CLAUDIO BISCARETTI DI RUFFIA

Gli aspetti non istituzionali del trattato sull'Unione Europea

 

N. 172

 

Summary — The a. examines, first of all, the measures adopted by the Commission and by the member States for the purpose of establishing the Internal Market, or "Single Market". In particular he emphasizes that the Single Market has exercised an influential role on all European States that were not members of the European Community and led the EFTA countries to initiate negotiations with the European Community that resulted in the "European Economic Area". In the following paragraphs of the article the a. examines some interesting aspects of the Treaty on European Union, with particular reference to the citizenship of the Union, diplomatic protection, the ombudsman, education, vocational training and youth and cultural development.

The a. examines as well, the new titles of the Treaty of Rome concerning public health, consumer protection, industrial cooperation and development cooperation. The a. points out, in particular, that for many of these items, actually, the European Community has only the power to coordinate and recommend policies that remain the legislative responsibilty of rnember States.

In conclusion, the a. asserts that as a consequence of the Maastricht Treaty, the "European Economic Community" has become the "European Community". A change of name which signifies that the focus is now the "European citizen" and not solely the "European consumer".