The Tyrol in Europe

The representation of the Tyrol's interests in European matters is multi-faceted and includes the Tyrolean European Union policy as well as the Tyrol's participation in the inner-Austrian EU decision-making process.

The leading functions of the Tyrol's representatives in the EU-Committee of the Regions of the European Union and in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe as well as the committed political work of the Tyrol's members of the European Parliament are a significant element of the direct integration of Tyrolean issues into the legislative process on the European level. The Representation of the Tyrol in Brussels at the seat of the EU authorities lobbies intensively for the interests of the Tyrol in the European institutions.

Regional foreign policy is centred on relationships with the other countries of the Working Community of the Alpine Regions, "Arbeitsgemeinschaft Alpenländer" - Arge Alp (in German), that was established before Austria's accession to the EU, and on the strategic alliance within the European Region of Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino. The permanent secretariat of the Alpine Convention in Innsbruck makes the Tyrolean capital a hub of Alpine politics.

Besides that there are contacts with many other regions and partnerships in the framework of development cooperation.

The Global Marshall Plan Initiative is aiming at improved and binding frameworks for the global economy, which create balance between economy, environment, society and culture. The Tyrol declares it´s support for this idea and works actively on the realisation of the aims of the Global Marshall Plan.

The Emperor Maximilian Prize (in German) - European Prize for Regional and Local Politics of the Province of Tyrol and the City of Innsbruck is awarded to personalities and institutions for outstanding achievements in the field of regional and communal politics in Europe. Special consideration is given to endeavours to implement the principles of subsidiarity and of local and regional self-government in Europe. The award consists of a certificate and a medal (a coin showing Emperor Maximilian I in 1509) as well as of a cash prize of € 10,000.

The Tyrol International network and the World Federation of Expatriate Austrians (in German) forms a link with Tyroleans around the world.

The Office of the Tyrolean Government has the necessary specialized administrative structures and the relevant experts for dealing with all issues of the process of European integration that affect Tyrol.