lectures

Peter Gerlich
(Professor of Political Science at the University of Vienna: Director of Institute of Political Science)

Austria and the EU

Summaries of Lecture

The origins of the EU go back to the past World War II situation in Europe. Economic cooperation first of six nations should prevent future wars. Gradually this cooperation was deepened (by extending its powers) and deepened (by including more states). Austria became a member in 1995.
Austria now cooperates in the complicated institutional structures of the union and participates in so called multilevel processes of politics (Both structures and processes of EU politics will be explained).

Being a member-state has changed the character of politics in Austria - even if this has not been much noticed by both politicians and the public. The so called "sanctions" intermittedly imposed by the EU after the formation of a center-right government in Austria in 2000 have not really improved this situation. Partly for this reason there is considerable interest in Austria for a reform of the union, as for example now discussed in the European convention.

Birgit Klausser
(Lecturer of Political Science at the University of Vienna; Federal Ministry of Social Security and Generations, Department VI)

EU-Enlargment: What is EUrope?

Summaries of Lecture

Half a century after Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill agreed upon the division of Europe into a "western" and "eastern" hemisphere the continent seems to re-unite under the framework of the European Union. The near future will bring a Union of 25 countries and 450 million citizens. Furthermore, other states are already lining up for a next round of enlargement.

Even without a constitution, the concept of the Union is a successful one - but what is it that will unite polish and portuguese, greek and estonian People? How can the European institutions, originally designed for a Community of 6 member states, ensure fair participation for all representatives whether they belong to small or big member states? How will the distribution of money and power be negotiated - in more than 20 working languages - when 25 different national interests need to be taken into account and reconciled?

And where are the limits of enlargement? Will Europe stay a "Christian club"(Kohl) or can Turkey (which is already accepted as pr-accession country since December 1999) become a full member? Would EUrope act different as a global player sharing a Schengen-border with Iran and Irak? What about the EU-ambitions of the former Yugoslavian republics: are Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegowina and Serbia going to work towards a new unionism in a larger context and how would EUrope deal with a membership application of Ukraine and Russia? Is Europe already a "pudding without shape" (Prodi) or is "full integration", the United States of Europe the hidden core value of the post-world-war concept of the European Communities?