3.1.1. European Coal and Steel

Western European economic integration began in difficult conditions of renewed international economic relations in the postwar period, in a competitive race between France, Germany, Great Britain for leadership in the EEA.

The first practical step in this process was the signing of the 1951 Paris Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community - ECSC, the international economic organizations, the common interests of which was the effective development and use of coal, iron and steel industry. On the basis of such common interests integrated into France, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg. The Paris Agreement came into force in 1952. In fact, dealt with the "common market" for coal and steel. In fact, "common market" became operational in 1953 - first for iron and steel. Since 1954, started functioning common market "special steels. In this way, expected to ensure rational distribution among member countries of production, high productivity in coal and steel industries. Under the control of ECSC appeared about 2 / 3 steel, 1 / 2 coal and iron ore in Western Europe.

Already at this stage of Western European integration process regulated overstate the relevant institutions. ECSC few institutions such as the High Authority, the Joint Council of Ministers, the Assembly and the Court. The policy decision of the High Authority and the Special Council of Ministers vested with executive functions, mostly defined all the activities of ECSC. Characteristically, the decision of the High Authority had the force of law in all member countries. They were bound for the integrated companies and industries do not require action by national governments. Special Council of Ministers was intended to coordinate the activities of the High Authority and national governments.

3.1.2. The system of the European Communities

Next stage in the development of Western European integration process associated with the signing of European countries "Six" - France, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg - in 1957 the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Economic Community - EEC - European Community and Atomic energy - Euratom. Thus was formed the system of the European Communities within the EEC, Euratom, ECSC.

European Economic Community created for the progressive integration of national markets into a single "common market", which meant:

• the abolition of restrictions on trade - tariffs, quantitative restrictions, etc.;

• establishing common customs tariff in trade with third countries;

• removal of obstacles to free movement of persons, capital and services;

• implementation of overall policy on transport and agriculture;

• define the rules of economic policy coordination in member countries;

• creation within the whole union conditions for competition, which was of a "regulatory character";

• implementation of appropriate approximation of the laws of participating countries.

Implementation of these measures planned for 12 years in three stages (of 4 years each) and had completed the final creation of a "common market".

In general, the official EU target was that to achieve:

1) comprehensive development of economic activity across the whole community;

2) constant and uniform development, increased stability, a rapid rise in living standards;

3) closer ties among nations joined together by creating a "common market".

The basis of "common market" in the customs union. Since July 1968 duty in mutual trade of participating countries was completely abolished and introduced a single customs tariff on trade with third countries. Yet "common market" is far out beyond the customs union. The fact is that as to reach the branches of national economies and spheres of economic activity and the nature of relations between the participating countries (these situations are limited only to trade), "common market" within the meaning was the economic union.

European Atomic Energy Community was designed to create and develop the nuclear industry. In his first program provides for solving problems of fuel and energy shortages in member countries through the implementation of large-scale research, technical information exchange, encouraging capital investment, capital-intensive enterprises of special construction, supply of nuclear materials, control over material splitting, a "common market "equipment and materials, free movement of capital and labor within the community and some other measures. The effectiveness of the cooperation program Euroatom the fact that despite all the contradictions and difficulties in the 60-ties of atomic energy community takes the stage of industrial development.

Formation of the EU-27

1952

Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, France

EEC-6

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1973

United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland

EEC-9

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1981

Greece

EU-10

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1986

Spain, Portugal

EU-12

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1995

Austria, Finland, Sweden

EU-15

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2004

Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Latvia,

Lithuania

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2007

Bulgaria, Romania

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To avoid duplication in the regulation of the integration process created General governing bodies in the European Communities. According to the Council (of ministers) are fixed functions of the general principles of coordination of economic policy, approve budgets and more. Commission as the main executive body was meant to work out proposals on EU policies, monitor compliance with the terms of Treaty of Rome and regulations of individual agencies and institutions of communities. Assembly controlled the work of communities. The court acted as an arbitration body, figuring out the issue of legality and interpretation of the contract and considering the complaint of participating countries.

Activities of institutes of management and control supplemented by ad hoc advisory bodies involved in researching issues of economic, social, monetary and otherwise.

Within the framework of the European Communities become operational infrastructure institutions - credit institutions to finance specific activities related to general economic and social policy. In particular, the European Investment Bank is linking its activities with the development of economically backward areas of the participating countries, activities of the European Development Fund aimed at providing financial assistance to development associated with the EEC and for guidance and guarantee fund of agriculture - the provision of subsidies to agricultural producers who have entered predicament in the establishment of a "common market" for the European Social Fund - co-financing of expenditures of the parties related to job training and employment of the unemployed.

Means of credit institutions are formed by contributions from participating countries and means of the European Investment Bank - also due to loans placed in the same countries.

Create a "common market" on the basis of a customs union organization singled out the European "six" in the international economic relations and laid the foundation for joint action on the international scene as a single entity of economic links.

In the early 60's in West European integration process arose a new phenomenon. According to the Stockholm Convention in 1960 created the European Free Trade Association - trade and economic union of Austria, Great Britain, of Denmark, Greenland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, later - Finland and Iceland - have a free trade zone. The purpose of association - a "free market" versus "common market" UES. Further, individual member countries of EFTA gained membership in the EEC.