THE EUROPEAN UNION AND IRELAND’S LINKS WITH EUROPE
● It also gave states the right to leave the EU, and it created the procedures for leaving.
How did greater powers for the EU promote international co-operation? Single European Act (1987)
Treaty on European Union (1993), or the Maastricht Treaty
The Treaty of Lisbon (2009)
Eliminated all remaining obstacles to free trade; created a single European market
Plans for single currency, euro Citizens of Europe
Co-operation in combatting crime
Increased powers of European Parliament Charter of Fundamental Rights
Profile – Jacques Delors, President of the European Commission
● Jacques Delors was President of the European Commission from 1985 to 1995. He became President at a time when the movement to European unity was stagnating (slowing down).
● He used his leadership skills and his powers of persuasion to get the countries of the EEC (EU) to agree to further steps toward European integration.
● He developed the European civil service (the Commission) and he co-operated with the European Parliament in furthering European unity.
● It was during his time in office that the Single European Act, the Maastricht Treaty and the progress toward the euro were agreed.
How did the institutions of the EU promote international co-operation?
The institutions of the EU were developed to create a balance between national and EU interests, and between big and small states.
They work to get agreement from all countries on new policies. ● In deciding on policy and laws, the EU tries to balance the national interest and the EU interest. It also tries to balance the powers between directly elected representatives in the European Parliament and ministers representing the individual countries.
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Even though MEPs are elected to represent their own countries, they sit in European-wide political groups. This is balancing the national interest and EU interest in developing international co-operation.
The EU is bringing countries together to co-operate in creating laws for the wider European Union.