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2.3 The Treaty of Rome
European Economic Community (EEC) Treaty (Treaty of Rome)
(I) Main objectives
The main objectives of the Treaty of Rome were:
- Creation of a Common Market and progressive "approximation" of economic policies of member states.
- Promotion of harmonious economic development and higher living standards.
- Closer relations between member states.
- Removal of all tariffs and quantitative restrictions on imports and exports between member states, with a common external tariff (CET) and a common commercial policy towards third countries.
- Creation of the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour.
- Common policies for agriculture and transport.
- Creation of a European Social Fund (the oldest of the structural funds). There were also articles on social policy.
- Creation of a European Investment Bank (EIB) to finance investment projects in the finance investment projects in the signatory states.
(II) Articles
The Treaty of Rome: contained 248 articles & 160 pages of annexes, protocols & conventions. The Articles were laid out as follows:
- Article 1: establishment of the EEC.
- Article 2: establishment of a common market, progressively approximating the economic policies of the member states...[and with] closer relations between the States belonging to it.
- Article 3: covered:
- Elimination of customs duties etc between member states
- Establishment of CET & common commercial policy towards 3rd countries
- Removal of obstacles to freedom of movement for persons, services & capital
- Common policy in sphere of agriculture
- Common policy in sphere of transport
- System to ensure competition is not distorted
- Procedures so economic policies can be co-ordinated
- Approximation of laws for the proper functioning of a common market
- European Social Fund
- European Investment Bank
- Association with overseas countries & territories.
- Article 4: stated that the tasks shall be carried out by the following institutions:
- An Assembly
- A Council
- A Commission
- A Court of Justice
- An Economic & Social Committee shall act in an advisory capacity.
- Articles 5-248 dealt with the following areas:
- 5-8: The setting up of the EEC during a transitional period of 12 years
- 9-11: Free movement of goods
- 12-29: The establishment of a Customs Union
- 30-37: The elimination of quantitative restrictions
- 38-47: Provisions for agriculture
- 48-73: The free movement of persons, services & capital
- 74-84: The requirements of a common transport policy
- 85-102: Competition policy, taxation & the approximation of laws
- 103-116: Economic & trade policy
- 117-128: Social policy
- 129-130: The establishment of a European Investment Bank
- 131-136: The association of overseas countries & territories
- 137-198: The composition & powers of the various Community institutions
- 199-209: Financial provisions
- 210-248: The legal personality of the Community, the admission of additional members, the setting up of the institutions & various miscellaneous points. Article 240 states that "the Treaty is concluded for an unlimited period". The treaty came into effect on 1 January 1958
Main source: Dick Leonard, Guide to the European Union (8th edition), Economist, 2002.
RL, February 2007
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