Creation of the European Union

History of the EU: Creation of the European Union

Introduction to Creation of the European Union

In the late 1980s, sweeping political changes led the EC once again to increase cooperation and integration. As Communism crumbled in Eastern Europe, many formerly Communist countries looked to the EC for political and economic assistance. The EC agreed to give aid to many of these countries, but decided not to allow them to join the EC immediately. An exception was made for East Germany, which was automatically incorporated into the EC after German reunification.

In the wake of the rapid political upheaval, West Germany and France proposed an intergovernmental conference (IGC) to pursue closer European unity. An IGC is a meeting between members that begins the formal process of changing or amending EC treaties. Another IGC had occurred earlier, in 1989, to prepare a timetable and structure for monetary union, in which members of the community would adopt a single currency. British prime minister Margaret Thatcher opposed calls for increased European unity, but in 1990 John Major became prime minister and adopted a more conciliatory approach. The IGCs began work on a series of agreements that would become the Treaty on European Union.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

Guide to Creation of the European Union

More Topics about the European Union

European Economic Area, European Union, European Union History (including European Union Early Cooperation, Benelux Customs Union, European Coal and Steel Community, European Economic Community, European Community, Expansion of the EC, Single European Act, Creation of the European Union, Treaty on European Union, Amsterdam Treaty, Treaty of Nice, Treaty of Lisbon, Monetary Union and EU Growing Accountability), EU Pillar System, EU Major Bodies Structure, European Commission, Council of the European Union, European Parliament, European Court of Justice, Court of Auditors, European Central Bank, Economic and Social Committee, Committee of the Regions, European Union Policies, Common Agricultural Policy, Common Fisheries Policy,

EU Economic Differences, European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, Cohesion Fund, European Investment Bank, European Monetary System, Economic and Monetary Union, EU International Relations, EU Expansion,

EU and Non-European Nations and European Union Future.