"Impact of the Effect that the Luxembourg Treaty on the Development of the Integration of Europe"

 
The Luxembourg Compromise: The Impact on European Integration As we discuss the impact of the effect that Luxembourg treaty or compromise had on the development of the integration of Europe, we must first understand the term and meaning of the Luxembourg compromise and why it occurred. It was the year 1966, month of January, when the Luxembourg compromise was reached. This negotiation was arrived at so as to solve the problems and differences between the European communities. Now what was the problem? This treaty stated that the central authority of the European community, the council, as they are so called was to agree to a major decision making from 1st January 1966. Now the problem was that of the French government, who were against this decision. Therefore, in 1965 France pulled its representation from the council. This movement or step taken by France was so called the ‘Empty Chair’ crisis which was the first emergency that the European Community faced. Right to veto was demanded by the French for each member state in matters relating to crucial interest, and also that they themselves had to determine when matters were at risk. The Luxembourg compromise was reached to solve this issue where the representative of different states approved to hand out widely held decision in matters relating to country’s imperative issues. This meant that common decision making characteristics used for association between states remained in reality. This step and decision marked an important occasion in matter relating to integration. Surprisingly, the French government raised its crucial interest and to block majority votes on policy pertaining to agricultural. (“Accession negotiations”; “Luxembourg Compromise”) The increase of the European integration was successful earlier, but after the Luxembourg Compromise the process paced down and gave rise to problems in the future. However, though the compromise of 1966 slowed down the integration of the European development, the process got a new life in the eighties. The Single European Act was passed at one of the meetings in Luxemburg. This treaty was to give more rights and power to the commission which meant majority decision rather than common one among the council. Therefore, this meant the end of the Luxembourg Compromise. (Faster Integration) Supposedly, the compromise had to continue then the Single European act would not have come into existence and treaties like the Amsterdam and Maastricht (European Union) would not have been drafted. The majority system of vote cannot fully be achieved; hence a co-decision method was introduced in many areas such as transport, development and employment. The EU had to take decision on the employment pact where member state had to give its assessment of the situation. The council sets up certain reforms and guidelines which, the member state has to follow. Every once in a year the member state has to report to Brussels, where the council looks into these reports and issues suggestion to individual governments. (Faster Integration) The EU had to improve on the foreign policy by introducing strategic planning and warning unit made up of the Councils and the western European Union. However, the integration of the Western European Union into the EU is still a decision waiting to happen. Sadly, the treaty of Amsterdam did not perform well and failed to achieve the enlargement of the European Union. It did not manage to give the European Union the necessary changes and hence missed the opportunity of proper integration of the European Community. (Faster Integration) The Luxembourg compromise gave rise to many treaties in the European Community. However, the decision of majority voting made things more difficult between the members of the European Union as they kept having difference of opinion on matters on vital interest and matters. Although many problems have risen, even then the European communities have managed to grow and take in more members. The European community plays an important role in decision-making. The EU was responsible for harmonizing member states laws in matter relating to the internal market mainly the free movement of people, food, capital and services and to stop anything that might hinder the movement. There is an agreement between the European Union and a new member or other states, which includes an integration of short membership but more extensive than a free trade agreement which in turn can become a full membership. The EU has set up policies to help farmers.