1. From European Communities to European Union What Changed in 1993?

2. The Treaty on the European Union or the Treaty of Maastricht
Combined the Treaty of European Communities with new political objectives
The new political and economic union was called, the European Union
Treaty was originally meant to have a goal of forming a federal union, but was changed to, “an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe, in which decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen”

3. Events Preceding Maastricht
July 1987: The Single European Act - Plan to complete single market requirements by midnight Dec,
The SEA formally began Jan 1, formed greatest market and trading conglomerate in the world, lifted barriers, gave institutions new responsibilities, and had goal to reduce wealth gap between member states
Jacques Delors- head of commission in 1989, was key supporter
Many say France and Germany were main advocates - wanted to raise level of European competitiveness in the global economy, yet maintain Europe’s structure
The Maastricht Treaty would have likely not occurred if the SEA had failed

4. Process of Ratification
December 1991: Treaty on European Union (TEU) agreed at European Council summit in Maastricht, Netherlands
February 1992: Treaty signed by foreign and economics ministers of the Community
Two referendums and adjustments in Denmark - reject single currency
Discussions in British House of Commons - opt out
Slight majority in French referendum
Discussions in German Constitutional Court
Had to be ratified by 12 member states
November 1993: European Union became effective

5. EU: New Structure
Note: Lisbon Treaty will liquidate this structure

6. First Pillar: European Communities
Consisted of the three pre existing communities
Economic (EEC)
Coal and Steel (ECSC)
Atomic Energy (EURATOM)
These prior treaties accounted for citizenship, policies,
and the Economic and Monetary Union

7. Second Pillar: CFSP Common Foreign and Security Policy
A set of agreed foreign policy for the EU
Responsible for external challenges in post- Cold War Period
Relied on intergovernmental cooperation
Decisions must be unanimous in the Council
Allows NATO to handle territorial security
More focused on diplomacy and peace-keeping missions

8. Third Pillar: Justice and Home Affairs
Now called, Police and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters
Like the 2nd pillar, relied on intergovernmental cooperation
Discusses common interests of member states relating to the freedom of movement within the EU
Asylum
External borders
Immigration
Police, customs, and judicial cooperation
Drugs and fraud

9. Significant Changes New Structure
Timetable set for creation of single European Currency
EU assumed new responsibilities: consumer protection, public health, transport, education, social policy
More intergovernmental cooperation (seen in 2nd and 3rd pillars)
Creation of EU Citizenship: new rights for citizens
European Parliament given new powers: co-decision procedure - EP approval needed along with Council’s for certain laws to be created, also, the ability to approve or reject the appointments of the new Commission

10. Integration
June 1993: Meeting of European Council in Copenhagen - created criteria for EU membership
Copenhagen conditions: states wishing to join must be democratic with respect for human rights and rule of laws, have a functioning free market economy with the ability to handle competitive market pressures, and must be able to adopt the already existing EU laws and policies
When the Maastricht Treaty finally went into effect in November 1993, negotiations were already taking place with Austria, Sweden, and Finland for EU membership
Also, Cyprus, Malta, Switzerland, and Norway had entered preliminary stage by filing paperwork to join

11. Economic and Monetary Union
3 phase goal to create European currency: The Euro
Dec : establish free circulation of capital
Jan 1, Jan 1, 1999: member states must coordinate economic policies, reduce inflation and interest rates, and control of government deficit and debt in order to move on the stage three
January 1, January 1, 2002: Establish European Central Bank, fix exchange rates and introduce single currency
In 1999: Spain, Portugal, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, France, Germany, Austria, Ireland, and Finland all entered the third stage (UK, Denmark, Greece, and Sweden did not)

12. Sources Bomberg: “How Did We Get Here” (Desmond Dinan) EU2009.cz
Europa.eu
McCormick – “The Evolution of the EU”
Pinder and Usherwood- “How the EU Was Made”