ABSTRACT
Finland and Sweden became members of what was now the European Union. In many ways this represented a reversal of policy for each of them since they had previously felt unable, or had been unwilling, to consider such membership. The Finns were also constrained by the Soviets, reflecting the reality of their history, geo-strategic position and the nature of the Cold War international environment. Despite this orientation, Austria and Sweden did not stand aloof from all European developments. Both were founder members of the OEEC. Sweden joined the Council of Europe as a founder member in May 1949, with Austria joining in 1956 within months of the occupying forces leaving. Both Austria and Sweden were founder members of European Free Trade Association in 1960. What began to change the position of all three were the revolutions, beyond their control, in their economic, political and security environments at the end of the 1980s.
