Importance of Treaties Flashcards
What do the Treaties serve as?
The constitutional foundation of the European Union.
What do the Treaties for the basis for?
- ‘General goals and principles of European integration’
- They show the overall direction and political priorities of the EU
- Policy areas subject to EU Law
- Treaties are a powermap: rules governing EU instiutions
- Treaties show the relationship between EU and member states.
How does the Treaty Reform Process work?
1) Someone makes a proposal to revise the Treaties - there’s an ordinary revision procedure (Article 48, TEU)
2) Intergovernmental Conference - summit meetings of heads of government then detailed negotiations by government ministers and officials, states then sign when it has been agreed.
3) Intergovernmental Executive Power dominates Treaty Reform
When was Treaty of Paris?
1951
What was the Treaty of Paris?
The founding treaty of European integration - it expired 2002 - established the European Coal and Steel Community. Step towards supranationalism, relinquishment of national sovereignty.
Economic Objectives of Treaty of Paris?
Creation of a Common Market in Coal and Steel (internal and external dimension)
Protect and enhance key industries
Political Objectives of Treaty of Paris?
Give up sovereignty over key industries.
Create supranational institutions with real power.
When was the Treaty of Rome?
1957
What was the Treaty of Rome?
Established the European Economic Community and European Atomic Energy Community
Economic Objectives of the Treaty of Rome?
- Establishment of free market principles
- Freedom of movement
- Establishment of a customs union (abolishes quotas/tariffs)
Political Objectives of the Treaty of Rome?
‘An ever closer union among the people’s of Europe’
Further supranational integration - beyond coal and steel.
Name 3 Key Features of the European Economic Community?
- Community Law binding on Member States - prevents a constantly changing interpretation of integration (clear rules)
- Range of Institutions - Commission, Court, Assembly, Council
- Common Policy Areas included agriculture, transport and coal.
- European Social Fund
- Opportunity for Enlargement (Article 237)
When was the Single European Act?
1985
What was the context behind the SEM Act?
New Commission President (Delors)
International Climate had changed
Economic Objectives of the Single European Act?
To establish an internal market
Removal of barriers to the ‘Four Freedoms’
What are the Four Freedoms?
Freedom of movement of capital, goods, people and services within the EU.
What was the political implication of Single European Act?
Enhanced supranational integration.
Key features of the Single European Act?
- Extension of scope of EU-policy making - now controlling environment, foreign policy etc).
- Institutional Reform - Formalising the role of the European Council, Loss of National Veto in Council of Ministers and enhanced decision-making role for the European Parliament
Increased Commission Power - key role: policy proposals to complete internal market and Delors Report (1989) ‘embedded liberalism’
When was the Treaty of Maastricht?
1992
What did the Treaty of Maastricht do?
Establishes the European Union.
Context before the Treaty of Maastricht?
- Collapse of Communism and end of Cold War.
- German Reunification (and monetary union)
- Push for a more political dimension to the Union
Economic Objectives of Maastricht?
- Further SEM programme through EMU project.
- Economic Communities (EC) moved into a First Pillar.
- Cohesion Policy
Main Political Feature of Maastricht?
Extends political co-operation through Pillar System.
First Pillar?
European Communities (Economic/SEM)
Second Pillar?
Common Foreign and Security Policy
Third Pillar?
Justice and Home Affairs
What are pillars two and three in Maastricht?
Foreign Policy and Justice/Home Affairs remain intergovernmental
More Qualified Majority Voting in the Council with Maastricht, why?
To break deadlocks
Which key concept does Maastricht introduce?
European Citizenship
What is created as a result of Maastricht?
Creation of Committee of the Regions
Big constitutional issue? 1996.
Key institutional issues needed to be resolved - size of commission, presidency of Council and QMV (weighting)
Treaty of Amsterdam? When?
1997
What was the Treaty of Amsterdam?
“A rather modest Treaty” -Bache
There was a failure to reach agreement on institutional changes to the Commission or the QMV system
It was decided that flexible integration should happen.
Treaty of Nice? When?
2000
What was the Treaty of Nice?
Longest ever European Council in EU History
Constitutional Reforms were decided to the Commission and to the European Parliament and to the QMV system.
Irish Referendum on leaving (initial rejection)
When was the Constitutional Treaty debated?
Took place at the Convention on Future of Europe - Feb 2002 - June 2003
What did the Constitutional Treaty try to establish?
Member states attempted to create a document which disregarded all former Treaties. Didn’t work. France and Netherlands had referendums in which both electorates declined the Treaty.
Treaty of Lisbon? When? Context?
2009? Lisbon Strategy to respond to globalisation. Largely the same objectives as the Constitutional Reform Treaty.
Key Objectives of Treaty of Lisbon?
Compromise: Free Market and ‘Social Europe’
Economic Competitiveness
Social Cohesion.
Does Ireland agree to Lisbon?
After a 2nd referendum.
Key features of Lisbon?
- No more Pillars
- Open Method of Cooperation -intergovernmental approach where the Commission acts as the facilitator, there is a focus on growth and security.
- New Roles
President of European Council
High Rep for Foreign Affairs - Charter of Fundamental Rights also established.
