Summary of International Integration and the European Union

## Introduction European integration is the process by which European countries cooperate more closely in political, economic and social areas. Starting after World War II, integration developed through institutions, treaties and shared policies that aim to prevent conflict, increase prosperity and enable easier movement of people and goods across borders. > Definition: European integration is the gradual unification of policies, institutions and markets of European countries to form closer cooperation and shared decision-making. ## Historical steps toward European integration ### Council of Europe (1949) - Founded by six states: Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, the Federal Republic of Germany and Italy. - Purpose: protect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law across member states. ### European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) (1951) - Created by the same six countries by the Paris Treaty. - Aim: regulate coal and steel markets to reduce the risk of rearmament and war by controlling materials used for weapons. ### From ECSC to European Economic Community and Euratom (1957) - Treaties of Rome (1957) established: - **European Economic Community (EEC)** — often called the Common Market, to harmonize economic policies and create free movement of persons, goods, services and capital. - **Euratom** — to coordinate nuclear research, ensure safety and support peaceful use of nuclear energy. ### Merger and the European Community (1965–1967) - In 1965 member states agreed to merge executive bodies of ECSC, EEC and Euratom; the arrangements took effect on 1 July 1967. - The merged institutions were known as the **European Community (EC)**. - Major achievement: tariffs on industrial products were abolished on 1 July 1968, advancing the customs union. ### European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (1960) - Founded by the Stockholm Convention. Original members included the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland and Portugal; later Iceland, Finland and Liechtenstein joined. - Current members: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. ### Enlargement, Maastricht and the European Union (1990s) - Eastern Europe underwent economic and political transformation in the late 20th century. - Germany was reunified in October 1990 and became part of the European structures. - The Treaty on European Union (Maastricht Treaty), signed 7 February 1992 and effective 1993, changed the European Community's name to **European Union (EU)**. - At the time of the source text the EU had 28 members (note: membership has changed since then). ## Main EU institutions (the Institutional Triangle) The three key institutions that work together to make and implement EU policy are the European Council, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission, together with the European Parliament. ### European Council - Role: sets the general political direction and priorities of the EU, but does not adopt laws. - Members: heads of state or government of member states, the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council. ### Council of the European Union (Council of Ministers) - Role: government ministers from each country meet to discuss, amend and adopt laws and coordinate policies. - Together with the European Parliament, it is one of the EU's main law-making bodies. - Jointly adopts the annual EU budget with the European Parliament. ### European Parliament - Role: directly elected legislative body with supervisory and budgetary powers. - Members: directly elected MEPs (in the source text: 751 including the President). - Elections every five years. ### European Commission - Role: the EU's politically independent executive arm; proposes new legislation and implements decisions. - Composition: one Commissioner from each member state led by the Commission President. > Definition: Institutional Triangle refers to the working relationship between the **European Commission**, th