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The
unification of Europe is significant as a source of institutional
innovation that may yield some answers to the crisis of the
nation-state. This is because, around the process of formation of
the European Union, new forms of governance, and new institutions of
government, are being created at the European, national, regional,
and local levels.
In 1948, the
essential goal of European integration was to avoid a new war. For
this, a permanent accommodation had to be found with Germany.
Furthermore, the Cold War called for an economically strong,
politically stable Western Europe. The first move toward European
integration was the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) created
in Paris, in April 1951, which made autonomous national development
impossible in the industries that, at the same time, were
strategically central to any future war effort. This initiative led
to the two Treaties of Rome, and the European Economic Community,
oriented toward improving trade and investment among the six
nations.
The 1973 and
1979 economic crises ushered in an era of euro-pessimism. The
inclusion of Greece, in 1981, and particularly that of Spain and
Portugal in 1986, brought in some dynamic new players. Yet it was
the feeling that Europe could become an economic and technological
colony of American and Japanese companies that led to the second
major defensive reaction, represented by the Single European Act
(SEA) of 1987, setting up steps towards the constitution of a truly
unified market by 1992. Broader powers were given to the European
Commission; the European Council (representing heads of executives)
obtained majority voting procedures in several key domains; and the
European Parliament received some limited powers.
The overall
geopolitical environment suddenly changed again on 9 November, 1989,
prompting another round of European construction. The end of the
Cold War allowed a newly unified Germany with eighty million people
and thirty per cent of the European Community’s GNP, to be truly
independent of the tutelage under which it had been kept for over
four decades by the victors of World War II. The essence of the
negotiations amounted to fully integrating the German economy with
the rest of Europe, by moving toward a single European currency, the
euro, and an independent, European Central Bank.
By
reinforcing the decision-making power of European institutions,
particularly by making it more difficult to form a blocking minority
vote in the European Council, European-wide policies began to take
precedence over national policies in areas as varied as
infrastructure, technology, research, education, environment,
regional development, immigration, justice and police, in a process
symbolized by the change of name from European Community to European
Union (EU). In terms of the European construction, for all its
limits and contradictions, the Maastricht Treaty signed in December
1991, marked an irreversible process of economic and political
integration in the EU, a process by and large confirmed in December
1996 by the “stability (and growth) pact” reached in Dublin.
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A Foreign Minister-level EU Troika (with Minister Cowen representing
the Irish Presidency, Minister Bot representing the incoming Dutch
Presidency and Commissioner Patten representing the European
Commission) met with Pakistan Foreign Minister Kazuri in Islamabad,
Pakistan, on 18 February 2004.
A broad range of topics were discussed including recent domestic
political developments, relations with India, the successful SAARC
summit, relations with Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and
international security issues.
During the visit Chris Patten signed a Financing Agreement on a
co-operation programme on Trade-related Technical Assistance
Co-operation Programme with Pakistan to which the EU is contributing
€5 million. For Pakistan the Agreement was signed by the Minister
for Commerce Mr. Humayun Akhtar Khan.
The meeting coincided with the end of the first round of talks in
Islamabad between Pakistan and India in the framework of the
composite dialogue. The Troika welcomed steps taken by the two
countries to ease tensions and expressed hope that the process would
continue.
Pakistan
earthquake: Commission proposes €93.6 million aid package
The European Commission is proposing that an additional amount of at
least €80 million be made available to address the immediate needs
of survivors of the earthquake in Pakistan on 8th October
(€30 million), and to contribute to the costs of rehabilitation and
reconstruction (€50 million). This is in addition to the €13.6
million emergency humanitarian aid already released, bringing the
total proposed for 2005/6 to €93.6 million ($111.7 million). The
very substantial sum proposed underlines the European Commission’s
commitment to Pakistan and to its people. The Commission has
approached the budgetary authority (Council of Ministers and
European Parliament) with this proposal, and has called for an early
response to this proposal so that the EU can continue to act swiftly
to help those still suffering the terrible effects of the
earthquake.
Euro-PaKistan Relations at
European Union Official web site
EU-Pakistan:
Funding plans 2003-2005
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The
EU Official Publication Web
site
The
EU Free
Publication
Web site
Official Journal of the European Union
The Official Journal of the European Union (OJ)
is the only periodical published every working day in all 20
official languages of the European Union (EU).
It consists of two related series (L for legislation and C for
information and notices) and a supplement (S for public
procurement). There is also an electronic section to the C series,
known as the OJ C E. Documents
published in the OJ C E are
only published electronically.
Newsletter
The Publications Office Newsletter is issued twice a year.
It is available free-of-charge online and as a paper subscription.
The Newsletter helps to keep you up-to-date with the latest
EU publications and offers
in-depth articles on the latest developments in
EU policies and activities.
Some Books Published by European Union
Key facts and figures about Europe and the Europeans
Corporate author:
European Commission ; Directorate-General for Press and
Communication
Publication Year
: 2005
The European Union
Corporate author:
European Commission ; Directorate-General for Press and
Communication
Publication Year : 2004
Official directory of the European
Union 2005
Corporate author:
European Commission
Publication Year
: 2005
Making Europe a safer, healthier and
more productive place to work
Corporate author: European
Agency for Safety and Health at Work
Publication Year : 2005
Europe 2010
A
partnership for European renewal : prosperity, solidarity and
security
Corporate author:
European Commission
Publication Year
: 2005
Working for peace, security and stability
European Union in the World
Corporate author:
European Commission ; Directorate-General for External Relations
Publication Year
: 2005
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