History of European Integration and Treaties

The Nature of the European Union

The European Union (EU) is an international organization which shall be distinguished from numerous international non-governmental organizations. There are special features which cannot be found in other international organizations. The EU lacks many features of federations; instead, it is labeled as a supranational organization. There is no similar structure in the world.

Chronology of European Integration

1951: The Treaty of Paris

Six founding countries (Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) signed a treaty to run heavy industries. The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was born as the precursor of the EU.

1957: The Treaty of Rome

The six founding countries expanded cooperation to other economic sectors, creating the European Economic Community (EEC) and setting up EURATOM. The EEC was built around the free movement of workers, goods, and services. Customs duties on manufactured goods were abolished, and common policies were to be established.

The EEC as a Customs Union:

• Progressive elimination of internal tariffs by 1969.
• Formation of a Free Trade Area (FTA).
• Creation of a uniform tariff schedule applicable to imports from the rest of the world.
• Goal: Formation of a common market.

1960: European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

This served as an alternative to the countries that chose or were unable to enter the EEC. It was a free trade zone focused only on non-agricultural products.

1967: Fusion of Institutions

A common commission and a common council were established to streamline governance.

1979: Economic Convergence and Monetary Union

The need for economic convergence and monetary union arose when the United States suspended dollar convertibility. The establishment of a European Monetary System (EMS) helped stabilize exchange rates and encouraged member states to pursue strict economic policies.

1986: Single European Act

This was the first major reform of the constituent treaties. It aimed to relaunch the European project, improve the democratization of the system, and introduced qualified majority voting as an alternative to unanimity.

1992: Treaty of Maastricht

The EEC, which originally focused on economic integration, changed into a union also focused on political integration.

Aims and Principles of the EU (The Three Pillars):

1. Community pillar: The Commission proposes, and the Council decides.
2. Common Foreign and Security Policy: Based on intergovernmental agreement.
3. Cooperation in Justice and Home Affairs: Based on intergovernmental agreement.

1997: Amsterdam Treaty

This treaty included the defense policy and the extension of the codecision policy.

2001: Treaty of Nice

This involved constitutional reform to adapt treaties for Central and Eastern European countries and modifications to the type of qualified majority decisions.

2004: Treaty of Rome (Constitutional Reform)

This aimed at the simplification of the treaties (where the three pillars of Maastricht disappear) and establishing a Constitution for Europe.

2007: Lisbon Treaty

Designed to increase the democracy, effectiveness, and transparency of the EU. Under this treaty, the European Council became an institution with its own legal personality.