VIENNA — Following is the official English text of a declaration entitled "Responsibility for Austria — A Future in the Heart of Europe" signed by conservative leader Wolfgang Schuessel and far-right Freedom Party leader Joerg Haider on Thursday.
The two men signed the declaration alongside a new coalition pact after meeting President Thomas Klestil in Vienna's Hofburg Palace. Klestil reluctantly approved the coalition, but only after rejecting two of Haider's nominees for ministerial posts.
The Federal Government reaffirms its unswerving adherence to the spiritual and moral values which are the common heritage of the peoples of Europe and the true source of individual freedom, political liberty and the rule of law, principles which form the basis of all genuine democracy.
The Federal Government stands for respect, tolerance and understanding for all human beings irrespective of their origin, religion or "weltanschauung" (outlook on the world). It condemns and actively combats any form of discrimination, intolerance and demagoguery in all areas. It strives for a society imbued with the spirit of humanism and tolerance towards the members of all social groups.
The Federal Government works for an Austria in which xenophobia, anti-Semitism and racism have no place. It will take vigorous steps to counter every way of thinking which seeks to denigrate human beings, will actively combat the dissemination of such ideas and is committed to full respect for the rights and fundamental freedoms of people of any nationality—irrespective of the reason for their stay in Austria. It acknowledges its special responsibility as regards the respectful treatment of ethnic and religious minorities.
The Federal Government supports the Charter of European Political Parties for a Non-Racist Society and commits itself to work for the exemplary realisation of its fundamental prinicples in Austria.
The Federal Government is committed to the protection and promotion of human rights as well as to their unconditional implementation at national and international level. This also makes an important contribution to the prevention of wars and domestic conflicts which result in violations of the rights of people, who may find themselves displaced or even forced to leave their home country.
The Federal Government is committed to the principles of pluralistic democracy and the rule of law common to all members of the European Union, which are also anchored in the Austrian constitution and form the precondition for membership in the Council of Europe. The rights and freedoms enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, which are constitutionally guaranteed in Austria, are a clear expression of this commitment.
The Federal Government is committed to the European peace project. Cooperation between the coalition parties is based on a commitment to Austria's membership in the European Union. The Federal Government is bound by those principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, which under Article 6 of the Treaty of the European Union are common to all member states of the European Union. Austria's future, too, lies in the deepening of integration and the enlargement of the Union. Austria's history and geopolitical situation represent a special responsibility to further the process of integration and to anchor the European idea even more firmly in everyday life. The Transatlantic Partnership will have a special significance in order to assure peace and stability during the 21st century.
The European Union as a community of values corresponds to a definite concept for the future development of European integration. This includes, in particular, work on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Austria supports further work towards combating all forms of discrimination according to Article 13 of the EU Treaty.
A living culture of democracy and the rule of law demands a relationship between state and citizens that creates new areas of freedom and responsibility for the individual. In a modern efficient state there are functions which can best be carried out by the individual or by non-state actors.
The Federal Government, however, is committed with all emphasis to the maintenance in solidarity of the state welfare services for every citizen who needs state help and support. This applies especially to those people who are unable to take advantage of the opportunities induced by modernisation which are increasingly dominating our lives.
The principle of solidarity also means that consideration must be shown towards the needs and expectations of future generations in order to ensure fair chances for all members of society and their plans for the future.
The Federal Government desires to strengthen Austria's position as a performance and competition orientated economic location. That is the basis for securing existing employment, creating new jobs and ensuring prosperity in our country. Austria's accession to the European Union and an assured participation in the European Monetary Union were and remain important preconditions for the future of the economy and employment in Austria.
Austria's social partnership has proved itself as an important instrument for the location of industry and jobs in Austria, and has contributed thereby to the maintenance of social peace. The Federal Government is committed to comprehensive cooperation with the social partners, but at the same time recommends the necessary readiness to reform the social partnership, for example in respect of the social security structures including the election of representatives of the insured, and strengthening the service character of the social partnership institutions.
The Federal Government is aware that the Austrian people must energetically continue to build on their great achievements of the past and develop Austria's strengths still further.
Austria accepts her responsibility arising out of the tragic history of the 20th century and the horrendous crimes of the National Socialist regime. Our country is facing up to the light and dark sides of its past and to the deeds of all Austrians, good and evil, as its responsibility. Nationalism, dictatorship and intolerance brought war, xenophobia, bondage, racism and mass murder. The singularity of the crimes of the Holocaust which are without precedent in history are an exhortation to permanent alertness against all forms of dictatorship and totalitarianism.
The European Union's project for a broad, democratic and prosperous Europe, to which the Federal Government is unconditionally committed, is the best guarantee against a repetition of this darkest chapter of Austrian history.
The Federal Government is committed to a self-critical scrutiny of the National Socialist past. It will ensure unreserved clarification, exposure of the structures of injustice, and the transmission of this knowledge to coming generations as a warning for the future. As regards the question of forced labour under the National Socialist regime, the Federal Government will endeavour to arrive at objective solutions in the light of the intermediate report by the Austrian commission of historians, while having regard to the primary responsibility of the companies concerned.
The government parties are committed to a new form of government and cooperation. They desire to solve problems, deal with challenges and make consistent use of opportunities, because they are committed to Austria's future in Europe. Austria, as a stable and reliable country, will make her contribution in partnership for a peaceful and secure life together in Europe and the world.