111 Getting closer to the EU Treaty of Nice Signed: 26 February 2001 Entered into force: 1 February 2003 Purpose To reform the institutions so that the EU could function efficiently after reaching 25 member countries. Main changes Methods for changing the composition of the Commission and redefining the voting system in the Council. Treaty of Amsterdam Signed: 2 October 1997 Entered into force: 1 May 1999 Purpose To reform EU institutions in preparation for the arrival of future member countries. Main changes Amendment, renumbering and consolidation of EU and EEC treaties. More transparent decision-making (increased use of the co-decision voting procedure). Treaty on European Union – Maastricht Treaty Signed: 7 February 1992 Entered into force: 1 November 1993 Purpose To prepare for the European Monetary Union and to introduce elements of a political union (citizenship, common foreign and internal affairs policy). Main changes Establishment of the European Union and introduction of the co-decision procedure, giving Parliament more say in decisionmaking. New forms of cooperation between EU governments – for example on defence, justice and home affairs. Single European Act Signed: 17 February 1986 (Luxembourg)/ 28 February 1986 (The Hague) Entered into force: 1 July 1987 Purpose To reform the institutions in preparation for Portugal and Spain‘s membership and accelerate decision-making procedures in preparation for the single market. Main changes The extension of qualified majority voting in the Council (making it harder for a single country to veto proposed legislation), and the creation of the cooperation and assent procedures, which give Parliament more influence Treaties of Rome – EEC and EURATOM treaties Signed: 25 March 1957 Entered into force: 1 January 1958 Purpose To set up the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). Main changes Extension of European integration to include general economic cooperation. Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community Signed: 18 April 1951 Entered into force: 23 July 1952 Expired: 23 July 2002 Purpose To create interdependence in the coal and steel industry so that one country could no longer mobilise its armed forces without others knowing. This treaty eased distrust and tensions after WWII. The ECSC treaty expired in 2002. http://eur-lex.europa.eu, © Europäische Union, 1998 – 2014 71051_1_1_2015_Inhalt_4.indd 11 21.01.15 10:39 Nu r z u Pr üf zw ec ke n Ei ge nt u d s C .C .B uc hn er V er la gs