The EU Commission Representation is using the 30th anniversary of EU membership as an opportunity to launch a communication campaign. “The great advantages that Austria has through EU membership are proven in black and white by numbers and many studies. And yet all too often one has the impression that the European Union or ‘Brussels’ is perceived as some kind of alien entity. This is where we want to start our campaign and reach not only the minds but also the hearts of citizens,” said EU Commission representative Christian Wigand at a press brunch today. “Because we are all ‘the EU’. Together we have grown as a European Union and only together can we overcome the major economic and geopolitical challenges. As an EU member state, Austria plays a key role in determining the direction in which our Union develops.”
Well-known personalities on board
Since the beginning of the year, television spots produced by the creative agency Good Life Crew have been drawing attention to shared achievements. The focus is on the topics of competitiveness, research, agriculture, the environment and safety. The protagonists include well-known personalities from film, television, theater and science, including Caroline Athanasiadis, Thea Ehre, Aida Loos, Werner Gruber, Harald Krassnitzer and John Smile.
In order to put the spotlight on 30 years of EU membership, the facade of Vienna’s Café Landtmann was lit up in the EU colors at the beginning of the year on the initiative of the EU Commission Representation. The Vienna Philharmonic dedicated a waltz at the New Year’s Concert to the EU anniversary. Events and initiatives will be held throughout the year to mark the milestone birthday.
Positive balance
Austria has benefited like no other country from integration into the EU internal market and from eastern expansion – to the benefit of its population and its companies. Austria’s economic output has increased by almost 60% since 1995, and employment has grown by around a third. Thanks to the Erasmus+ exchange program, more than 150,000 students from Austria were able to gain experience in other EU countries – as well as thousands of students, young entrepreneurs and apprentices. Domestic farmers have received around 35 billion euros in EU funds since 1995. EU-funded projects are setting the course for modern infrastructure – keywords include the Brenner Base Tunnel and the Koralmbahn. The EU research programs have contributed to doubling the Austrian research quota to 3.3% of gross domestic product.
More information and the spot can be found here:
30 years together – European Commission
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