- 1958: The Treaties of Rome
The European Economic Community and the Euratom
The success of the ECSC gave impetus to further integration. At the Messina conference, the countries agreed on a gradual merging of their national economies in order to achieve gradual political unity. Finally, in 1957, two treaties were produced: The European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomatic Energy Community (Euratom).
The broad objectives of the EEC were, by establishing a common market, to promote a harmonious development of economic activities in the different member states, as well as to achieve stability, economic expansion, a rise of the standard of living and closer relations between the states. Furthermore, the treaty contained provisions for some non-market policy areas: the common policy for agriculture, the social policy and the common transport policy. The Euratom treaty was established was established mainly through pressure from France willing to reduce its overseas dependence. The promotion of research and a nuclear common market were the main goals of the Community.
As with the ECSC, both the EEC as well as Euratom had the same main institutions: Commission, Council of Ministers, Assembly and Court of Justice.
