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History of the EU The origins of European integration date back to the end of World War II. The war had left Europe in ruins and prompted the search for a lasting peace and, in particular, the need to bring about lasting reconciliation between France and Germany. One of the first initiatives was the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) established by the Treaty of Paris in 1951. On 9 May 1950 Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, proposed that French and German coal and steel production should be 'pooled'. Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands joined France and Germany in setting up the ECSC and merging national interests in these industries. In 1957 the six members of the ECSC formed the European Economic Community (EEC) and began the process of developing a common market for goods and services. The Treaties of Rome, signed in March 1957, created the EEC and the European Atomic Energy Community. The Common Agricultural Policy to support farmers was established. Since 1957,
the EEC has seen five stages of enlargement, and now brings together
25 countries in what is known as the European Union (EU). Denmark, Ireland
and the United Kingdom joined in 1973; Greece in 1981; Portugal and
Spain in 1986; Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995; Cyprus, the Czech
Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia,
Slovenia on May 1st, 2004. The first direct elections to the European Parliament were held in 1979. Before that its members were drawn from national parliaments. Another notable development took place in 1987 with the coming into force of the Single European Act which set out the timetable for the creation of the Single Market by 1993. This brought about the world's largest trading area and the free movement of goods, capital, people and services. The term "European Union" was introduced by the Maastricht Treaty in November 1993. The Treaty established new areas of European co-operation in foreign and security policy, and justice and home affairs. The new Treaty also set out a timetable for economic and monetary union and the introduction of a single currency. Further changes were introduced by the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. In particular, the powers of the European Parliament were given a major boost and increased cooperation in foreign policy and home affairs was established. Further enlargement of the European Union is on the cards as more countries from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean have applied to join. In order to allow the EU to function effectively with a much larger membership, member states agreed to a new EU Treaty in Nice in December 2000. A special Convention -the Convention on the Future of Europe- proposed a constitutional Treaty setting out new arrangements to enable an enlarged EU to work. In February 2002, the euro became the sole currency of 12 EU countries. Denmark, Sweden and the UK remained outside the eurozone. The 10 new countries will adopt the euro only when they fulfil certain economic criteria, namely, a high degree of price stability, a sound fiscal situation, stable exchange rates and converged long-term interest rates. The European Central Bank contributes to the decision-making on future euro are members. (www.ecb.int).
More EU history on the internet:
A tale of three cities Brussels The capital of Belgium, a city of nearly one million people, which is famous for its chocolates and beer, is often regarded as the unofficial capital of the European Union. 'Brussels' is also a convenient and sometimes a negative label for all matters relating to the EU because it is the home to many European Union institutions and other organisations. The Council of Ministers, the European Commission, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions are all based in Brussels. Most European Parliament committee meetings are held in Brussels and, since 1993, a number of two day plenary sessions have been held in the Parliament's new complex. Brussels is also home to the national representations of the member states, including the UK Permanent Representation to the EU (UKREP) and the many diplomatic missions accredited to the union. Many European-wide lobbying organisations are based in Brussels, together with many hundreds of journalists. Numerous local authorities and regional authorities have offices in Brussels. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is also located in Brussels.
Strasbourg The capital of Alsace, Strasbourg is an ancient cathedral city of half a million people. Nowadays is often seen as the parliamentary capital of Europe as it is the seat for most European Parliament plenary sessions and is home to the Council of Europe. MEPs spend one week a month in Strasbourg in line with the decision of national governments reached at the EU summit in Edinburgh in 1992. A protocol annexed to the Treaty of Amsterdam confirmed the Edinburgh decision which is:
Luxembourg The picturesque capital of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg is a well known international banking centre as well as home to a number of EU bodies, including the Courts of Justice and Auditors. The European Investment Bank, the administrative headquarters of the European Parliament and a number of European Commission services are also found on the Plateau du Kirchberg, on the outskirts of the city. |
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Last updated May 7th, 2004 |