First day of the commemorative stamps “Dove of peace“ and “30 years of EU membership”

At the heart of Europe

On 1 January 1995, Austria joined the European Union. Austrian Post is marking the anniversary with a commemorative stamp in the colours of the EU and Austria.

The foundations of today’s EU were laid in the 1950s with the creation of the European Economic Community (EEC) and other European organisations. The Maastricht Treaty, which came into force in 1993, formally established the European Union. Alongside Austria, Finland and Sweden also joined in 1995, bringing the number of member states to 15. In 2025 – following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal in 2020 – the EU has 27 member states.

Austria’s accession was preceded by many years of integration efforts, which culminated in 1989 with its application for membership, known as the “Letter to Brussels”. After successful negotiations, around two-thirds of the Austrian population voted in favour of EU membership in the referendum held on 12 June 1994. The European Union, with its fundamental rights and values, forms the cornerstone of democratic coexistence in Europe. Joint decision-making aims to bring security, sustainability, the economy and society into harmony, thereby strengthening cohesion among EU member states on many levels. Economically, the European Single Market enables the free movement of people, goods, services and capital within the EU – and Austria conducts a large share of its foreign trade with other EU countries.

Dove of peace

Across borders

A cross-border project involving several European postal companies, the United Nations and the Universal Postal Union has made the dove of peace the shared motif of a commemorative stamp.

The symbol of the dove of peace has its roots in the Bible: after the Flood, Noah sent out doves to search for land. The dove became a popular symbol of peace in 1949, when Pablo Picasso’s depiction of a dove was chosen as the motif for the poster of the World Peace Congress.

Especially today, peace is of the utmost importance. With this international joint issue, a philatelic message of peace is being sent – one that, like a dove, transcends borders, highlights the importance of togetherness, and stands as a sign of hope. Love, tolerance and understanding form the basis of freedom and solidarity among people, as does the acceptance of diverse views and ways of life. This collaborative project underlines the truth that peace always begins with ourselves. It is also a testament to the strength of people and institutions committed to creating a better world. Just as elaborate embroidery requires patience and skill, the pursuit of peace demands effort, perseverance and care. The embroidered stamp featuring the symbolic dove of peace was produced by the Vorarlberg embroidery company Hämmerle & Vogel. While the motif of the dove is identical across all participating countries, each version bears the individual country name and the respective denomination in its own currency.

When? 19 September 2025, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where? Philately Shop Post am Rochus, Rochusplatz 1, 1030 Vienna

Group photos:

Photo of presentation: ©BKAWenzl

Photo 1 (left to right): Walter Oblin, CEO, Austrian Post, Claudia Plakolm, Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Family, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs