Abstract
An in-depth look at the Maastricht Treaty and an examination of the provisions and impact.This paper examines some of the issues involved in trying to balance the national sovereignty and identity of member nations with the level of integration required to ensure that the union itself is strong. It also provides an historical look at the formation of the Union.

From the Paper
"In its most basic form, the Maastricht was an international agreement approved by the heads of government of the states of the European Community in the Dutch city of Maastricht 10 years ago, in December of 1991. It came into effect Nov. 1, 1993, at which time everyone with citizenship in any of the union's members also acquired Union citizenship. Perhaps even more importantly, the treaty also set in motion the establishment of a central banking system and a common currency for the entire continent. The treaty had as its purpose -- and in many ways the effect -- of providing for a common foreign and security policy for the continent."

Tags:EU, europe, union, economic, community, EEC, borders, treaty

Abstract
The writer of this well-researched and informative paper details the history of the EU, established in 1993, as well as the Maastricht Treaty which was responsible for the successful economic integration within the member countries. This paper also cites the various drawbacks within the EU such as the lack of an armed force capable of more than just post-conflict interposition. This paper stresses the political vision and concepts behind the EU as well as the growing need for broader security structures and even more economic integration between the member countries.

From the Paper
"The European Union was established in 1993 with the Maastricht treaty that was responsible to bring about economic integration with the member countries. This is considered as one of the most powerful and strategic economic trade integration, and is responsible for contribution of nearly one-third of the entire world's trade. This has been so successful because of the fact that the west European countries have all formed together to form this agreement and have also initiated the single currency that is sued in this region called the Euro. Now after this the European commission is actually aiming at getting their political and commercial interaction with Latin America, and all effort is being put to get this done with as soon as possible."

Tags:eu, european, union, maastricht, treaty, political, europe, britain, economy, business, integration, security

Abstract
This paper examines the development of the European Union's (EU)Common Foreign and Security Policy and the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) since the Maastricht Treaty. It aims to determine how successful these institutional developments have been in addressing current security challenges. The paper also identifies how these processes are affecting the respective members of the EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Background and Overview
Recent Trends and Events
Current and Future Trends
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The research showed that most observers did not expect the process to be seamless or trouble-free, but it would seem that the trends clearly indicate that the Europeanization process continues to move forward in inexorable ways, with the need for establishing a viable mechanism to provide for mutual defense representing one of the more compelling reasons in support of the process. While the nations of Europe have historically sought out such alliances for their mutual defense, the process has expanded in recent years to include many former adversaries that appeared to represent a step in the right direction for ensuring a prosperous future for all members of the EU. Alas, the war on terrorism is not going to be finished anytime soon and defense will likely remain at the forefront of the move toward a United States of Europe that reflects the mutual but diverse interests of its members."

Tags:EU, NATO, ESDP

Abstract
This study attempts to illustrate how Greece has influenced the European Union by examining specific major events and structural guidelines that are not just regional considerations but have world wide implications. This examination takes place in the light of how the Greeks, in particular, have seen their presence in the union shape and sway the both the look and direction of the body. The specific areas of analysis include the enlargement processes of 1995 and 2004, the Greek influence on European Monetary Union (EMU) and an examination of how Greece has affected the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) specifically during the U.S. war in Iraq and the resulting differences that occurred amongst the EU member states. In addition, the study analyzes the specific impact of the term of the Greek presidency within the EU briefly and as it related to the U.S. war in Iraq in 2003. As the facts are presented and examined, the paper makes it clear how the Greek nation has had a measurable influence on the membership, policy and direction of the EU and provide an insight into what lasting impact has been left by the Children of Hellas.

Table of Contents
Problem Statement and Goal
Relevance and Significance
Barriers and Issues
Limitations
Research Questions
Summary
Introduction
Brief Historical Background
The Maastricht Treaty
The Creation of the Euro
The Three-Pillar Structure
Enlargement Process of 1995
Enlargement Process of 2004
Greek Influence in the European Monetary Union
The EU Presidency
Report on the Findings of the Research
Implications of the Findings
Recommendations

From the Paper
"The first setting that must be provided is a short history. This is done to properly contextualize the role played by Greece since the signing of the Maastricht Treaty and provides some basic information about the history and development of the EU. This brief historical look at the evolution of the European Union is not meant to be exhaustive instead the information is simply included to provide the reader with a feel for the methodology by which the union has taken shape. It is helpful to note at this point that the formation of the European Union is dramatically different than the formation of the United States but references are made to the so-called 'United States of Europe.' Where applicable, this statement will be elaborated upon and clarified as necessary."

Tags:nations, comprise, small, goals, cultures, ambitions, prejudices, animosities, monetary

Abstract
The paper comments that at the dawn of this new millennium the project of European economic integration faces a number of challenges, each of which the EU is striving to address effectively. The paper goes on to describe these challenges and explore the pressing issues associated with them. Also examined, is the development of European economic integration from the years following World War Two to the rise of the European Union.

From the Paper
"In 1995 the Madrid European Council asked for an examination of the likely effects of enlargement on the European Union. The report was to contain information pertaining to the consequences of enlargement in regard to agricultural and structural policies as well as a long-term budgetary outlook. Financial information was important because it was thought that enlargement would entail an extensive overhaul of EU economic policy in order to incorporate new member states."

Tags:economic, euro, europe, integration, international, maastricht, relations, treaty

From the Paper
" In December of 1991, the nations of the European Community signed the Maastricht Treaty, an accord which was intended to mark a major step forward toward the complete economic integration of Europe, and the culmination of a process that had begun in the 1950s. Business and political leaders around the world regarded "1992" with mingled enthusiasm and anxiety; it would mark the birth, so it was supposed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, of a new economic superpower. In mid-1992, however, Denmark failed to ratify the Maastricht Treaty. The defeating vote was narrow--50.7 percent of the Danish electorate voted against the measure--but it at once stalled the formal process, and signalled a much broader anxiety among Europeans regarding the impending integration..

This anxiety took a variety of forms, at several levels. On.."

Abstract
The paper outlines the functions of the European Parliament (EP) and the Court of Justice of the European Communities (ECJ), the highest court in the European Union. The paper discusses how the EP has taken an interest in expanding its power, and that interest sometimes conflicts with the ECJ's role. The paper focuses on three cases that directly address EP's jurisdiction and demonstrate the ECJ's role in extending or limiting that jurisdiction. The paper also addresses the Maastricht treaty that set up the pillar system and concludes that fears that the ECJ has unduly increased the EP's power seem largely unfounded.

Outline:
Introduction
Extending the Borders of Parliament's Jurisdiction
The Maastricht Treaty and the Reinforcement Powers of the European Parliament
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The European Parliament (EP) and the Council of the European Union are the legislative branches of the European Union. The EP is the directly-elected parliamentary institution of the European Union (EU), and, as such, is the largest trans-national directly-elected institution in the world. As a result, it is one of the most powerful representative legislative bodies in the world, despite the fact that its powers are limited because each member state is sovereign. Moreover, the Treaty of Maastricht divided the European Union into three distinct pillars, a community (EC) pillar, a common foreign and security policy (CFSP) pillar, and a police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters (PJCC) pillar. The EP's involvement is practically limited to the EC, though it does have some limited power and influence in the CFSP and PJCC pillars. Because the EP's influence is the strongest in the EC, it has a significant amount of control over the EU's economic security. For example, the European Parliament legislates in the following areas: customs, economic markets, agricultural policy, social policy, fisheries policy, economic competition, education, culture, citizenship, immigration, political asylum, consumer protection, healthcare, research, and environmental law. Despite its virtual limitations to one pillar, the EP has significant power. For example, it has control over the EU's budget and can veto appointments to the European Commission."

Tags:Maastricht, treaty, jurisdiction, pillars, powers

Abstract
This paper analyzes the issues and challenges surrounding the formation of the European Union, some of which persist today. The paper explains that the major developments within the European Community in the 1990s can be traced to the signing of the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, which made the European Community officially the European Union. The paper also discusses the Single European Act of 1985, which was devised to remove trade barriers and promote the movement of capital and labor across borders. Besides full economic interdependence and dissolution of trade barriers within the member countries, the paper adds that the EU sought to achieve not only this economic unification but also that of political union. The paper concludes that although successful steps have been taken toward Economic and Monetary Union, as with the successful creation of the Euro and the ECSB. , the steps of political and social union in formulating Common Foreign and Security Policy are of secondary importance to economic interdependence.

From the Paper
"After the Maastricht Treaty was adopted, the EU was enlarged to include Austria and the Scandinavian countries. Because membership of the new states would increase the numbers needed for qualified majority voting, their membership was opposed by Great Britain and Spain because of their compromised ability to block majorities that were strongly held by France and Germany. However, Delors initiated a compromise which Spain first agreed to and Britain followed suit, placing the issue on the ballots of applicant countries in 1994 and all but Norway ratified the agreement. After these governments because members, agreements were being made between the member governments of the EU and Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Romania. The fledging democracies of Eastern Europe had to meet a number or criteria for their applications for membership to be considered seriously. However, these restrictions would delay the prospects of their membership ratification for another six years. On the other hand, the original six members of the EU would be working on getting the EMU fully operational and establishing a single currency and central bank while the newly independent Eastern countries could continue liberalizing their economies and democratizing their governments."

Tags:Maastricht, Treaty, Euro, EMU, Amsterdam, Parliament

Abstract
This paper briefly examines the events leading up to the formalization of the European Union by the Maastricht Treaty of 1992. The paper also discusses how, with the establishment of the E.U. came many high hopes of the advantages it would give, which helped bring the number of members up to 27 such as economic and social progress, international authority, security and protection of human rights. The paper attempts to determine just how successful the E.U. has been in achieving its ambitious goals through an analysis of its strengths and weaknesses.

From the Paper
"The progress achieved within the entire European Union can be seen as the direct consequence of several advantages given to the member states, mainly concerning trade. For example, the common currency of the Euro adopted by 16 of the 27 member states has eliminated the inconveniences linked to exchange rates, the risk of paying more than planned because of currency fluctuations and the transaction cost when changing currency. Besides, the common currency makes it easier to compare prices, increases cross-border employment and often demands economic reforms from the member states so they can meet the appropriate standards. This means that trade is much improved within Europe, allowing businesses to expand easier by simplifying the administrative side for them, which in turn favours the creation of large European multinational firms that compete on a global level. "

Tags:Maastricht, Treaty, globalization, euro, agriculture, immigration

Abstract
This essay identifies and explores some of the major challenges to European economic integration in the post-cold war era. It also traces the development of the European Union from the years following World War Two to the groundbreaking Maastricht Treaty.

From the Paper
"At the close of the Second World War, Heads of State from around the globe came together with the goal of ensuring that the devastation seen in that violent conflict would never again be repeated. One of their primary goals was to reinforce the European economy so that the continent could rise from the ashes of their broken cities and achieve the eminent philosopher Immanuel Kant's dream of perpetual peace. The U.S. Secretary of State, George C. Marshall, devised a plan that would give Europe the aid it so desperately needed but only if the individual countries pulled together and launched a joint effort to revitalize their continent. This measure would ensure the impecunious economic conditions that indirectly brought Hitler, Mussolini and Franco into power would be avoided. As the years progressed and the wounds of war slowly healed, Western European economies began to integrate their coal and steel markets."

Tags:europe, european, globalization, integration, maastricht, market, treaty, union