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European
Union Index
Constitutional Background
The EU is the rapidly growing
organization of the Common European Market, developed out of the EC
by the Maastricht Treaty in 1992. It comprises now (2002) 15 states and
will probably be enlarged by 10 states in 2004:
The EU uses different kinds
of agreements with non-memberstates:
Agreements About Trade and
Cooperation (i.e., simple cooperation agreements)
Free Trade Agreements
(e.g., 1960: EFTA, 1972: Switzerland)
Partnership and Cooperation
Agreements (Russia)
Europe-Agreements
These are the most important
agreements, providing for a transition period towards customs-free trade
while also granting trade advantages over the general GATT standards.
Cooperating states set up trade and diplomatic co-operation and prepare
full membership. (Bulgaria,
Czech
Republic, Estonia,
Hungary,
Latvia,
Lithuania,
Poland,
Slovakia,
Slovenia,
Romania).
History and News
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2010: Free Trade Zones with
11 of the 12 mediterranean countries are due according to the Declaration
of Barcelona.
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Oct 2002: EU announces that
it expects ten countries to be able to conclude negotiations at the Dec
2002 summit and join in 2004 (Czech Republic,
Cyprus,
Estonia,
Hungary,
Latvia,
Lithuania,
Malta,
Poland,
Slovakia,
Slovenia); an "objective" will be the entry
of Bulgaria and
Romania;
Turkey got no date at all.
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Dec 1999: Helsinki summit acknowledges
13 candidates for membership.
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21-22 June 1996: Florence summit
is blocked by the British beef issue.
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27 Nov 1995: Barcelona Meeting
introduces plans for a free trade zone in the Mediterranean by 2010.
©
1994 - 7. Sep. 2008
/ For corrections please contact
A. Tschentscher.
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