Evolution of the European Council
Introduction
To fully appreciate the position of the European Council within the European Union we first took a brief look at how the European Union came about. The European project first started soon after the second world with the creation of the ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community) to harmonise relations between the Nations of Europe and to prevent any further conflicts of the scale of the wars that had preceded its creation. The new spirit of cooperation aimed to bring about a new era of peace and prosperity across Europe. The founding nations were Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Luxemburg. The first enlargement came in 1973 when Ireland, Denmark and the United Kingdom joined the EU. Since then a further 18 countries have joined the Union making the European Union a family of 27 nations. There have been many treaties along the way which have shaped and formed how the European Union is today.
We are going to be looking at the evolution of the European Council as an institution within the European Union. We will be examining the treaties and policies that were made that shaped the roles and responsibilities of the European Council. We will also examine how the actions of the European Council itself brought about their powers as an institution. Furthermore we will discuss and examine the responsibilities the European Council now has and the role it plays in the governance of the Union. In addition we will discuss where the balance of power now lies within the Union or indeed if there is a single dominant institution.
Evolution of the European Council
The European Council first convened in 1974 as an informal discussion forum that heads of state or governments could meet to discuss issues regarding the direction of the European Community, although these meetings did take place from the late 1960’s on, it wasn’t until 1974 that the council was created.
The European Community felt that it was necessary for the heads of state and governments
To fully appreciate the position of the European Council within the European Union we first took a brief look at how the European Union came about. The European project first started soon after the second world with the creation of the ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community) to harmonise relations between the Nations of Europe and to prevent any further conflicts of the scale of the wars that had preceded its creation. The new spirit of cooperation aimed to bring about a new era of peace and prosperity across Europe. The founding nations were Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Luxemburg. The first enlargement came in 1973 when Ireland, Denmark and the United Kingdom joined the EU. Since then a further 18 countries have joined the Union making the European Union a family of 27 nations. There have been many treaties along the way which have shaped and formed how the European Union is today.
We are going to be looking at the evolution of the European Council as an institution within the European Union. We will be examining the treaties and policies that were made that shaped the roles and responsibilities of the European Council. We will also examine how the actions of the European Council itself brought about their powers as an institution. Furthermore we will discuss and examine the responsibilities the European Council now has and the role it plays in the governance of the Union. In addition we will discuss where the balance of power now lies within the Union or indeed if there is a single dominant institution.
Evolution of the European Council
The European Council first convened in 1974 as an informal discussion forum that heads of state or governments could meet to discuss issues regarding the direction of the European Community, although these meetings did take place from the late 1960’s on, it wasn’t until 1974 that the council was created.
The European Community felt that it was necessary for the heads of state and governments
References: Nugent N, (2010) The Government and Politics of the European Union, 7th edition, Hampsire, Palgrave and Mc Millan. Puetter, U (2012) The European Council has become the new centre of political gravity in the EU, 30/10/12, blogs.ise.ac.uk, 3/11/12 Europa.eu, 2012, The institutions of the unions, www.europa.eu, 4/11/12 Bibliography Carolan, Bruce, European Law 2nd edition, 2009 Davies, Karen, Understanding European Law 4th edition, 2011 Kent, Penolope, Law of the European Union, 2001