The governing coalition between the Social Democrat SPÖ and the Conservative People’s Party ÖVP have laid down provisions for a referendum on Turkey’s possible EU accession in its government programme.
The document says the government will pay attention that the process of enlargement will be shaped in a careful and cautious way taking into account the EU's absorption capacity. It further states: “a concerted and careful approaching of Turkey and its population to European values and standards is in the interest of all EU member states.”
“We support a gradual approach with the aim of a tailored Turkish-European community. The Austrian citizens will have the last word in a referendum when there is a negotiation result with the aim of accession.”
Nevertheless, the government programme insists that “European integration would be incomplete without the countries of the Western Balkans,” saying: “EU-accession negotiations with Croatia should be concluded as early as possible.”
The Turkish Ambassador in Austria Selim Yenel expressed his disappointment. He said: "We would like Austria at least to give accession a chance".
President Jacques Chirac has repeatedly stated French intentions of holding a referendum on Turkey’s EU accession.
