Evolution de l'intégration européenne

History of European Integration and the European Parliament

The European Union has evolved through a series of treaties and institutional developments aimed at fostering peace, economic cooperation, and political unity among European nations. This process began in the aftermath of World War II, driven by the desire for Franco-German reconciliation and a common future.

The First Treaties (1951-1957)

The foundation of European integration was laid by the **Treaty of Paris** in 1951, establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). This treaty pooled the coal and steel industries of six countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands), creating an executive 'High Authority', a Parliamentary Assembly, a Council of Ministers, and a Court of Justice. The ECSC was seen as a first step towards a 'European Federation'. Following this, the **Treaties of Rome** in 1957 established the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom).

• The **EEC** aimed to create a **common market** based on the four freedoms of movement: goods, persons, capital, and services, and to eliminate customs duties between member states.
• **Euratom** focused on coordinating the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

These treaties were concluded for an unlimited period, giving them a quasi-constitutional status. The initial failure to establish a European Defence Community (EDC) in 1954 highlighted the need for concrete economic achievements to build de facto solidarity.

Developments up to the Single European Act (1960s-1980s)

Early developments included the creation of Community **own resources** and increased **budgetary powers** for Parliament, notably through the Treaty of Luxembourg (1970) and the Treaty of Brussels (1975), which also established the **Court of Auditors**. Direct universal suffrage for the European Parliament was introduced in 1976. **Enlargement** began with the UK, Denmark, and Ireland joining in 1973, followed by Greece in 1981, and Portugal and Spain in 1986. The **European Monetary System (EMS)** was set up in 1978 to address monetary instability. The **Single European Act (SEA)**, signed in 1986 and effective in 1987, significantly amended the Treaty of Rome.

• It aimed to complete a large **internal market** by 1993, extending cooperation into areas like monetary policy, social policy, economic and social cohesion, research, technological development, and the environment.
• The SEA improved the **decision-making capacity** of the Council of Ministers by extending **qualified majority voting** to several new policy areas.
• It also strengthened the **European Parliament's** role by making Community agreements subject to its assent and introducing a cooperation procedure, granting Parliament genuine legislative powers.

The Maastricht and Amsterdam Treaties (1990s)

The **Maastricht Treaty** (Treaty on European Union), signed in 1992 and effective in 1993, marked a significant step by creating a **European Union** based on a three-pillar structure:

1. The **European Communities** (first pillar): focusing on the single market, economic and social policy, and the introduction of a single monetary policy. This pillar saw sovereignty transferred from member states to community institutions.
2. The **Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)** (second pillar): promoting intergovernmental cooperation to safeguard common values, strengthen security, and promote democracy and human rights.
3. **Cooperation in the fields of Justice and Home Affairs (JHA)** (third pillar): aiming for a high level of safety within an area of freedom, security, and justice, covering areas like external border controls, combating crime, and judicial cooperation.

The **Amsterdam Treaty**, signed in 1997 and effective in 1999, prepared the Union for future enlargement by enhancing efficiency and democracy.

• It increased the Union's powers in areas like employment coordination and incorporated the Agreement on Social Policy into the EC Treaty.
• The **codecision procedure**, making the Parliament and Council co-legislators on an equal footing, was extended to more policy areas.
• It introduced provisions for **closer cooperation** among member states, allowing some to use common institutions for deeper integration under specific conditions.
• The treaty also streamlined existing provisions and set the maximum number of MEPs at 700.

The Treaty of Nice and the Convention on the Future of Europe (2000s)

The **Treaty of Nice**, signed in 2001 and effective in 2003, aimed to prepare the EU for its eastward and southward enlargements. Key objectives included making EU institutions more efficient and legitimate.

• It adjusted the **weighting of votes in the Council** and the composition of the Commission, introducing a "demographic safety net" for qualified majority voting.
• The maximum number of MEPs was set at 732, and Parliament's legislative powers were slightly broadened.
• Reforms to the **judicial system** increased the powers of the Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance.
• Enhanced cooperation provisions were extended to cover all three pillars.

Following questions raised in the Laeken Declaration, the **European Convention on the Future of Europe** (2002-2003) sought to draft a new legal basis for the Union. It produced the draft **Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe**, which aimed to simplify the EU's instruments, increase democracy and transparency, and create a constitution for citizens. Although adopted by an Intergovernmental Conference in 2004, it was not ratified due to "no" votes in referendums in France and the Netherlands. The European Parliament played a significant role in shaping the Convention's outcome.

The Treaty of Lisbon (2007)

The **Treaty of Lisbon**, signed in 2007 and effective in 2009, emerged from the reflection period after the rejection of the Constitutional Treaty. It renamed the European Community Treaty as the "**Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union**" and replaced the term 'Community' with 'Union'.

• It clarified the Union's **competences**, distinguishing between exclusive, shared, and supporting powers, and granted the EU full **legal personality**.
• A formal procedure for member states wishing to **withdraw** from the Union (Article 50 TEU) was introduced.
• The remaining aspects of the third pillar (police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters) were absorbed into the first pillar, making them subject to the **ordinary legislative procedure** (qualified majority and codecision).
• **Democracy** was enhanced through principles of democratic equality, representative democracy, and participatory democracy, including a citizens' initiative.
• The **Charter of Fundamental Rights** acquired legal binding character.

The Lisbon Treaty brought significant institutional changes:

• The **European Parliament's** legislative powers were significantly increased through the 'ordinary legislative procedure', now applying to over 70 policy areas. It also gained full parity with the Council on annual budget approval and elects the President of the Commission. The maximum number of MEPs was set at 751.
• The **European Council** was formally recognized as an EU institution, providing political direction and priorities, and a long-term presidency was established.
• A new position of **Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR)** was created, responsible for CFSP and assisted by the European External Action Service.
• The **Council** implemented a **double majority voting** system (55% of members representing 65% of the population).
• The **Commission's** political legitimacy was increased, and the **Court of Justice of the European Union's** jurisdiction was extended to almost all Union activities.

The treaty also strengthened the principle of **subsidiarity** by involving national parliaments and introduced new or extended policies in areas like environment (including climate change), energy, intellectual property rights, and a **mutual defence clause** under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

Key Takeaways

• European integration began with economic cooperation (coal and steel) and gradually expanded into broader economic, social, and political spheres.
• Successive treaties consistently aimed to deepen integration, enhance democratic legitimacy, and improve institutional efficiency.
• The European Parliament's role has steadily grown, gaining significant legislative and oversight powers over time.
• The EU's legal and institutional framework has adapted to internal needs and external challenges, such as enlargement and evolving global dynamics.