European Union‘s golden anniversary - On Line Opinion - 30/3/2007
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European Union‘s golden anniversary
ByIoan Voicu - posted Friday, 30 March 2007Sign Up for free e-mail updates!
Today‘s European Union is the culmination of a long and arduouseffort in diplomacy and international law but there remains work to bedone before its vision reaches fruition.
On March 25 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the ‘‘Treaties ofRome‘‘ signed on March 25, 1957 by France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, theNetherlands and Luxembourg. These legal instruments led to the creationof an original entity, the aim of which was to accomplish acomprehensive economic integration by a common market. Morespecifically, the first Rome Treaty, consisting of 240 articles,established the European Economic Community (EEC), and the secondtreaty created the European Atomic Energy Community, known as Euratom.Both treaties entered into force on January 1, 1958.
The establishment of the EEC as a common market had two mainobjectives. The first was to radically transform the conditions oftrade and manufacturing on the territories of the EEC. The second wasthe functional construction of a political Europe and a meaningful steptoward the closer unification of Europe.
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The celebration of events which took place half a century ago cannotbe only limited to Europe, as it is a source for wider political anddiplomatic momentum and impartial assessments on all continents.
In the preamble of the first Rome Treaty, its signatories declarednot only their determination ‘‘to lay the foundations of an ever closerunion among the peoples of Europe,‘‘ but in the same text they had thevision to clearly assert their intention ‘‘to confirm the solidaritywhich binds Europe and the overseas countries‘‘ and ‘‘to ensure thedevelopment of their prosperity, in accordance with the principles ofthe Charter of the United Nations‘‘.
Institutionally, theSingle European Act (1986)was the first major reform of the Treaties of Rome, as it set theobjective of achieving the internal market by 1992. The Treaty onEuropean Union, known as the ‘‘Maastricht Treaty‘‘(1992) brought together the European Communities and institutionalisedco-operation in the fields of foreign policy, defence, police andjustice together under one umbrella, to be officially called theEuropean Union. It marked the transition from an economic community toa political union based on shared values.
TheTreaty of Amsterdam(1997) increased the powers of the EU, transferring to the communitiessome of the areas which were previously subject to intergovernmentalco-operation in the fields of justice and home affairs. It introducedmeasures for bringing the EU closer to its citizens and enabling anenhanced co-operation.
TheTreaty of Nice(2000) dealt with the issues related to the EU‘s enlargement. Itsimplified the rules for an enhanced co-operation and made the judicialsystem more effective.
Other treaties should also be mentioned, particularly the Treaty ofAccession of the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland (1972), whichincreased the number of member states of the European Community fromsix to nine.
Similar treaties were signed with Greece (1979); Spain and Portugal(1985); Austria, Finland and Sweden (1994); Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary,Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia andSlovenia (2003); Bulgaria and Romania (2005). These treaties increasedthe number of the EU members to 27 with a total population of nearly500 million people.
Finally, in 2004, after long multilateral negotiations, theTreaty for a Constitution of Europe(TCE) replaced the previous treaties, with the exception of the EuratomTreaty. The drafting of the TCE, a complex legal instrument of morethan 65,000 words, was a very difficult political and diplomaticexercise, but it was an integral part of the strong aspirations forbuilding an organisation with a distinct identity, able to speak withone strong voice in the world community. With the envisagedestablishment of an EU foreign minister, the EU might become a globaldiplomatic actor with broad strategic plans.
The TCE was signed on October 29, 2004 and was expected to enterinto force on November 1, 2006. It has been ratified by 18 countries,but its rejection in 2005 by France and the Netherlands stopped theprocess of further ratifications and determined the adoption of aperiod of ‘‘reflection‘‘ which is still valid today.
Germany, as current holder of the EU presidency, suggested that are-negotiated TCE would have to be agreed upon by the end of 2007 orthe beginning of 2008, so there would be enough time to ratify it in2009. Irrespective of the acceptance of such a calendar, a roadmap forfurther EU institutional reform is a vital necessity in order to adaptit to its new dimensions and the formidable challenges of theirreversible process of globalisation.
Moderate Optimism
Even if the TCE‘s rejection in two countries led to a diplomaticsetback, the EU members might learn valuable lessons from Asean‘sdiplomacy according to which co-operation and decision-making shouldmove forward at a pace comfortable to all participants, withoutartificial celerity. An authentic consensus is needed to open the wayfor relevant decisions on how to further improve the function of the EU.
The establishment over the years of official relations between EUwith Asean, the African Union, the Organisation of American States, andwith many countries, including the USA, China, India, Japan, Russia andAustralia, illustrates the universal significance and impact ofdecisions taken in Rome in March 1957. The European Commission isrepresented by permanent delegations in 130 countries in all continents(excepting Antarctica), as well as at five international organisations,making it the fourth largest diplomatic service in the world, andepitomising a remarkable new reality in a world of traditionalstate-centric diplomacy.
The EU works with all United Nations (UN) agencies across virtuallythe entire spectrum of UN activities, from development policy andpeacebuilding, to humanitarian assistance, environment, human rights,culture and fighting terrorism. The EU is the largest financialcontributor to the UN system and a strong promoter of effectivemultilateralism. In 2005 alone, the UN-EU co-operation extended to over80 developing countries and countries in transition.
Beyond any uncertainty about the future of the TCE, the EU membershave voluntarily entered into a intense relationship of mutualdependency more profound than in any international organisation.Collectively, they are determined to ensure a level of prosperity andstability previously unknown on their continent.
The EU is already a prestigious global trading power and aninfluential factor in world politics. More significantly, it is acommunity of shared values promoting all fundamental human rights,defending a way of life and a social model without precedent inhistory. It develops an active co-operation and solidarity, the rule oflaw and equal rights and obligations for European citizens.
The EU has a well acknowledged reputation for advocating peace, aviable future for our planet, sustainable development, environmentaland climate protection. It is now preparing a dynamic partnership witha younger sister - Asean - which will celebrate its 40th anniversary inAugust 2007.
Meanwhile, the 27 EU members have to look ahead to the next 50years, to reflect both on their main achievements and failures, whilemobilising their efforts around core priorities. Their conclusions aresummarised in the Berlin Declaration which is equally a celebratory andvisionary document addressing five top European values: solidarity,sustainability, accountability, security and promotion of Europe‘svalues in the world, a task which has never been more topical thantoday. There will be considerable work for many European generations togive tangibility to these values and make the EU a true success story.
The Berlin Declaration brings additional evidence that the impasseover the TCE cannot push the EU off course. It will continue to be anopen and dynamic institution. ‘‘Unity in diversity‘‘ is the permanentmotto for the EU. It contains a crucial commitment for the future. Itis politically fortified by the assessment that the EU‘s majorityconsider that by its spirit the TCE responds to their expectations byshowing the way towards a more democratic, more transparent, moreefficient and stronger Europe on the world arena. The TCE is not dead.In diplomacy, pessimism is not an option, while moderate optimism is aforce multiplier to be re-asserted by a vibrant EU.
The EU‘s positive balance strengthens the hope that beyond alltemporary obstacles this original entity will fulfill its historicmission and will enjoy a universally recognisable political identity.
Asian countries may contribute to it by shaping with the EU a robustintercontinental partnership capable of giving new functionaldimensions to the present world order. European and Asian countries areable to conduct complex negotiations leading to a win-win situation.They should further enhance the visibility of their dialogue andpartnership. Credibility always demands visibility. The EU is already awinning project. Its 50th anniversary offers invigorating politicalenergy and convincing evidence of its undisputable maturity.
The rest is destiny.
ByIoan Voicu - posted Friday, 30 March 2007Sign Up for free e-mail updates!
Today‘s European Union is the culmination of a long and arduouseffort in diplomacy and international law but there remains work to bedone before its vision reaches fruition.
On March 25 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the ‘‘Treaties ofRome‘‘ signed on March 25, 1957 by France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, theNetherlands and Luxembourg. These legal instruments led to the creationof an original entity, the aim of which was to accomplish acomprehensive economic integration by a common market. Morespecifically, the first Rome Treaty, consisting of 240 articles,established the European Economic Community (EEC), and the secondtreaty created the European Atomic Energy Community, known as Euratom.Both treaties entered into force on January 1, 1958.
The establishment of the EEC as a common market had two mainobjectives. The first was to radically transform the conditions oftrade and manufacturing on the territories of the EEC. The second wasthe functional construction of a political Europe and a meaningful steptoward the closer unification of Europe.
Advertisement
The celebration of events which took place half a century ago cannotbe only limited to Europe, as it is a source for wider political anddiplomatic momentum and impartial assessments on all continents.
In the preamble of the first Rome Treaty, its signatories declarednot only their determination ‘‘to lay the foundations of an ever closerunion among the peoples of Europe,‘‘ but in the same text they had thevision to clearly assert their intention ‘‘to confirm the solidaritywhich binds Europe and the overseas countries‘‘ and ‘‘to ensure thedevelopment of their prosperity, in accordance with the principles ofthe Charter of the United Nations‘‘.
Institutionally, theSingle European Act (1986)was the first major reform of the Treaties of Rome, as it set theobjective of achieving the internal market by 1992. The Treaty onEuropean Union, known as the ‘‘Maastricht Treaty‘‘(1992) brought together the European Communities and institutionalisedco-operation in the fields of foreign policy, defence, police andjustice together under one umbrella, to be officially called theEuropean Union. It marked the transition from an economic community toa political union based on shared values.
TheTreaty of Amsterdam(1997) increased the powers of the EU, transferring to the communitiessome of the areas which were previously subject to intergovernmentalco-operation in the fields of justice and home affairs. It introducedmeasures for bringing the EU closer to its citizens and enabling anenhanced co-operation.
TheTreaty of Nice(2000) dealt with the issues related to the EU‘s enlargement. Itsimplified the rules for an enhanced co-operation and made the judicialsystem more effective.
Other treaties should also be mentioned, particularly the Treaty ofAccession of the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland (1972), whichincreased the number of member states of the European Community fromsix to nine.
Similar treaties were signed with Greece (1979); Spain and Portugal(1985); Austria, Finland and Sweden (1994); Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary,Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia andSlovenia (2003); Bulgaria and Romania (2005). These treaties increasedthe number of the EU members to 27 with a total population of nearly500 million people.
Finally, in 2004, after long multilateral negotiations, theTreaty for a Constitution of Europe(TCE) replaced the previous treaties, with the exception of the EuratomTreaty. The drafting of the TCE, a complex legal instrument of morethan 65,000 words, was a very difficult political and diplomaticexercise, but it was an integral part of the strong aspirations forbuilding an organisation with a distinct identity, able to speak withone strong voice in the world community. With the envisagedestablishment of an EU foreign minister, the EU might become a globaldiplomatic actor with broad strategic plans.
The TCE was signed on October 29, 2004 and was expected to enterinto force on November 1, 2006. It has been ratified by 18 countries,but its rejection in 2005 by France and the Netherlands stopped theprocess of further ratifications and determined the adoption of aperiod of ‘‘reflection‘‘ which is still valid today.
Germany, as current holder of the EU presidency, suggested that are-negotiated TCE would have to be agreed upon by the end of 2007 orthe beginning of 2008, so there would be enough time to ratify it in2009. Irrespective of the acceptance of such a calendar, a roadmap forfurther EU institutional reform is a vital necessity in order to adaptit to its new dimensions and the formidable challenges of theirreversible process of globalisation.
Moderate Optimism
Even if the TCE‘s rejection in two countries led to a diplomaticsetback, the EU members might learn valuable lessons from Asean‘sdiplomacy according to which co-operation and decision-making shouldmove forward at a pace comfortable to all participants, withoutartificial celerity. An authentic consensus is needed to open the wayfor relevant decisions on how to further improve the function of the EU.
The establishment over the years of official relations between EUwith Asean, the African Union, the Organisation of American States, andwith many countries, including the USA, China, India, Japan, Russia andAustralia, illustrates the universal significance and impact ofdecisions taken in Rome in March 1957. The European Commission isrepresented by permanent delegations in 130 countries in all continents(excepting Antarctica), as well as at five international organisations,making it the fourth largest diplomatic service in the world, andepitomising a remarkable new reality in a world of traditionalstate-centric diplomacy.
The EU works with all United Nations (UN) agencies across virtuallythe entire spectrum of UN activities, from development policy andpeacebuilding, to humanitarian assistance, environment, human rights,culture and fighting terrorism. The EU is the largest financialcontributor to the UN system and a strong promoter of effectivemultilateralism. In 2005 alone, the UN-EU co-operation extended to over80 developing countries and countries in transition.
Beyond any uncertainty about the future of the TCE, the EU membershave voluntarily entered into a intense relationship of mutualdependency more profound than in any international organisation.Collectively, they are determined to ensure a level of prosperity andstability previously unknown on their continent.
The EU is already a prestigious global trading power and aninfluential factor in world politics. More significantly, it is acommunity of shared values promoting all fundamental human rights,defending a way of life and a social model without precedent inhistory. It develops an active co-operation and solidarity, the rule oflaw and equal rights and obligations for European citizens.
The EU has a well acknowledged reputation for advocating peace, aviable future for our planet, sustainable development, environmentaland climate protection. It is now preparing a dynamic partnership witha younger sister - Asean - which will celebrate its 40th anniversary inAugust 2007.
Meanwhile, the 27 EU members have to look ahead to the next 50years, to reflect both on their main achievements and failures, whilemobilising their efforts around core priorities. Their conclusions aresummarised in the Berlin Declaration which is equally a celebratory andvisionary document addressing five top European values: solidarity,sustainability, accountability, security and promotion of Europe‘svalues in the world, a task which has never been more topical thantoday. There will be considerable work for many European generations togive tangibility to these values and make the EU a true success story.
The Berlin Declaration brings additional evidence that the impasseover the TCE cannot push the EU off course. It will continue to be anopen and dynamic institution. ‘‘Unity in diversity‘‘ is the permanentmotto for the EU. It contains a crucial commitment for the future. Itis politically fortified by the assessment that the EU‘s majorityconsider that by its spirit the TCE responds to their expectations byshowing the way towards a more democratic, more transparent, moreefficient and stronger Europe on the world arena. The TCE is not dead.In diplomacy, pessimism is not an option, while moderate optimism is aforce multiplier to be re-asserted by a vibrant EU.
The EU‘s positive balance strengthens the hope that beyond alltemporary obstacles this original entity will fulfill its historicmission and will enjoy a universally recognisable political identity.
Asian countries may contribute to it by shaping with the EU a robustintercontinental partnership capable of giving new functionaldimensions to the present world order. European and Asian countries areable to conduct complex negotiations leading to a win-win situation.They should further enhance the visibility of their dialogue andpartnership. Credibility always demands visibility. The EU is already awinning project. Its 50th anniversary offers invigorating politicalenergy and convincing evidence of its undisputable maturity.
The rest is destiny.