Topic 10. The Gaullist re-interpretation of the European Communities Flashcards

1
Q

Progress in European integration

A

Quick evolution of EEC:

    * Great relevance leadership of the process by the President of the European Commission (Walter Hallstein)
    * In 1960 there is a 30% increase of intra-EEC trade exchanges (just 17% in the case of EFTA).
    * Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is gradually deployed since 1962.
    * Internal tariffs are eliminated in 1968.
    * 1965: Treaty merging the executive bodies of the 3 Communities
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2
Q

French Foreign Policy - reminder

A

Utilitarian Europeism

* “European” europeism (no Atlantism)
* No deepening European integration with supranational institutions.
* Franco-German axis key for European cooperation
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3
Q

Fouchet Plans

A
  • De Gaulle returns to French presidency at 1958.
  • Heads of State summit of the Six MS (Bonn, 1961): establishment of a Research Committee (lead by Christian Fouchet, French FA minister) to study the possibility to create a political and diplomatic cooperation mechanism among the Six.
  • No agreement: “The French plan is based on the old idea of a treaty between States, an Alliance of Europe of Nations” (Luns, Dutch FA minister).
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4
Q

Fouchet Plan I

Treaty for the European Political Union

A

1961: first draft the Treaty for the European Political Union (Fouchet Plan I):
* Union of States based on the respect for the individuality of their peoples and MS
* Areas of activity: Common Foreign Policy + Common Defence Policy; defense Human Rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy; cultural cooperation
* Institutions: Council of Heads of State and Government; European Parliament; Political Commission.
* Union open to all MS of the Council of Europe

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5
Q

Fouchet Plan II

Treaty for the European Political Union

A

1962: second draft of the Treaty for the European Political Union (Fouchet Plan II):
* New competences on economic affairs
* Institutions: Council will be annually accountable to the European Parliament

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6
Q

Fouchet Plan: Federalist version of the Treaty

A
  • 1962: other 5 states from the Little Europe propose a Federalist version of this Treaty for a European Political Union:
    • Instead of a “Union of States”, they propose a “European Union”
    • Goal of a common defence policy “within NATO framework”
    • Harmonization and unification of MS legislation
    • Including a Court of Justice and a General Secretary appointed by the Council
    • Later institutional merge between the Political Union and the other European Communities
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7
Q

French veto to UK adhesion to EC

A
  • Reminder: in 50s the British decline their participation on the European economic integration process. beginning of 60s reconsiders its position.
    • France is against British accession to European Communities: (1) Anglo-Saxon hegemony; (2) preserve Franco-German engine.
  • 1961-63: first British negotiations to EC adhesion. France vetoes
  • 1967: UK renews its application + France uses the same reasons as first veto, including monetary doubts. France proposes a partnership agreement with UK.
  • 1969: first changes of French position regarding British adhesion: (1) GFR is more politically “mature” regarding its Foreign Policy; (2) De Gaulle substituted by Georges Pompidou.
  • 1970: beginning of negotiations for the adhesion of UK, Ireland, Denmark and Norway. In 1973 all accede European Communities except Norway. From Six to Nine
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8
Q

Empty Chair crisis

A

Gaulle boycotted European institutions due to issues he had regarding new political proposals by the European Commission

  • De Gaulle (1) worried by some institutional developments at the Communities and (2) upset by the refusal of the Fouchet Plans:
    * 1965: Treaty merging the executive bodies of the 3 Communities
    * Against strengthening the European Parliament / Oversized European Commission
    * Against the extension of the QMV at the Council
  • in 1965 France provokes the Empty Chair crisis.
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9
Q

The Luxembourg Compromise

A

The Luxembourg Compromise was an agreement reached in 1966 to resolve the “empty chair crisis” which had caused a stalemate within European Economic Community.

  • EEC Foreign Affairs ministers meet at Luxembourg (1966) and accept the Luxembourg Compromise
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