ABSTRACT
As you are no doubt aware, the European Union is based upon treaties which, under international law, have a special significance. They form the basis not only of the institutions, but also of the powers which can be exercised by those institutions and the procedures under which they must operate. Therefore, it is no wonder that the starting point for any discussion of the legal basis of the European Community is the treaties upon which it is founded. The treaties are considered to be the primary source of Community law. The basis of any legal action must be founded on a treaty provision.
