Introduction to EU Law
Origins of modern EU
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For much of its history Europe = battleground
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After WWII (6 yrs./ 50 m. casualties): calls for peace & ‘United Europe’
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Soviet expansion: source of danger for the Western democracies
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Role of Schuman (French Foreign Minister) – historic proposal in
London on 9th of May, 1950
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Role of Jean Monnet (French Diplomat)
Schuman Plan
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Eliminate the rivalry between France and Germany
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Place Franco-German coal and steel production under a common
High Authority (leave the venture open to all European nations –
enlargement)
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Merge economic interests / help raise the standard of living (EEC)
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Make the High Authority’s decisions binding on the Member States
(enforcement)
European Coal and Steel Community
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6 countries agreed with Schuman the Benelux, France, Germany, Italy
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The UK declined to participate – sceptical about the High Authority
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The Treaty Establishing the ECSC was signed in Paris on 18th of
April, 1951 / in force on July 20th 1952 (for 50 yrs. – expired in July 2002)
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Objectives
To
Establish:
o A common market for coal & steel
products AND
o Four main Institutions: a High Authority, a Council of
Ministers, a Common Assembly, and a Court of Justice
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Common market for coal and steel free from constraints by the MS
or by the economic operators (re: flow of trade or competition)
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Article 4 ECSC Treaty: Certain practices are prohibited within the ECSC
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e.g. Rules on import and export custom duties, restrictions on
movement of goods; no discrimination between producers, purchasers
or consumers
The Common Market
The construction and maintenance of a common market i.e. a Europe-wide
scale, of economic conditions similar to those on the market of a single state
European Economic Community
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A common market covering all economic sectors other than those of
the ECSC Treaty
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Two new treaties negotiated, providing for the establishment of EEC
and Euratom
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Both signed in Rome on 25th of March 1957 / in force on 1st of
January 1958
