Treaty for European Union

Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman set the decisive tone for the economic and political integration of the states of Western Europe. This is to ensure future peace in Europe and the growth in people's welfare.

Robert Schuman		Konrad Adenauer

In 1951 the European Coal and Steel Community (Montanunion) is founded. In this supra-national organization the coal and steel industries of six participating countries (the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg) are subordinated to common supervision and a common market. In 1957 the six member states of the Montanunion sign the Treaties of Rome. They found the European Economic Union (EEU), called the European Community (EC) after 1967, and the European Community for Nuclear Energy (EURATOM). The member states abolish mutual tariff boundaries, liberalize their common market, and carry out a common industrial and agrarian policy. European law, enacted by organs of the EC, has priority over national law of the member states. The highest organ of the EC is the Council of Ministers. Other organs are the European Commission in Brussels, which oversees adherence to laws and regulations passed by the EC, the European Parliament, and the European Court seated in Luxemburg.

The EC grows to a community of twelve through the adherence of Denmark, Great Britain and Ireland (1973), Greece (1981), and Spain and Portugal (1986). The citizens of the member states are able in 1979 for the first time directly to elect delegates to the European Parliament.

In December 1991 the 12 chiefs of state and governments agree at Maastricht on a treaty that will constitute the basis for completion before the turn of the century of the European Economic and Currency Union (EECU). The EC is to be transformed into a political union.

The Treaty for European Union is signed February 1992 and enters into force on January 1, 1993. The Maastricht Treaty has far reaching consequences for citizens of the member states: they can settle in any country of the EC to carry out a profession; wherever they may settle they can take part in local elections. Border controls are abolished step by step (Schengen Agreement). Goods, services, and capital can be offered across the former borders without restrictions.

The days of national currencies are also numbered: as of January 1, 1999, a unified European currency, the Euro, is to be introduced.

Summit of the European Community on December 12, 1992 ©Bundesbildstelle

The completion of the common domestic market is accompanied by far-reaching cooperation of the member states. It is aimed first at a common foreign and security policy and finally also at strengthening the European position in global negotiations. Classical spheres of domestic policy are increasingly raised to the European level. For example, new cooperative developments in police and asylum policy are introduced.

Many of the states of the former East Bloc, which have entered the difficult road to democracy and the market economy, hope for financial support and advice from the EC. In the long run, the countries of East and Southeast Europe hope to enter the Community. For the European Union, engaged in deepening and consolidating the union inward, the question is thereby raised also of expansion, involving multi-layered and far-reaching decisions for the future.