ABSTRACT
The European Union (the EU) was initially established, and the Treaty of Rome signed, in 1957 (see Box 5.1). The Treaty of Rome was based on common markets and economic cooperation between Member States, but it also included health care-related commitments, such as coordination among Member States with respect to social security and occupational health and safety. However, for a long time the influence of European policies on national health care systems was limited, if in practice almost non-existent. One example of this is the fact that when Finland, Sweden and Austria joined the EU in 1995, it was wrongly understood in Finland that there would be no impact on health and social services. Indeed, this was what was claimed by decision-makers. If the electorate had thought otherwise, it could have changed the result of the vote on joining the EU. Health implications of the EU were considered predominantly in the context of public health policies; for example, when Finland and Sweden joined the EU, they negotiated time frames before border measures were fully lifted from alcohol products. Box 5.1. European Union: background and powers
In the aftermath of the Second World War, in 1949, the West European nations established the Council of Europe, which still functions.
The EU has its background in further integration sought by six nations (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands), which took further steps towards European integration in the context of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), subscribing to the Schuman declaration in 1950.
In 1951, these countries signed the Treaty of Paris establishing the ECSC. This Treaty is important as it foresees the establishment of key European institutions, including the Court of Justice, Parliament, Council of National Ministers and Executive Council. The Treaty of Rome was signed in 1957, consisting of treaties establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). The UK, Denmark and Ireland joined the European Community in 1973, Greece in 1981, and Spain and Portugal in 1986. Finland, Sweden and Austria joined in 1995; Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Cyprus and Poland joined in 2004; and Bulgaria and Romania in 2007. The current EU thus consists of twenty-seven Member States.
The EU’s governance is based on negotiated treaties, which lay down the basis for further collaboration and integration. The key treaties are:
Treaty of Rome, 1957
established economic cooperation and the European Economic Community
Treaty of Maastricht, 1992
created the EU and led to the creation of the single currency (euro)
Treaty of Amsterdam, 1997
established the basis for a common foreign and security policy
Treaty of Nice, 2001
made eastward expansion possible
Treaty of Lisbon, 2007
initially amended the treaties of Rome and Maastricht under a treaty establishing a constitution for Europe, which was not accepted by French and Dutch voters in 2005. A slightly amended version was signed in Lisbon in 2007.
The European Court of Justice is important due to its role in interpretations and judgements with respect to disputes over Treaty provisions.
The European Commission in practice forms the executive and civil service, with responsibility for taking commitments further as well as the right to initiate new policies.
While the powers of the European Parliament have been increased through treaty negotiations, the main role of the Parliament is in scrutinising, following and amending policies and legislation proposed by the Commission. The European Parliament is the only directly elected body in the EU, and currently consists of 736 Members of the European Parliament.
The European Council (or Council of the European Union) is governed by Member States’ national ministries. It essentially mediates the voice of elected Member State governments in European policy-making, legislative and policy proposals by the Commission. The practice of co-decision that applies to most of the decisions in the EU in practice implies that Parliament and Council must both agree to initial proposals made by the Commission for them to proceed.
More information on the EU is available at https://www.europa.eu" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">www.europa.eu
