Evolution of the European Union: Treaties, Enlargement, and Institutions

Posted on Nov 24, 2024 in Social sciences

The Process of European Union Integration

In 1946, Winston Churchill advocated for a unified Europe to end rivalries and create a global power comparable to the U.S. and the USSR. The process of EU integration began a few years later with the founding treaties:

Founding Treaties

  • Treaty of Paris (1951): Established the European Coal and Steel Community, a common market for France, West Germany, Italy, and the Benelux countries.
  • Treaty of Rome (1957): Created the European Economic Community, establishing free trade, and Euratom for peaceful nuclear energy development.

Amendments to the Founding Treaties

As European integration progressed, the founding treaties were amended through new treaties:

Amending Treaties

  • The Single European Act (1986): Increased the European Parliament’s powers, boosted funding for less dynamic regions, and set the single market for 1993.
  • The Treaty of the European Union (1992): Created the European Union with its three pillars, ceding sovereignty and establishing common foreign, security, and justice policies.
  • Treaty of Amsterdam (1997): Aimed for a more democratic, social Europe, strengthening Parliament, employment, and citizenship rights.
  • Treaty of Nice (2001): Reformed institutions and decision-making for further enlargement.
  • Treaty of Lisbon (2007): Reformed the EU, giving it legal personality, clarifying its competencies, improving efficiency and democracy, and enhancing its global presence. It also provided for the possibility of a member state’s withdrawal.

The Process of Enlargement

  • 1958: Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
  • 1973: United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark (excluding Greenland and Faroe Islands).
  • 1981: Greece joined. Greenland withdrew in 1985.
  • 1986: Spain and Portugal.
  • 1990: Unification of Germany. The term European Union formally used from 1993.
  • 1995: Austria, Finland, and Sweden.
  • 2004: Czech Republic, Cyprus (Greek part), Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, and Poland.
  • 2007: Romania and Bulgaria. Croatia, Macedonia, and Turkey were expected to join.

Consequences of Enlargement

Political

Positive effects on peace and democracy, but challenges to the Union’s functioning due to territorial disputes and foreign policy differences.

Socioeconomic

Demographic increase (104 million people with the last two enlargements). A wider single market and diversified economic activities, but also internal inequality and lower GDP in new member states.

Cultural and Environmental

Increased linguistic diversity (23 languages). Implementation of EU environmental legislation reduces ecological disaster risks.

Institutions of the European Union

  • The European Council: Highest political body, comprising heads of government, the Commission President, and an elected President. Sets EU objectives and priorities.
  • The Council of the European Union: Represents member states, composed of ministers from each state. Passes laws and the budget, defines economic and political policies, and signs international treaties.
  • The European Parliament: Directly represents EU citizens, elected every five years.
  • The European Commission: The EU’s executive branch, representing the Union’s general interest.
  • The Court of Justice of the European Union: Exercises judicial power, interpreting and applying EU law.
  • The European Court of Auditors: Supervises and controls EU accounts.
  • The European Central Bank: Central bank for the Euro, part of the European System of Central Banks.