In this interview, Mr Scheich discussed the following topics:
- his educational background;
- his work in the Federal Chancellery;
- his participation to the creation of EFTA;
- his commitment to European integration;
- being the Austrian representative to Brussels;
- Austria’s neutrality and global approach;
- Austria’s membership application letter and neutrality resolution;
- his role as Head of Delegation for the negotiations with European Communities in 1993 and 1994;
- the main priorities during the negotiations (agriculture, road traffic, environmental standards and secondary residences in touristic areas);
- Alois Mock’s press conference;
- German influence on the negotiations;
- Willy Claes’ visit to Vienna to settle Austria’s neutrality with Brussels;
- his relations with the others negotiating countries;
- the Austrian referendum of June 1994;
- the Corfu Summit and the signing of entry treaties;
- changes in Austria since its entry in the European Union;
- his experience and thoughts about the Delors and Santer Commissions;
- the Mitterrand – Kohl – Delors triangle;
- his opinion of some outstanding Commissioners and European civil servants;
- the relations between the European Council and the Commission;
- the growing influence of the European Parliament;
- the role of interest groups;
- relationships, within the European Union, between Austria and Germany.