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European Union's golden anniversary

By Ioan Voicu - posted Friday, 30 March 2007


Today's European Union is the culmination of a long and arduous effort in diplomacy and international law but there remains work to be done before its vision reaches fruition.

On March 25 we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the ''Treaties of Rome'' signed on March 25, 1957 by France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. These legal instruments led to the creation of an original entity, the aim of which was to accomplish a comprehensive economic integration by a common market. More specifically, the first Rome Treaty, consisting of 240 articles, established the European Economic Community (EEC), and the second treaty created the European Atomic Energy Community, known as Euratom. Both treaties entered into force on January 1, 1958.

The establishment of the EEC as a common market had two main objectives. The first was to radically transform the conditions of trade and manufacturing on the territories of the EEC. The second was the functional construction of a political Europe and a meaningful step toward the closer unification of Europe.

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The celebration of events which took place half a century ago cannot be only limited to Europe, as it is a source for wider political and diplomatic momentum and impartial assessments on all continents.

In the preamble of the first Rome Treaty, its signatories declared not only their determination ''to lay the foundations of an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe,'' but in the same text they had the vision to clearly assert their intention ''to confirm the solidarity which binds Europe and the overseas countries'' and ''to ensure the development of their prosperity, in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations''.

Institutionally, the Single European Act (1986) was the first major reform of the Treaties of Rome, as it set the objective of achieving the internal market by 1992. The Treaty on European Union, known as the ''Maastricht Treaty'' (1992) brought together the European Communities and institutionalised co-operation in the fields of foreign policy, defence, police and justice together under one umbrella, to be officially called the European Union. It marked the transition from an economic community to a political union based on shared values.

The Treaty of Amsterdam (1997) increased the powers of the EU, transferring to the communities some of the areas which were previously subject to intergovernmental co-operation in the fields of justice and home affairs. It introduced measures for bringing the EU closer to its citizens and enabling an enhanced co-operation.

The Treaty of Nice (2000) dealt with the issues related to the EU's enlargement. It simplified the rules for an enhanced co-operation and made the judicial system more effective.

Other treaties should also be mentioned, particularly the Treaty of Accession of the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland (1972), which increased the number of member states of the European Community from six to nine.

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Similar treaties were signed with Greece (1979); Spain and Portugal (1985); Austria, Finland and Sweden (1994); Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia (2003); Bulgaria and Romania (2005). These treaties increased the number of the EU members to 27 with a total population of nearly 500 million people.

Finally, in 2004, after long multilateral negotiations, the Treaty for a Constitution of Europe (TCE) replaced the previous treaties, with the exception of the Euratom Treaty. The drafting of the TCE, a complex legal instrument of more than 65,000 words, was a very difficult political and diplomatic exercise, but it was an integral part of the strong aspirations for building an organisation with a distinct identity, able to speak with one strong voice in the world community. With the envisaged establishment of an EU foreign minister, the EU might become a global diplomatic actor with broad strategic plans.

The TCE was signed on October 29, 2004 and was expected to enter into force on November 1, 2006. It has been ratified by 18 countries, but its rejection in 2005 by France and the Netherlands stopped the process of further ratifications and determined the adoption of a period of ''reflection'' which is still valid today.

Germany, as current holder of the EU presidency, suggested that a re-negotiated TCE would have to be agreed upon by the end of 2007 or the beginning of 2008, so there would be enough time to ratify it in 2009. Irrespective of the acceptance of such a calendar, a roadmap for further EU institutional reform is a vital necessity in order to adapt it to its new dimensions and the formidable challenges of the irreversible process of globalisation.

Moderate Optimism

Even if the TCE's rejection in two countries led to a diplomatic setback, the EU members might learn valuable lessons from Asean's diplomacy according to which co-operation and decision-making should move forward at a pace comfortable to all participants, without artificial celerity. An authentic consensus is needed to open the way for relevant decisions on how to further improve the function of the EU.

The establishment over the years of official relations between EU with Asean, the African Union, the Organisation of American States, and with many countries, including the USA, China, India, Japan, Russia and Australia, illustrates the universal significance and impact of decisions taken in Rome in March 1957. The European Commission is represented by permanent delegations in 130 countries in all continents (excepting Antarctica), as well as at five international organisations, making it the fourth largest diplomatic service in the world, and epitomising a remarkable new reality in a world of traditional state-centric diplomacy.

The EU works with all United Nations (UN) agencies across virtually the entire spectrum of UN activities, from development policy and peacebuilding, to humanitarian assistance, environment, human rights, culture and fighting terrorism. The EU is the largest financial contributor to the UN system and a strong promoter of effective multilateralism. In 2005 alone, the UN-EU co-operation extended to over 80 developing countries and countries in transition.

Beyond any uncertainty about the future of the TCE, the EU members have voluntarily entered into a intense relationship of mutual dependency more profound than in any international organisation. Collectively, they are determined to ensure a level of prosperity and stability previously unknown on their continent.

The EU is already a prestigious global trading power and an influential factor in world politics. More significantly, it is a community of shared values promoting all fundamental human rights, defending a way of life and a social model without precedent in history. It develops an active co-operation and solidarity, the rule of law and equal rights and obligations for European citizens.

The EU has a well acknowledged reputation for advocating peace, a viable future for our planet, sustainable development, environmental and climate protection. It is now preparing a dynamic partnership with a younger sister - Asean - which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in August 2007.

Meanwhile, the 27 EU members have to look ahead to the next 50 years, to reflect both on their main achievements and failures, while mobilising their efforts around core priorities. Their conclusions are summarised in the Berlin Declaration which is equally a celebratory and visionary document addressing five top European values: solidarity, sustainability, accountability, security and promotion of Europe's values in the world, a task which has never been more topical than today. There will be considerable work for many European generations to give tangibility to these values and make the EU a true success story.

The Berlin Declaration brings additional evidence that the impasse over the TCE cannot push the EU off course. It will continue to be an open and dynamic institution. ''Unity in diversity'' is the permanent motto for the EU. It contains a crucial commitment for the future. It is politically fortified by the assessment that the EU's majority consider that by its spirit the TCE responds to their expectations by showing the way towards a more democratic, more transparent, more efficient and stronger Europe on the world arena. The TCE is not dead. In diplomacy, pessimism is not an option, while moderate optimism is a force multiplier to be re-asserted by a vibrant EU.

The EU's positive balance strengthens the hope that beyond all temporary obstacles this original entity will fulfill its historic mission and will enjoy a universally recognisable political identity.

Asian countries may contribute to it by shaping with the EU a robust intercontinental partnership capable of giving new functional dimensions to the present world order. European and Asian countries are able to conduct complex negotiations leading to a win-win situation. They should further enhance the visibility of their dialogue and partnership. Credibility always demands visibility. The EU is already a winning project. Its 50th anniversary offers invigorating political energy and convincing evidence of its undisputable maturity.

The rest is destiny.

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First published in the Bangkok Post on March 25, 2007.



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About the Author

Dr Ioan Voicu is a Visiting Professor at Assumption University in Bangkok

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