The Construction Process

Question 1

What are the different stages of the European Union?

Answer 1

The EU was conceived in the aftermath of the Second World War.

1. The European Coal and Steel Community.
2. The European Communities
3. The European Union

The political project initiated the European construction process, that has been going on until now.

Question 2

What was the treaty establishing the EU, when was this and with what purpose?

Answer 2

The Treaty of Maastricht established the EU on 1 November 1993, as a new stage in the process of creating an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe.

Question 3

How many member enlargements of the EU have there been?

Answer 3

There has been seven enlargements in total, whereas four of them in the modern times of the EU.

On this subject can be added that Bosnia and Herzegovina just received the official candidate status.

Question 4

What is the official date for the beginning of what would then lead up to the EU?

Answer 4

This was through the Robert Schuman Declaration on 9 May 1950, which is also the day of Europe.

Question 5

Are all the treaties the same type or are there different kinds of European treaties?

Answer 5

There are three different kinds of European treaties:

1. Constituent treaties
2. Accession treaties
3. Amendment treaties

Question 6

What is the European integration process?

Answer 6

The European integration process is the process of industrial, economic, political, legal, social, and cultural integration of states wholly or partially in Europe or nearby.

European integration has primarily come about through the European Union and its policies.

Question 7

What were the European Communities?

Answer 7

The European Communities were three international organizations that were governed by the same set of institutions.

These were the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) and the European Economic Community (EEC).

The European Union is a further development of the European Communities.

Question 8

Is there any difference between the European Community and the European Union?

Answer 8

The European Economic Community (EC) was renamed the European Community by the Maastricht Treaty when establishing the European Union.

The EC then served as a part of one of the three pillars of the EU.

Question 9

What is an intergovernmental conference?

Answer 9

Conferences of representatives of the governments of the Member States are convened to discuss and agree EU treaty changes.

Question 10

What is a constituent treaty?

Answer 10

A multilateral agreement that set up an international organization for a specific purpose.

Question 11

What is a treaty of amendment?

Answer 11

This is a treaty amending the institution through treaties.

Question 12

What is an accession treaty?

Answer 12

A treaty of the European Union that specifies the terms under which an applicant state becomes a member of the European Union.

Question 13

What does ‘deepening’ mean in regards to the European integration process?

Answer 13

A process of gradual and formal vertical institutionalization, meaning integration that reaches different levels of centralization.

Question 14

What is an enlargement of the European integration process?

Answer 14

This term is used to refer to the intensification of cooperation between EU member states as national governments allow for the gradual harmonization of national laws.

Question 15

What was the European Coal and Steel Community?

Answer 15

This was the first international organisation of integration. It had six members and a limited life-span of 50 years.

It was in the first place was created to contribute to the improving relations between France and Germany, but was clearly breaking new grounds.

Question 16

What was the main economy achievements of the European Coal and Steel Community?

Answer 16

The establishment of a common market as an instrument for economic integration, through for example economic freedoms and a customs union.

Question 17

What were the four institutions of the ECSC?

Answer 17

High authority: Main executive institution with decision-making power composed of independent representative from the governments.

Parliamentary Assembly: Institution representing the interests of the citizens composed of delegates from national parliaments.

Council of Ministers: Composed of one representative from each government, with an advisory role to the High Authority.

Court of Justice: Composed of independent judged in charge of the interpretation and enforcement of common legislation.

Question 18

What were the further steps from the ECSC?

Answer 18

Through the Messina meeting (1955) there was an agreement to extend economic integration beyond coal and steel.

The European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) were created by the Rome Treaty (1957).

Question 19

What is the history behind the creation of the EU?

Answer 19

The TEU was the result of the common reaction to the new European map after the fall of the Berlin wall, as well as to the new international order emerging from the end of the Cold War (1989).

As a new stage, the EU embraced the three existing European Communities and two areas of intergovernmental cooperation.

Question 20

Who were the signatory states of the ECSC?

Answer 20

France, Germany, Italy, and the three Benelux countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands).

Question 21

What is the Rome Treaty, when did it enter into force and what changed trough the Rome Treaty?

Answer 21

Date: 25 March 1957

Created the EAEC and EEC.

The treaty of Rome completely changed the dialogue between the intergovernmental and supranational institutions. Before this point, they co-existed but had nothing to do with each other.

Question 22

What enlargements were done to the European Communities?

Answer 22

Three enlargements; from six to twelve MS.

1973: United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark.

1981: Greece

1986: Spain and Portugal

Question 23

When did the Parliamentary Assembly become the European Parliament?

Answer 23

Date: 20 September 1976

Through the Council’s decision on the direct election of the Parliamentary Assembly members.

The only European institution provided with direct democratic legitimacy, like any national parliament.