R & D efficiency, the excess of consumption caused by the increase of wealth, as well as in the increased tax revenues. This way Austria and the EU both gain profit (a win-win position develops). The negotiations on the future of the EU integration are dominated by the following questions: institutionalisation of the financial stabilisation, reorganisation of the member states' budgets, responsibilities of debt reduction and the need to reduce the imbalances in international financial markets. The general course line of the Austrian Europe-policy is that a strong, law-abiding, regulatory community is required, rather than a transfer community. The consolidation will require greater policy convergence. The rational coordination of national and EU-policies must be based on a policy, following national interests, as well as promoting cooperation. 54 Külügyi Szemle
