History and Institutional Structure of the European Union

The Origins and Expansion of the European Union

Founding Treaties

• 1951 Paris Treaty: The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was formed by six founding countries: Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France, West Germany, Italy, and Belgium.
• 1957 Treaty of Rome: Established the European Economic Community (EEC) and a common market, alongside EUROATOM for the development of nuclear energy.

EU Enlargement Timeline

• 1973: Ireland, the UK, and Denmark joined.
• 1980: Greece joined.
• 1986: Spain and Portugal joined.
• 1995: Sweden, Austria, and Finland joined.
• 2004: Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta, and Cyprus joined.
• 2007: Romania and Bulgaria joined.
• 2013: Croatia joined.

The Schengen Agreement

Established in 1985, the Schengen Agreement allows for travel without passports or immigration controls. Currently, 22 EU member states participate, excluding the UK, Ireland, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. Additionally, four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries participate: Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Iceland.

Key Treaties and Integration

• 1986 Single European Act: Promoted further integration and a common market without borders.
• 1992 Maastricht Treaty: Established the European Union and EU citizenship.
• 2009 Lisbon Treaty: Modified the Maastricht and Rome Treaties. The Union became a legal entity capable of concluding agreements with states or international organizations. It introduced the double majority rule (55% of the Council representing 65% of EU citizens), expanded co-decision rules between the European Parliament and the Council, and created a stable presidency of the European Council.

Core EU Institutions

• European Parliament: The legislative institution representing EU citizens. It makes binding laws for 27 countries and holds three roles: Legislative, Supervisory, and Budgetary.
• European Commission: The executive organ representing the general European interest. It is a unique institution with a supranational nature, ensuring compliance with EU laws and negotiating international treaties.
• Council of the EU: Represents member state governments. Attended by ministers, it acts as a legislative body alongside the Parliament.
• European Council: A summit of the Heads of State or Government of the EU member states and the President of the European Commission.
• Court of Justice of the EU: The highest court in the EU, established in 1952. It consists of three bodies: the Court of Justice, the General Court, and the Civil Service Tribunal, which handles disputes between the EU and its staff.
• European Central Bank (ECB): Manages the eurozone.
• European Court of Auditors (ECA): The guardian of EU finances.