1. 1 EUROPEAN UNION LAW WEEK I HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2. 2 Idea of Integration after the 2. World War May 1950 Schuman Decleration by Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman 1951 Treaty of Paris established European Coal and Steel Community (ESCS) First Community and Founding Treaty

3. 3 Historical Background Founding Members: Germany,France,Italy, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Essential Features of ESCS: * New entity with international legal status * Separate and Autonomous Inst. * Transfer of legislative powers.

4. 4 Historical Background Institutions of the ESCS * High Authority * Assembly * Council of Ministers * Court of Justice

5. 5 Historical Background 1957 Treaties of Rome, establishing: A) European Atomic Energy Community B) European Economic Community (2 Founding Treaties) Each Community had a Council, Assembly, Court of Justice and a Commission

6. 6 Historical Background 1967 Merger Treaty (Not a founding T.) 3 Communities were brought together under the same institutions. 1965 Empty Chair Crisis Created by France and outcome was the Luxembourg Accord. 1972 UK Became member of EEC.

7. 7 Historical Background 1973 Ireland and Denmark joined 1972-1986 Inactivity in the Community Summit meetings-European Council 1979 Direct Elections of the Assembly 1981 Greece joined 1986 Spain and Portugal joined 1986 Single European Act (SEA)

8. 8 Historical Background Main Features of SEA -A step towards European union -New legislative process: Co-operation -Unanimity was replaced by QMV -Completion of internal market by 1992 -Assembly changed into European Parliament

9. 9 Historical Background The powers of the Parliament was increased Introduced new Community competencies Existence of the European Council was officially recognized Social Charter was introduced

10. 10 Historical Background 1992 Treaty on European Union- The Maastricht Treaty: Comprehensive amendment of the Treaty of Rome Set out series of political intentions Created the European Union Introduced 3 pillars, which are:

11. 11 Historical Background * Common Foreign and Security Policy, 3 existing Communities and Cooperation in Justice and Home Affairs Maintenance of acquis communautaire Introduced the single currency-EURO Introduced co-decision procedure Introduced the notion of Union citizenship

12. 12 Historical Background 1997 Treaty of Amsterdam Amendments to the existing Treaties Unemployment as the urgent problem