Projet COMENIUS – décembre 2003 – Version anglaise (vidéo)

Geographic enlargement

and

development of the institutions

Every constitution is:

A political instrument

A judicial structure

A historical moment

A work of literature

The first steps: 6 countries in the European Union

May 9, 1950.The Declaration Shuman .

April 18, 1951 .ECSC

March 25, 1957 .Treaty of Rome,EEC (European Economic Community) .

1962CAP (Common Agricultural Policy).

“Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity.” (Robert Shuman)

« from Szczecin to Trieste… the Berlin wall. »

1974Creation of the Council of the European Union .

1979•The European Parliament is elected by direct universal suffrage .

•Birth of the

– ECU (European Currency Unit)

- EMS (European Monetary System)

Free Trade in Northern Europe !

19739 countries In Europe .

10 countries in the Union.

1981Greece joins the Union .

November 9, 1989. Fall of the Berlin Wall.

October 3, 1990 .Reunification of Germany.

The years of enthusiasm: 1982- 1992 !

1986 12 countries in the Union, Spain and Portugal become members.

“Single (European) Act”.

1985Schengen agreements; past and present.

October 3, 1990 .Reunification of Germany .

199515 countries in the Union.

1997Treaty of Amsterdam. - Enhanced cooperation.

•- Community employment policy.

•- Community social policy.

The years of doubt. 1992- 2000 !1991Break up of the USSR.

1992Treaty of Maastricht .-The Parliament is granted more powers.

- European citizenship

- Intergovernmental cooperation as reguards the CFSP as well as justice and domestic affairs.

- Launching of the EMU(Economic and Monetary Union) .

1999Birth of the Euro

The treaty of Nice: The Charter.2000

June 20 , 2003. The draft treaty establishing a constitution for Europe is handed in Thessaloniki to the Council of the European Union.

Twenty First century. Further enlargement of the Union !

January 1, 2002. The euro in the pocket.

February 28, 2002. Convention on the future of the Union.

October 4, 2003. Opening of the IGC in Rome (intergovernmental conference).

May 1, 2004. 25 countries in the Union.

28 tomorrow?

1948. Creation of the OEEC, congress in The Hague and creation of the European Council.This is the starting point of a unique historic dynamic. The

Union at peace and for peace.

Over half a century later, the European convention has profoundly marked the history of the continent; in 1989 the Fall of the Berlin

Wall raises new issues in this rapidly developing process.

Europe’s geography and power is a dual concept that remains to be invented in order to allow a Union

of citizens to make decisions together about their destiny and propose fresh solutions to emerging

world problems.

  Hungary

Slovenia

Romania

Czech Republic

Germany

Austria

Belgium

Denmark

Spain

Finland

United Kingdom

Greece

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

The Netherlands

Portugal

Sweden

Poland

Latvia

Member states.

Slovakia

Estonia

Lithuania

Bulgaria

MaltaCyprus

France

The Institutions today.

Composed of the Heads of States and Governments (25 in 2004). Four meetings a year since 1974.

Legislative body representing all the Member States, sitting in Brussels. They meet in specialised work groups : the Ministers of Trade (Ecofin Council) , the Ministers of Agriculture etc…

Legislative body; sitting in Strasburg. Since 1979 the Members of Parliament have been elected by universal suffrage for 5 years; 434 in 1979, there are now 626 of them.

Commission

Supranational body sitting in Brussels composed of commissioners (13 in 1979,20 in 2003) appointed by the Member States, in charge of the “Common good of the Community” .

It generates impetus

It arbitrates conflicts within the council of

Ministers

. It proposes legislation and directives to the 2 legislative bodies

Parliamentary intermediary between the Council of the ministers and the Parliament (endowed with a

power of co-decision).

European laws; common and compulsory for all Member States

Proposed changes.

Creation of a post of President elected for two and a half years

To be reformed when Europe reaches 28 Member States.

Representation proportional to the population of each Member State.

Election of the President by the Parliament after a proposal of the Council.

From 2009 onwards,reduction to 15 of the number of Commissionners.

Creation of a post of Foreign Minister

Generalisation of the vote by qualified majority: Decision taken by a majority of the Member States representing 60% of the population.

Council of the Council of the European UnionEuropean Union

Council of Ministers

Parliament

The Enlargement : A few figures .

Europe - 15 Europe - 25 Evolution

Land area 3 191 120 km² 3 929 712 km² 23,10%

Population 378 million 453 million 19,80%

GDP 8 826 billion euros 9 230 billion euros 4,60%

« Diversitatis Unita »

Thank you for your attention .

Work well !

Slide show made by :

Denis Bauer

Alain Jullian

December 2003

With the help

of Jean-Pierre Stella

and

Stéphanie Constans-Gonzalez