Category: Reflections

The reformulation of the social policy of the Community   The preamble to the original EC Treaty set out as its main long-term objectives “the constant improvement of the living and working conditions” of the people of the...

(1) The Single European Act (SEA)    The SEA was signed on 17 and 28 February 1986 and came into effect on 1 July 1987. It was not very ambitious (which explains its acceptance by the Member States), but had much potential for...

Relaunch of European integration   The early 1980s witnessed a new attitude of Member States towards the Community.   The unexpected emergence of enthusiasm, optimism and commitment to European integration, and a political will...

The Community from 1970 to 1985 – years of stagnation   From 1970 to 1985 the Community was in a state of stagnation. This so-called “Euro sclerosis” can be explained partially by the difficult international situation, but more...

Establishment of European Political Co-operation (EPC)   The Hague Summit decided to examine the best ways of achieving progress in the establishment of a political union. In October 1970 the Davignon Report (named after its...

The 1969 Hague Summit   An important development in shaping future co-operation between Member States, outside the Communities’ framework, took place at the proposal of Georges Pompidou, the successor to Charles de Gaulle.     A...

The Merger Treaty   The idea of rationalizing the institutional structure of the three Communities was first introduced by the Convention on Certain Institutions Common to the European Communities of 25 March 1957.     The...

The Luxembourg Accord   The first disagreement among the Member States occurred in 1965. It is known as the “empty chairs” crisis, as France refused to attend Council meetings from July 1965 to January 1966. The then president...