From European Community to

European Union1985-1993

SEASingle European Act

The SEA was a major revision of the Rome Treaty that underpinned the single market program

The SEA strengthen democracy, achieved market liberalization, promote economic and social cohesion

Inter governmental conference began in September 1985 and ended in January 1986

Consisted of permanent representatives dealt with treaty revision and political directors of the foreign ministries

Conclusion of the SEA

Member state would coordinate their positions more closely on the political and

economical aspects of security and endeavor jointly to formulate and

implement a European foreign policy

SEASEA included significant changes on environment policy, research and development and cohesion between the rich and poor regions in the EC

Most national parliament held lively debates on the SEA and almost all voted in favor of ratification

Entered into force by 1987

SEASEA had potential for the EC rapid development

1- Provision for qualified majority voting could not only expedite the internal market but also encourage the council to be more flexible in areas where unanimity remained the norm

2- Successful Single Market Program might advance European Integration in related economic and social sectors

3- SEA’s endorsement of the white paper and formal extensions of the EC competence could strengthen the commission’s position

4- Introducing of a legislative cooperation procedure could help close the EC’s supposed dramatic deficit and boost the environment’s institutional importance

5- SEA’s provision for improved foreign policy coordination procedure might enhance the EC international standing

Mediterranean Enlargement

Greece, Portugal and Spain sought to join the EC in order to put an end to their relative international isolation, stabilize their newly established democratic regimes and help develop their comparatively antiquated economies

Greece

Negotiations started in July 1976Signed on May 1979Interred into force by January 1981

Portugal & Spain

Portugal applied to join the EC in 1977

Spain applied to join the EC in 1976

White PaperWhite Paper is considered as one of the most important document prepared for the European Council’s deliberation made by Delors and Cockfield for maintaining private sector support and the single Market

The white paper would complete the internal market directly on a wide range of policies and activities, in competition, research and development, environment, consumer protection, social affairs and EMU

What is Cohesion?

Why cohesion became one of the largest obstacle for the single market program?

EMUThe idea of Monetary Union was gaining ground in any case because of the perceived success of the European Monetary system

The European Council decided in June 1988 to study and propose concrete changes that would result in EMU, chaired by Deloros made up by Central bankers presidents

4 essential elements of EMU

1- Strong democratic legitimacy

2- More efficient institutions

3- Unity and coherence of economic, monetary and politic action

4- Common foreign and security policy

ECBEuropean Central Bank

Reinforcement the monetary cooperation among national central bank

The president of the Central Bank pointed out that the invisibility of the monetary policy ECB should replicate the German Central Bank