Treaty Summary: the Treaty on European Union

The Treaty on European Union (TEU), is also referred to as the 'Maastricht Treaty,' was signed in the Dutch town of Maastricht on 7 February 1992, and came into force on 1 November 1993. The TEU is far considered one of the most complex and contentious aspects of the history of Europe; it is an anomaly. In addition to being a profound victory for supranational integration the TEU is a manifestation of the character and direction of European enterprise. The TEU creates and defines the supranational body called the European Union (EU). The EU consists of three great 'pillars' that are considered to be the foundation of the structure.

The European Community (EC) is considered the 'first pillar' of the EU. The TEU is essentially a comprehensive revising of the primary law of the EC, instituting wide-ranging changes to the way the European enterprise is structured and functions. The TEU's major impact was the consummation of the EC by the EU; however, the EC is the facilitator and driving force behind the EU.

Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) is considered the 'second pillar' of the EU. The CFSP replaces the European Political Cooperation (EPC), it is essentially an expansion of the rights held by the EPC dealing with initiative and responsibility. This CFSP deals mainly with intergovernmental security, such as a possible common defense policy.

The third 'pillar' of the EU is cooperation in the fields of Justice and Home Affairs (JHA). This is also an intergovernmental institution; however, the JHA regulates asylum, cross-boarder problems, customs, drugs, fraud, immigration policy, judicial cooperation, and police coordination. The JHA operates in much the same way as the CFSP, but also includes intergovernmental conventions and is underlined by a series of declarations.

The TEU also provides for a commitment to further treaty review, which formed the basis for the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) and the resultant treaties, the Treaty of Amsterdam (Amsterdam) and the Treaty of Nice (Nice).