The treaties
Treaty of Paris (ECSC), 1951
18 April 1951: the Treaty of Paris establishes the European Coal and Steel Community (ESCC)
Europa
The Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) , signed in Paris in 1951, brought together Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in a Community to organise the free movement of coal and steel and give free access to production sources. Measures to pool raw materials used in the manufacture of armaments were introduced with the specific aim of making the prospect of war between ECSC members materially impossible.
At the same time, a common High Authority was set up to supervise the market and ensure compliance with competition rules and price transparency. The institutions as we know them today stem from this Treaty.
Treaties of Rome, 1957
25 March 1957: signing of the Treaty of Rome
Europa
On 25 March 1957, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands signed two treaties in Rome:
- the first established the European Economic Community (EEC);
- the second established the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).
The purpose of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) was to create a common market and gradually align the Member States’ economic policies. Its stated aims were to promote the harmonious development of economic activities throughout the Community, foster continuous and balanced expansion, greater stability, accelerated improvement in the standard of living, and build closer relations between the signatory States.
The Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) was initially designed to co-ordinate the Member States’ research programmes for the civilian use of nuclear power. Today, it oversees the sharing of expertise, infrastructure and funding in the nuclear industry. It also provides a centralised monitoring system for supply security.
Single European Act, 1986
The Single European Act amended the treaties of Rome to give new impetus to European integration and complete the construction of the internal market. With the support of Jacques Delors, President of the European Commission, it revised the rules governing the functioning of the European institutions and expanded Community powers, particularly in the fields of research and development, the environment and common foreign policy.
Maastricht Treaty on European Union, 1992
7 February 1992:
signing of the Maastricht Treaty
Europa
The Treaty on European Union marked a new stage in European integration since it paved the way for political integration. It created a European Union consisting of three ‘pillars’: the European Communities (carrying on from the previous treaties), Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), and police and judicial co-operation in criminal matters. The Treaty established European citizenship, strengthened the powers of the European Parliament and launched Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), which led to the creation of the euro. At the same time, the EEC became the European Community (EC).
Treaty of Amsterdam, 1997
2 October 1997: signing of the
the Treaty of Amsterdam
Europa
The Treaty of Amsterdam was signed on 2 October 1997 and came into force on 1 May 1999. This treaty made advances in a number of areas. One part concerned freedoms, security and justice and areas relating directly to individuals’ rights, interests and well-being. Other provisions extended the scope of the common commercial policy and reformed the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). This treaty also entailed substantial institutional reforms with a view to the enlargement of the European Union to the Central and Eastern European countries.
Treaty of Nice, 2001
Europa
The Treaty of Nice, signed on 26 February 2001 and effective from 1 February 2003, was designed to introduce extensive institutional reform to allow the major enlargement of the European Union with the accession of the Central and Eastern European Countries. To do this, the Treaty of Nice amended the previous treaties, making adjustments in four areas: the size and composition of the Commission, the weighting of votes in the Council, the extension of qualified majority voting, and enhanced co-operation. It also gave greater powers to the European Parliament by extending the role of the co-decision procedure.
Treaty of Lisbon, 2007
13 December 2007:
signing of the Treaty of Lisbon, family photo of EU leaders
Europa
The Treaty of Lisbon was signed by the Member States on 13 December 2007. It is currently in the process of being ratified. The Treaty of Lisbon amends the European treaties currently in force but does not replace them. It establishes a more democratic and transparent European Union, strengthens the role of national parliaments and the European Parliament, introduces the right of the citizens’ initiative and a builds a clearer relationship between the Member States and the European Union. It also increases efficiency in the functioning of the EU with simplified working methods and voting rules. Above all, it gives the European Union more efficient and democratic institutions, by means of:
- the creation of the position of President of the European Council elected for a term of two and a half years;
- the appointment of a High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, who is also Vice-President of the European Commission;
- the introduction of a direct link between the selection of the Commission President and the results of the European elections;
- a Commission with fewer members;
- the introduction of new provisions for the future composition and functioning of the European Parliament (extension of the co-decision procedure; budgetary decision-making powers on an equal footing with the Council of the European Union; election of the Commission President on the recommendation of the European Council, based on the parliamentary majority resulting from the European elections).
Animation: Treaty of Lisbon, Government Information Service, French Prime Minister’s website (FR)
- Updated: 19.09.2008
