Amsterdam Treaty

Amsterdam Treaty
Name	Amsterdam Treaty
Long name	Treaty of Amsterdam amending the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties establishing the European Communities and certain related acts
Caption	Signed copy of the treaty
Type	Amending treaty
Date drafted	17 June 1997
Date signed	2 October 1997
Location signed	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Date effective	1 May 1999
Condition effective	Ratification by all member states
Signatories	Member states of the European Union
Parties	European Union member states
Depositor	Government of the Italian Republic
Languages	All 11 official Languages of the EU at the time
Wikisource	Treaty of Amsterdam

Amsterdam Treaty. The Treaty of Amsterdam was a pivotal agreement signed in 1997 that substantially reformed the foundational architecture of the European Union. It amended the Maastricht Treaty and the treaties establishing the European Communities, introducing significant changes to prepare the bloc for future enlargement. The treaty strengthened provisions on EU citizenship, integrated the Schengen Agreement into the EU framework, and enhanced cooperation in justice and foreign policy.

Background and negotiation

The impetus for a new treaty emerged from the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference convened to review the functioning of the Maastricht Treaty and address challenges posed by impending enlargement to Central and Eastern Europe. Key negotiations were led by political figures like John Major of the United Kingdom and Helmut Kohl of Germany, alongside representatives from the European Commission and the European Parliament. Debates centered on institutional efficiency, with the Netherlands holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the final signing in Amsterdam. The process was influenced by preceding agreements like the Treaty of Rome and sought to balance national sovereignty with deeper integration, a tension evident in opt-outs secured by the United Kingdom and Denmark.

Main provisions

The treaty's core amendments were organized into three pillars, restructuring the European Union's legal foundation. It formally incorporated the Schengen Agreement into the acquis communautaire, abolishing internal border controls for most member states. A new title on employment was added to promote coordination between national strategies under the European Council. Provisions for Enhanced cooperation were introduced, allowing a group of member states to advance integration in specific areas without requiring unanimous participation. The treaty also strengthened the role of the European Parliament through an extended Co-decision procedure and reinforced fundamental rights by referencing the European Convention on Human Rights.

Institutional changes

Significant institutional adjustments were made to improve decision-making ahead of enlargement. The powers of the President of the European Commission were enhanced in appointing Commissioners, subject to approval by the European Parliament. The treaty expanded the use of Qualified Majority Voting in the Council of the European Union for areas like customs cooperation and certain aspects of social policy, reducing national vetoes. It also created the position of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a role later held by Javier Solana, to give the Common Foreign and Security Policy a more visible leadership.

Policy developments

The treaty launched the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, merging justice and home affairs cooperation more closely into the EU's mainstream activities. It established objectives for combating crime and managing asylum and immigration policies, paving the way for agencies like Europol. In social policy, it enabled the European Union to take action against discrimination based on sex, racial origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. Furthermore, it integrated the Petersberg tasks into the Treaty on European Union, defining humanitarian and peacekeeping roles for the Western European Union.

Ratification and entry into force

Following signing in Amsterdam, the treaty underwent ratification procedures in all member states, which included parliamentary approvals and, in Ireland, a referendum. The process was completed without major crisis, unlike the earlier Danish rejection of the Maastricht Treaty. The Treaty of Amsterdam officially entered into force on 1 May 1999, coinciding with the launch of the European Monetary Union and the introduction of the euro in eleven states. This timing positioned the reforms as a bridge between the post-Cold War era and the impending accession of countries like Poland and the Czech Republic.

Impact and legacy

The Amsterdam Treaty is widely regarded as a necessary but incomplete step, failing to achieve the comprehensive institutional overhaul many deemed essential for enlargement. Its reforms were quickly tested and found wanting, leading directly to the negotiations for the Treaty of Nice. The treaty's creation of the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice profoundly shaped subsequent EU law enforcement and border management cooperation. By integrating the Schengen Agreement, it solidified the principle of free movement, a cornerstone of the Single European Act. The treaty's legacy is thus one of incremental consolidation, setting the stage for the European Convention that would draft the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and, ultimately, the Treaty of Lisbon.

Category:Treaties of the European Union Category:1997 in the European Union Category:1997 in the Netherlands Category:Treaties concluded in 1997