In this interview, Philippe de Schoutheete, Belgian Ambassador to Madrid from 1981 to 1985, describes the political, cultural and economic atmosphere that prevailed in Spain at that time, and particularly the country’s desire to join the European Communities.

In this interview, Carlos María Bru Purón, Deputy Chairman of the ‘Democratic Left' party (Izquierda Democrática) from 1968 to 1977, explains how the transition to democracy was consolidated with Spain's integration into the European Communities, and outlines the details of the negotiation process.

In this interview excerpt, Jacques Delors, President of the Commission of the European Communities from 1985 to 1995, discusses the negotiations that preceded the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Communities, and particularly reflects on the role that he played in these negotiations.

In this interview, Philippe de Schoutheete, Belgian Ambassador to Madrid from 1981 to 1985, describes the personality of Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo, Spanish Prime Minister from 1981 to 1982, who played a decisive role in the return to democracy in Spain.

In this interview, Manuel Marín, State Secretary for Relations with the European Communities from 1982 to 1985, gives his views on the accession of Spain and other southern European states having also endured a period of dictatorship. He sees this accession as having an impact on foreign policy, providing a guarantee of institutional stability and respect of fundamental rights by means of economic and above all political operations. He also explains the reservations of other Member States with regard to Spanish accession, and the gradual success of the negotiations for Spain's accession to the European Communities, an institution which he believes embodies a system of values.

In this interview, Catherine Lalumière, former French Junior Minister for European Affairs, describes the position adopted by French President François Mitterrand in 1984–1985, during the final stage of the negotiations for the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Communities.

In this interview, Marcelino Oreja, Spanish Foreign Minister from 1976 to 1980, describes the stages in Spain’s rapprochement to the European Communities since the country’s democratic transition. He also mentions the reactions of the representatives of the Community institutions, the Council of Europe and the other Member States to the opening of accession negotiations.

On 28 July 1977, at the Egmont Palace, Brussels, Marcelino Oreja Aguirre, Spanish Foreign Minister, officially submits the application for accession to the European Communities in the form of three letters sent by Adolfo Suárez González, Spanish Prime Minister, to Henri Simonet, Belgian Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities.

In this interview, José María Gil-Robles, President of the Jean Monnet Foundation since 2008, emphasises the support shown by European political parties for the democratic transition in Spain, and the importance of the country’s accession to the Council of Europe as a necessary precedent for accession to the European Communities.

Article by Eduardo Haro Tecglen, Editor and Deputy Director of the weekly Triunfo, published in the 11 November 1978 edition, on the major parliamentary debate launched in France concerning the enlargement of the European Economic Community to include Spain, Greece and Portugal, in contrast with the lack of debates in Spain regarding the country’s application for accession.

Le 26 juin 1975, le Bulletin d’information de la Commission des Communautés européennes publie une dépêche de l’Agence France Presse (AFP) sur les propos de Pedro Cortina, ministre espagnol des Affaires étrangères, concernant l’Espagne et la construction européenne, exprimés au cours d’un dîner offert en son honneur à Paris par son homologue français, Jean Sauvagnargues.

Le 18 février 1976, le Bulletin d’information de la Commission des Communautés européennes publie une dépêche de l’Agence France Presse (AFP) sur les propos de José María de Areilza, ministre espagnol des Affaires étrangères, concernant les perspectives d’adhésion de l’Espagne à la Communauté économique européenne, exprimés par le ministre à l’occasion d’une conférence de presse à Bruxelles.

On 6 May 1976, the Spanish newspaper El País reports on the statements made by London-based Professor Hugh Thomas, a specialist in Spanish issues, on the democratic need to legalise the Spanish Communist Party before the elections are held.

On 25 August 1976, the Spanish newspaper El País publishes an article on a meeting in Paris between Marcelino Oreja, Spanish Foreign Minister, and his French counterpart, Jean Sauvagnargues, focusing on the open political situation in Spain since the death of Franco the previous year.

The 27th Congress of the Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE), held on 5 December 1976 in Madrid, is the first Congress of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, still not legally recognised, to be held since the Civil War. At the Congress, Felipe González is confirmed as Secretary-General of the Party, receiving the support of the main European Socialist leaders. From left to right: Felipe González, Willy Brandt and Olof Palme.

On 14 December 1976, Raimundo Bassols (on the right), presents his letters of credence to François-Xavier Ortoli (on the left), President of the Commission of the European Communities, in his capacity as Head of the Spanish Mission to the European Communities.

Meeting between the Spanish delegation (which includes Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo, on the left, back view, first row) and the Commission of the European Communities, including Lorenzo Natali (second from the right in the background), Vice-President of the Commission with special responsibility for Enlargement.

In 1977, in Brussels, Adolfo Suárez González, Spanish Prime Minister, holds a press conference at the Commission of the European Communities in the presence of Marcelino Oreja Aguirre, Spanish Foreign Minister, to reaffirm the desire of the Spanish government and people to join the European Communities, particularly referring to the notion of solidarity and support for the free movement of workers.

Information note drafted by the Spanish Foreign Ministry on 28 March 1977 for all Spain’s Heads of Mission abroad regarding the visit to Madrid of Pierre Duchâteau, an official from the Commission of the European Economic Community. The note also refers to the process for Spain’s accession to the EEC and the extension of the 1970 Spain–EEC Trade Agreement to Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom, new members of the Community.

Traducción de un artículo publicado en Gazet Van Antwerpen sobre los problemas políticos y económicos de España.

Translation of an article published in the Dutch-language Belgian newspaper Het Laatse Nieuws on 4 May 1977 on the changes in Spain since the end of the dictatorship.

Article published in the Belgian Communist newspaper Le Drapeau Rouge on 12 May 1977 on the likely future application by Spain for accession to the European Communities.

Article from the Belgian newspaper De Standaard on 12 May 1977 on the possibility that Spain will apply for accession to the European Economic Community in the autumn of that year.

Article published in the Brussels Times on 13 May 1977 on Spain’s gradual rapprochement with the European Communities so that it will not be left behind after the applications for accession submitted by Greece and Portugal.

Caricatura de Chumy-Chúmez del 9 de julio de 1977 en Triunfo sobre la falta de acuerdo entre los Estados miembros de la Comunidad Económica Europea (CEE) para la renovación del Acuerdo comercial España-CEE de 1970 y sobre la escasez de perspectivas para la adhesión de España a la Comunidad.

The Boletín de Documentación Económica, published on 30 September 1977 for internal distribution by the Research Department of the National Institute of Industry, contains the contributions and presentations made at the forum entitled ‘Present and future of the European Community: a vision for Spain’, held on 15 July 1977 at the Institute’s headquarters.

On 20 July 1977, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro comments on Spain’s application for accession to the European Economic Community.

Spain’s application for accession to the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), dated 26 July 1977, submitted by Adolfo Suárez, Spanish Prime Minister, to Henri Simonet, President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities.

Spain’s application for accession to the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom), dated 26 July 1977, submitted by Adolfo Suárez, Spanish Prime Minister, to Henri Simonet, President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities.

Carta del 26 de julio de 1977 de Daniel de Busturia, Delegado en Bruselas en el Consejo Superior de Cámaras de Comercio, a Pablo Benavides, mediante la cual le adjunta los discursos del Presidente de la Conferencia Permanente de las Cámaras de Comercio y de Industria de la Comunidad Económica Europea (CEE) en España y Grecia sobre el ingreso de ambos países a la CEE.

On 28 July 1977, Marcelino Oreja, Spanish Foreign Minister, officially presents to Roy Jenkins, President of the European Commission, Spain's application for accession to the European Economic Community (EEC). From left to right, Mr Da Silva, Spanish Ambassador in Brussels, Roy Jenkins, President of the European Commission, Marcelino Oreja Aguirre and Wilhelm Haferkamp, European Commissioner with special responsibility for External Relations.

Article published in the weekly Triunfo on 30 July 1977 on the political obstacles that have been overcome in order to enable Spain to make an official application for accession to the European Economic Community, and the beginning of a long process of negotiations marked by economic issues.

In August 1977, Knud Børge Andersen, Danish Foreign Minister, sends a letter to Marcelino Oreja, Spanish Foreign Minister, in which he thanks him, on behalf of the Danish Government, for his letter of 28 July 1977 regarding the application for accession to the European Communities submitted by Spain in Brussels the previous week.

On 16 September 1977, Felipe González (on the right), General Secretary of the Spanish Socialist Party, travels to Brussels for a meeting with Roy Jenkins, President of the Commission of the European Communities, and Antonio Giolitti (centre), Commissioner for the Coordination of Community Funds and Regional Policy.

During his visit to the Commission of the European Communities, Felipe González (on the right), General Secretary of the Spanish Socialist Party, meets Roy Jenkins, President of the Commission of the European Communities.

Summary note drafted on 5 October 1977 following the session of the Joint Committee held in Madrid on 30 September 1977 to examine the progress of the 1970 Spain–EEC Trade Agreement with a view to the negotiation process for Spain’s accession to the European Communities.

Information note from the Spanish Foreign Ministry dated 18 October 1977 outlining the problems and possible solutions that the enlargement of the European Economic Community to include the Mediterranean countries might represent for various sectors of the Spanish economy.

Note drafted by the General Department of International Economic Relations in the Spanish Foreign Ministry on 26 October 1977 setting out potential issues which may be raised in talks between Adolfo Suárez and the Community leaders during his tour of the capital cities of the nine Member States.

The Spanish Prime Minister, Adolfo Suárez, concludes his visit to the nine capital cities of the Member States of the European Communities with a meeting with the European Commission on 4 November 1977 on the most pressing issues and the preparation of the process for Spain’s accession.

Note dated 8 November 1977 from Raimundo Bassols, Head of the Spanish Mission to the European Communities, to the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs regarding the visit of Adolfo Suárez to Brussels as part of his tour of the European capital cities.

Working document in the form of questions and answers used by Spanish Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez to prepare the themes to be covered, both formally and informally, during his visit to Brussels in November 1977.

On 23 January 1978, in Strasbourg, Marcelino Oreja Aguirre, Spanish Foreign Minister, informs the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of the progress made by Spain and its citizens in the country's process of democratisation.

In 1978, in a communication to the Council, the Commission of the European Communities presents the main principles of its action programme for the introduction of differentiated transitional periods enabling Greece, Portugal and Spain to adapt to the European acquis communautaire.

Article published in the Spanish periodical Diario 16 on 27 April 1978 on the nature of the visit by Roy Jenkins, President of the Commission of the European Communities, to Spain. The article also reports on the relations opened between Spain and the European Economic Community.

Article published in the Spanish periodical Pueblo on 28 April 1978 regarding the agenda for the visit by the President of the Commission of the European Communities to Spain, and his statements to the press.

On 23 June 1978, the Permanent Conference of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the European Economic Community delivers a favourable opinion on the accession of Spain to the European Communities.

In September 1978, the Brussels Chamber of Commerce publishes a special edition of its official bimonthly bulletin on the subject of trade relations between Belgium and Spain at national and regional level, with contributions by well-known politicians, diplomats and economists.

Conference held in November 1978 by Daniel de Busturia, head of the Spanish delegation to the European Communities representing the Higher Council of the Spanish Official Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation, on the difficulties encountered in the accession negotiations and the future integration strategy.

On 29 November 1978, despite predicted difficulties, the European Commission delivers a favourable opinion to the opening of the negotiations for the accession of Spain to the European Economic Community.

Am 18. Januar 1979 nimmt das Europäische Parlament eine Entschließung an, in der es sich für die Erweiterung der Europäischen Gemeinschaft um Griechenland, Spanien und Portugal ausspricht.

Transcription of the statement made by Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo, Spanish Minister for Relations with the European Communities, at the ministerial session for the opening of negotiations between the European Communities and Spain, held in Brussels on 5 February 1979.

Transcription of the statement made by Roy Jenkins, President of the Commission of the European Communities, at the ministerial session for the opening of negotiations between the European Communities and Spain, held in Brussels on 5 February 1979.

On 5 February 1979, the inaugural session of the ministerial negotiations with Spain on accession to the European Communities is held in Brussels, chaired by Roy Jenkins, President of the Commission of the European Communities, and Jean François-Poncet, French Foreign Minister, who both address the gathering on the various stages of the accession process. Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo y Bustelo, Spanish Minister for Relations with the European Communities, and Marcelino Oreja Aguirre, Spanish Foreign Minister, also give their views on this historic moment.

On 5 February 1979, the formal opening session of the negotiations for Spain’s accession to the European Communities is held at the Council, in Brussels. From left to right: Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo, Spanish Minister for relations with the European Communities, Jean François-Poncet, French Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council, and Marcelino Oreja, Spanish Foreign Minister.

On 5 February 1979, in Brussels, Jean François-Poncet, President-in-Office of the Council, opens the first ministerial session of the accession negotiations between the European Communities and Spain.

On 6 February 1979, Enrique Domínguez Passier, Spanish Ambassador to Ottawa, sends to the Spanish Foreign Minister a copy of a communication from the European Community Information Service in Ottawa on the enlargement of the European Community to include Greece, Spain and Portugal.

José Lladró, Spanish Ambassador to Washington, sends the Spanish Foreign Minister a copy of the address given by Senator Kennedy on 9 April 1979 in the United States Senate, published in the Congressional Record, entitled ‘Towards a Stronger European Community’, in which he speaks of the enlargement of the European Community to include the countries of southern Europe.

Monograph published by the European Movement with the schedule, the list of participants, information and conclusions of the Madrid Conference organised on 26–27 October 1979 by the Spanish Federal Council of the European Movement to discuss the theme ‘Spain in Europe’.

In this note dated 5 November 1979, the Spanish Mission to the European Communities informs the Secretariat General of the Council of the names of the members of the Spanish Delegation responsible for the secretariat of the Accession Conference.

The Director-General of International Economic Relations sends a communication to the Spanish Ambassador to Brazil from the Mission in Brussels on the importance of Latin America for the Spanish delegation during the negotiations for accession to the European Economic Community.

On 23 February 1981, in Madrid, as the vote of approval is held for the appointment of Leopoldo Calvo Sotelo as Prime Minister, a group of Guardia Civil officers under the command of Colonel Antonio Tejero bursts into Congress and takes the Members of Parliament hostage. The attempted military coup d’état, which fails as a result of the decisive address given by King Juan Carlos on national television in which he denounces the coup and urges the upholding of the law and the democratically elected government, is the final totalitarian uprising against the fledgling Spanish democracy. This photo shows Colonel Tejero holding a weapon. On his left is Landelino Lavilla, President of the Chamber.

The Director-General of International Affairs sends to all the Spanish Ambassadors in Latin America the text of the statement made by the Spanish delegation to the European Economic Community, which rejects any implication that the relations established with Latin America might be affected after accession to the Community.

Report by Raimundo Bassols, Spanish State Secretary for Relations with the European Communities, on the state of negotiations for Spain’s accession to the European Communities in December 1981.

This resolution adopted by the Central Council of the European League for Economic Cooperation on 21 May 1982 pushes for a rapid conclusion to the negotiations opened between Spain and the European Communities so as to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

On 9 July 1982, the European Parliament adopts a resolution in which it calls on the Commission and the Council to speed up the negotiations for the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 9 July 1982, the European Parliament adopts a resolution in which it calls on the European Commission to indicate which proposals it intends to submit so that the enlargement to include Spain and Portugal does not lead to a weakening of the Community but rather represents an opportunity for a deepening of common policies and a strengthening of the decision-making process.

Report drafted by the Spanish State Secretary for Relations with the European Communities analysing the pace of the first three years of negotiations for Spain’s accession to the European Communities, from 1979 to 1982.

On 17 November 1982, the European Parliament adopts a resolution in which it considers, in particular, the political, institutional, economic, social and environmental implications of the future accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 17 November 1982, the European Parliament adopts a resolution in which it highlights the implications of the enlargement of the European Economic Community (EEC) to include Spain and Portugal, with particular regard to the special situation of their agriculture.