Unit 3. The European integration process (pt.2) Flashcards
The EEC in the 60’s
At first: inmediate success - other countries want to join.
Friction between intergovernmentalist and federalist visions about Common Agricultural Policy -> budget
Charles de Gaulle (France) causes “the empty chair crisis” in the Council in 1965.
1966 -> Luxembourg compromise - right of veto for member states in the Council and more focus on countries’ interest.
The Merger Treaty
Brussels treaty signed in 1965 and entered into force in 1967.
Objective: merge the ECSC, EEC and EURATOM to streamline and consolidate these institutions to improve efficiency and coherence in the decision-making process.
Proposal: one single Commission of the Communities that would replace the three separate one of the communities.
The Hague Summit 1969
Crucial moment in European integration history.
*Enlargment of the European Communities (especially for the UK).
*French new president Georges Pompidou did NOT exercise veto.
*Extension of the European Parliament’s budgetary power.
*More common policies in various sectors (trade, agriculture, foreign affairs, etc.).
*Movement towards Economic and Monetary Union.
*The use of Summits as a new way to take decisions.
Eurosclerosis
Stagnation (economically or polically) in EU institutions in the 1970’s.
*Global economic challenges such as high oil prices, high inflation, economic recessions.
*Rigid labor markets with strong labor unions and employment protection.
*Monetary and exchange rate stability was not achieved.
*Focus on welfare state programs led to incresed public spending.
*Luxembourg veto -> impedes integration.
Creation of the European Council
Council decides that European Parliament should be directly elected.
European Monetary System starts to work (without UK)
*Goal: to stabilize the European currencies and promote monetary cooperation.
The 80’s: new optimism
Concern about economic and tecnological backwardness of Europe- -> competing with Japan and USA through cooperation.
Mitterand and Kohl take power: more federalist visions.
1984: Fointainebleau summit: new agreements to make progress in the integration process.
*Establishment of a single internal market by the en 1992.
*Mayor revision of the Treaty of Rome.
Single European Act
Signed: February 1986
Objective: reform the institutions to prepare for the accession of Portugal and Spain and to accelerate the decision - making process with the objective of introducing an internal market.
Significant changes
1. Extend the powers of the Union.
2. Create a large internal market for 1993.
3. New powers in monetary and social policy, economic and social cohesion, research and technological development, enviroment, foreign policy cooperation.
4. Change from unanimity to qualified majority for decision making in many areas.
5. Stronger role for the European Parliament.
Key role in weakening: Soviet Union
End of economic support
1985: Gorbachov Soviet leader
Glasnost and perestroika
No military support for satellite states
Changes cause confusion
GDR: national identity based on ideological identity
The reunification of Germany
November 9th, 1989, fall of the Berlin Wall- end of the Cold War era.
Federal Republic of German chancellor Helmut Kohl
Ten point plan of Federal Republic of German chancellor Helmut Kohl
Economic support for German Democratic Republic.
Condition: Free elections.
It had the support from President Bush Sr.
Negotiations with Gorvachov.
October 3rd 1990: official reunification.
The reunified Germany
German Democratic Republic becomes part of Federal Republic of Germany.
*imposition of Westen political, economic and social system.
Successor to SED (Socialist Unity Party of Germany): PDS (Party of Democratic Socialism)
New desing of constitution.
Federal State: Central government and 16 federal states.
*High level of autonomy
*Priority: federal law.
Treaty of Maastricht
In November 1991 emerged the treaty of Maastricht
Four other trends are equally important
The irresistible rise of belief in Treaty change
The desirability of tidying up informal change
The need for institutional innovation
Policy spill-over.
