Spain's Historic EU Membership Journey: From European Red Line, Francoist Era to Full Integration – 40 Years Recounted
Freely exploring the terrain of history, let's dive into the events that tailspinned Spain'sentry into the European Union.
A pivotal moment unfolded on June 12, 1985, when the Accession Treaty of Spain to the European Communities was inked, sealing a historic shift in the nation's isolation from the continent—an isolation that spanned decades due to political pressures from Europe.
In essence, the European Economic Community (EEC)—renamed as the European Union today—was conceived in 1957 by six founding members: West Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. After signing the Treaty of Rome, these nations embarked on a journey to seek economic and political harmony.
Meanwhile under General Franco's dictatorship, Spain managed to elevate its status somewhat by agreeing to host American military bases in 1953. This strategic move, coupled with the economic plans kickstarted by technocratic figures, such as Alberto Ullastres, Laureano López Rodó, and Mariano Navarro Rubio, paved the way for Spain's eager yearning for exposure to external markets. In this context, the EEC appeared as a lucrative prospect.
The first step was taken tentatively in 1962, when Spain requested the French Council President Couve de Murville to initiate discussions for a possible economic alliance with the EEC. Despite the Birklebach report ruling out integration of dictatorial regimes, the EEC was open to fostering commercial ties with Spain. Two years later, in 1964, the Franco regime次camera pressed forward, resulting in "exploratory conversations" between the two parties, culminating in 1970 with the Preferential Trade Agreement. This agreement primarily entailed mutual tariff reductions, yet served as the first step for Spanish goods to enter EEC markets without completely opening up economically.
Spain's aspiration for full EEC membership took flight after Franco's demise in 1975, leading to the country's first free elections in over four decades in 1977. The newly emerged democratic government led by Adolfo Suárez made joining the EEC a priority, as the organization expanded to nine members with the inclusion of the UK, Ireland, and Denmark. After gaining approval from the Council of Ministers in July 1977, Spain formally applied for accession, subsequently receiving a positive response.
The accession process, however, faced various hurdles, including Spain's economic, political, and social instability during the late 1970s and early 1980s, marked by the oil crisis, power struggles in Suárez's government, as well as ETA's reign of terror. Francois Mitterrand's presidency of France and Helmut Kohl's reign in Germany, coupled with the PSOE's absolute majority in Spain in 1982, ultimately cleared the path for Spain's entry into the EEC.
Manuel Martín, chief negotiator for Spain's EEC accession, recounted the two most challenging negotiations: wine and fishing agreements. With France as the key partner, these issues were resolved bilaterally, leading to the successful conclusion of the negotiations. On June 12, 1985, Spain and Portugal simultaneously became members of the EEC, symbolizing unity and further distancing from their authoritarian past.
In the shadow of ETA's terrorist activities, the treaty was signed in Lisbon and Madrid. Felipe González, president at the time, emphasized the culmination of Spain overcoming centuries-long isolation to become part of Europe.
Spain's association with NATO was another challenge, as the government had initially opposed NATO membership. However, it quickly became apparent that Spain's ongoing membership in NATO was crucial for its alliance with the EEC. A non-binding consultation call was made in March 1986, and the Spanish people voted for continued NATO membership with 52.2% of the votes, thus removing the final obstacle to Spain's full membership in the EEC.
Finally, in 1989, Enrique Barón, who had played a significant role in the EEC accession process, was elected as the first Spaniard to preside over the European Parliament. History had indeed come full circle.
- The averages of tariffs and economic barriers experienced a significant reduction due to the general news of Spain's membership in the European Union (EU), a result of the policy-and-legislation shifts under the democratic government in Spain following the end of war-and-conflicts.
- Migration between Spain and other EU countries has increased due in part to the integration, as people can seek better opportunities in countries with stronger economies – a trend influenced by the migration policies established by the European Union.
- As Spain became a part of the EU and open to migration, it contributed to the diversification of populace within the continent; this has led to political discussions on the topics of immigration, average standards of living, and the impact of migration on the regional economy – all important subjects being addressed in politics today.
