2. Cronología histórica del proceso de integración. Adhesiones y tratados

Historical Evolution of European Integration

Post-World War II Developments

• The video begins by discussing the historical evolution of European integration, focusing on the aftermath of World War II and the subsequent creation of organizations in Europe.

• In 1951, the Treaty of Paris was signed, leading to the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) on July 23, 1952, with six founding countries: Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Key Treaties and Communities

• The Treaty of Rome in 1957 marked the formation of the European Economic Community (EEC), a significant economic union that lasted until 2002.

• The same year saw the signing of a treaty establishing Euratom (European Atomic Energy Community), which remains active today and includes Switzerland as an associated state since 2014.

Major Events in the 1960s

• In 1962, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was created to support farmers and ensure food safety for Europeans.

• The Brussels Treaty in 1965 led to a merger creating a single Council of Ministers and Commission for all three communities: ECSC, EEC, and Euratom.

• By 1968, cross-border free trade emerged among six member states through tax eliminations on goods exchanged between them.

Progress in Monetary Union

• The first plan for a single currency arose in 1970 with the introduction of a mechanism to stabilize exchange rates among member currencies.

• This mechanism was implemented in 1972 as a crucial step towards introducing the euro three decades later.

Expansion and Democratic Milestones

• The first enlargement occurred in 1973 when Denmark, Ireland, and the UK joined; Norway opted out after a referendum.

• Significant democratic progress was made with direct elections to the European Parliament starting in 1979.

Further Expansions in the '80s

• Two expansions took place during this decade: Greece joined in 1981 followed by Spain and Portugal in 1986.

• The Schengen Agreement signed in 1985 allowed passport-free travel across borders within participating countries.

• Additionally, the Single European Act was signed in 1986 to enhance institutional efficiency and empower Parliament's role.

Advancements During the '90s

• A major milestone occurred with completion of a single market allowing free movement for people, goods, services, and capital across EU nations.

The Evolution of the European Union

Key Milestones in EU Development

• In 1997, the Amsterdam Treaty was signed, preparing the EU for new member states and increasing the powers of the European Parliament, which now requires approval for Commission presidents.

• The early 2000s marked a shift towards greater transparency in decision-making within the EU. The Charter of Fundamental Rights was proclaimed in December 2000, ensuring significant rights for citizens and residents.

• The Nice Treaty was signed in January 2001 to reform decision-making processes ahead of Eastern European countries joining. This period also saw the introduction of the Euro as legal tender across member states starting in 2002.

Expansions and Treaties

• Major expansions occurred with ten new countries joining on May 1, 2004 (Czech Republic, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland), followed by Romania and Bulgaria in 2007.

• The Lisbon Treaty was approved on October 13, 2007 and came into effect on January 1, 2009. It aimed to enhance democracy and efficiency within the EU after a failed attempt at a European Constitution.

Challenges Faced by the EU

• The Lisbon Treaty incorporated many provisions from the proposed Constitution and updated previous treaties like Maastricht and Rome while introducing fundamental rights protections.

• By late decade challenges arose including financial crises that tested integration efforts. A defined Euro governance area emerged to address these issues effectively.

Recognition and Further Integration

• The European Central Bank played a crucial role during economic difficulties alongside unprecedented political monetary cooperation through mechanisms like the European Stability Mechanism.

• In recognition of its contributions to peace and democracy in Europe, the EU received the Nobel Peace Prize. This acknowledgment spurred further commitment to integration efforts.

Recent Developments

• Croatia joined as a member state in 2013 following ten years of application processes; this expanded membership to twenty-eight states but also introduced new challenges such as Brexit discussions initiated by UK Prime Minister David Cameron's promise for a referendum.

• On June 23, 2016, approximately 17 million Britons voted to leave the EU (52% majority). Following extensive negotiations post-referendum, Brexit officially took place on January 31, 2020.

Ongoing Objectives

• Post-Brexit challenges include rising populism and terrorism threats alongside global issues like climate change and pandemics (e.g., COVID-19), prompting innovative solutions from institutions focused on citizen welfare.