German Chancellor Helmut Kohl meets French President François Mitterrand within the context of Franco-German relations at the summit held from the 16th to 17th May 1983 in Paris.

‘European contacts.’ On 19 March 1984, Fritz Behrendt, a Dutch cartoonist originally from Berlin, illustrates the difficult cooperation between the Europe of Ten and paints an ironic picture of the many political divisions that are undermining the European Community. Unlike in the Middle Ages, when the conflicts between European countries were settled with weapons on the battlefield, the clashes have now turned into a political battle with blows coming from files and papers.

On 29 March 1984, German cartoonist Walter Hanel paints an ironic picture of the close cooperation between François Mitterrand, President of the French Republic and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Communities, and Helmut Kohl, German Chancellor, to break the deadlock on some European issues and allow the Ten to move forward. In the background, Federal Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, gesturing ‘V’ for victory, supports the action of the two leaders, who are trying to put a smile back on the face of a Europe that is suffering and in a wheelchair.

On 25 June 1984, the Spanish daily newspaper El País analyses what is at stake at the European Summit of the Ten in Fontainebleau.

Meeting of the Heads of State or Government of the 10 Member States of the European Communities at the Fontainebleau Summit of 25 and 26 June 1984.

On 26 June 1984, the Conclusions of the Presidency on the work of the Fontainebleau European Council lay down new guidelines for the revival of European cooperation and define the framework for a People’s Europe.

On 26 June 1984, François Mitterrand, President of the French Republic and President-in-Office of the European Communities, reviews the Fontainebleau European Council and answers journalists’ questions.

On 25 June 1984, reporting on the opening of the European Council in Fontainebleau, the British left-wing newspaper The Guardian takes the view that the time has now come for the disagreements between the UK Government and its European partners to be set aside.

On 27 June 1984, the French newspaper Le Figaro examines the results of the arduous Fontainebleau European Council.

In June 1984, the federalist magazine L’Europe en Formation expresses its satisfaction with the results achieved by the Ten at the end of the Fontainebleau European Council of 25 and 26 June 1984, with particular regard to budgetary resources and the revision of the treaties.

‘The new European beat.’ As the Fontainebleau European Council takes place on 25 and 26 June 1984, German cartoonist Walter Hanel portrays the influence of François Mitterrand, President of the French Republic and President-in-Office of the European Council, and Helmut Kohl, German Chancellor, in resolving the budgetary problem and reviving the debate on an institutional reform of the European Communities. In the background, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

On 28 June 1984, the French daily newspaper Le Monde sums up the efforts made by the Heads of State and Government during the Fontainebleau European Council concerning a re-launch of European integration.

In September 1984, in an article in the Dutch journal Internationale Spectator, Edmund P. Wellenstein, former Director-General for External Relations of the European Commission, analyses the outcome of the Fontainebleau European Council held on 25 and 26 June 1984.

In this interview, Élisabeth Guigou, Technical Adviser to the President of the French Republic from 1982 to 1988, emphasises the importance of the Fontainebleau European Council of 25 and 26 June 1984, held during the French Presidency of the Council of the European Communities.

Jacques Delors, President of the Commission of the European Communities from 6 January 1985 to 6 January 1995.

On 14 June 1985, the European Commission submits to the Council its White Paper on the completion of the internal market which sets out a timetable for the measures required for the completion of the single market by 31 December 1992 at the latest.

On 27 November 1985, the Economic and Social Committee (ESC) of the European Communities delivers its opinion on the European Commission’s White Paper ‘Completing the Internal Market’. The opinion is adopted by 90 votes in favour, 14 votes against and 17 abstentions.

On 5 March 1985, Altiero Spinelli, Italian Chairman of the European Parliament’s Institutional Affairs Committee, writes an aide-memoire on the procedure to be followed so that the Intergovernmental Conference, responsible for drawing up the Treaty on European Union, may reach a successful conclusion.

On 9 July 1985, the European Parliament delivers a favourable opinion on plans to convene an intergovernmental conference and expresses its desire to become an equal partner in the Conference of the Representatives of the Governments of Member States.

On 22 July 1985, the European Commission delivers a favourable opinion on plans to hold an intergovernmental conference in order to amend and complete the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (EEC).

En octobre 1985, deux mois avant le Conseil européen de Luxembourg des 2 et 3 décembre 1985, la revue fédéraliste L'Europe en formation pose la question du développement futur des Communautés européennes.

On 9 September 1985, President of the European Commission Jacques Delors delivers a speech at the first Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) to be held in Luxembourg. He uses the opportunity to focus on the operation and the aims of the IGC.

In this interview, Catherine Lalumière, former French Junior Minister for European Affairs, describes the implications of and proceedings at the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) which, in 1985 and 1986, resulted in the Twelve concluding the Single European Act (SEA).

In this interview, Catherine Lalumière, former French Junior Minister for European Affairs, describes the French priorities, particularly in the social and cultural fields, during the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) which, in 1985 and 1986, resulted in the Twelve concluding the Single European Act (SEA).

On 26 June 1984, at the close of the Fontainebleau European Council, the Ten propose the establishment of an ad hoc committee consisting of personal representatives of the Heads of State or Government and charged with drawing up proposals to improve the operation of European cooperation.

During the Dublin European Council of 3 and 4 December 1984, the Ad Hoc Committee on Institutional Affairs submits its interim report on institutional reform in the European Communities.

In his editorial of 21 March 1983, Emanuele Gazzo, Director of Agence Europe, analyses the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Institutional Affairs and comments on the reactions prompted by the publication of this text.

In his editorial of 22 March 1983, Emanuele Gazzo, Director of Agence Europe, calls for the accelerated implementation of the proposals set out in the report by the Ad Hoc Committee on Institutional Affairs.

In March 1985, Mauro Ferri, representative of Bettino Craxi, Italian Prime Minister, on the Dooge Committee, summarises the work done by the Ad Hoc Committee from the time when it was established by the Fontainebleau European Council (June 1984) until the submission of its final report on institutional affairs.

In a report submitted on 29-30 March 1985, the Dooge Committee puts forward ideas for improving the operation of the Community system and proposes ways of enhancing European Political Cooperation (EPC).

On 15 May 1985, the General Secretariat of the Benelux Economic Union reviews the meeting of the Directors-General for European Affairs held the previous day with a view to reaching agreement on a common position for the three Benelux member states regarding the Dooge Report and the Milan European Council.

En juin 1985, à la veille du Conseil européen de Milan des 28 et 29 juin 1985, l'éditorialiste de la revue fédéraliste L'Europe en formation se demande si les Dix vont tenir compte des propositions du Comité Dooge et convoquer une conférence intergouvernementale.

On 26 June 1985, Irish MPs analyse the proposals contained in the report of the Dooge Committee regarding improvement of the operation of the Community system and enhancement of European Political Cooperation (EPC).

Table showing the names of the 11 members of the Ad Hoc Committee on Institutional Affairs.

In July 1985, Mauro Ferri, Member of the European Parliament from 1979 to 1984 and representative of Bettino Craxi, Italian Prime Minister, on the Ad Hoc Committee on Institutional Affairs, comments on the various meetings of this Committee (known as the ‘Dooge Committee’) which were held between 28 September 1984 and 15 March 1985. In its final report, the Committee proposes that an Intergovernmental Conference be convened in order to negotiate a draft Treaty on European Union.

On 26 June 1985, the eve of the meeting of the Council of Heads of State or Government of the European Community in Milan, the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir outlines the issues faced by the Summit with particular emphasis on the United Kingdom’s position with regard to a European Union.

Bettino Craxi (centre), President of the European Council, welcomes the President and Vice-President of the European Commission, Jacques Delors (left) and Lorenzo Natali (right), to the Milan European Council, held on 28 and 29 June 1985.

From left to right: Bettino Craxi, Italian Prime Minister, Felipe Gonzales, Spanish Prime Minister, Guilio Andreotti, Italian Foreign Minister, and Fernando Moran, Spanish Foreign Minister, at the Milan European Council.

At the Milan European Council of 28 and 29 June 1985, the Adonnino Committee submits its second report on a People's Europe.

On 29 June 1985, the conclusions of the Milan European Council set out the economic, political and institutional challenges facing Europe in the years ahead.

‘Spaghetti milanese/Milan Summit.’ In June 1985, the German cartoonist, Walter Hanel, takes an ironic look at the difficulties encountered by the Ten at the Milan European Council of 28 and 29 June in resolving Community institutional matters and in agreeing to revise the treaties.

On 30 June 1985, the day after the Milan European Council, the Belgian newspaper Le Soir presents an overview of the results of the Milan talks and considers the sticking points which might delay a revision of the European Treaties.

On 1 July 1985, following the Milan European Council, the French newspaper Le Figaro gives a mixed account of the meeting held by the Ten and describes the difficult debate surrounding the issue of institutional reform.

On 1 July 1985, the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung examines the impact of the decisions taken at the Milan European Council on the process of institutional reform.

On 1 July 1985, the French daily newspaper Libération considers the talks between the Ten at the Milan European Council, held on 28 and 29 June, on the European technological project (Eureka) and on the political development of the European Communities.

On 2 July 1985, following the Milan European Council, the French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the Ten’s disagreement on the future of the institutions of the European Community with a view to its development into a European Union.

Le 9 juillet 1985, Jacques Delors, président de la Commission des Communautés européennes, déplore devant le Parlement européen l'échec du Conseil européen de Milan des 28 et 29 juin et fait sept propositions pour sortir l'Europe communautaire de l'impasse.

On 10 July 1985, the European Parliament delivers its opinion on the outcomes of the European Council meeting held in Milan on 28 and 29 June 1985.

‘Onwards to the next Euro-conference.’ On 23 July 1985, Fritz Behrendt, a Dutch cartoonist originally from Berlin, paints an ironic picture of the quarrels and disagreements between the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the European Communities over how to make progress on the institutional reform of the Communities and the question of a revision of the treaties. The smiles and good cheer displayed in the group photo following the successive European Councils give the impression that everything is going well, but in reality the future development of the European Communities is undermined by disagreements between the Ten. From left to right: President of the Italian Council of Ministers Bettino Craxi, Netherlands Foreign Minister Ruud Lubbers, French President François Mitterrand, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González Márquez and Belgian Prime Minister Wilfried Martens.

In his memoirs, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, German Foreign Minister from 1974 to 1992, recalls the that role he played at the Milan European Council and the reservations of the United Kingdom.

In this interview, Catherine Lalumière, former French Junior Minister for European Affairs, describes the atmosphere and proceedings at the Council of the European Union held in Milan on 28 and 29 June 1985, with particular regard to the decision taken by the Ten, after strong pressure had been exerted by the Italian Presidency, to convene an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) to amend and supplement the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 2 and 3 December 1985, the Heads of State or Government of the Ten agree on a revision of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and approve the Single European Act.

Le 3 décembre 1985, à l'issue du Conseil européen de Luxembourg, le président français François Mitterrand répond aux questions des journalistes et commente les différents progrès réalisés lors de la réunion des chefs d'État et de gouvernement des Dix.

On 2 and 3 December 1985, the Heads of State or Government of the Ten meeting in Luxembourg reach agreement on the results of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) laying the foundations for the Single European Act and a new revival of the European Communities.

En décembre 1985, le mensuel Revue du Marché commun analyse les résultats du Conseil européen de Luxembourg et s'interroge sur la possible relance du processus d'intégration européenne.

On the eve of the first day of the Luxembourg European Council, 2 December 1985, the French newspaper Le Figaro gives an overview of the European issues which stand in the way of reform of the Treaty of Rome.

On 2 December 1985, on the occasion of the Luxembourg European Council, the Belgian Foreign Minister, Leo Tindemans, replies to questions from the Belgian newspaper La Libre Belgique on the issue of reforming the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community.

‘Dumas has come up with a great slogan for Europe: “Twelve for one and one for twelve!” Luxembourg: difficult negotiations for the future of Europe.’ On 3 December 1985, as the Luxembourg European Council is held, French cartoonist Jacques Faizant paints an ironic picture of the French Government’s initiative to revive the European integration process. The question of the revision of the Treaty of Rome is a major sticking point that is already creating divisions and looks set to be difficult. Prime Minister Laurent Fabius (centre) presents Marianne, the allegorical representation of France, with the slogan devised by Foreign Minister Roland Dumas (on the right) to pursue progress in a united Europe.

‘The achievements of the summit.’ On 3 December 1985, the cartoonist, Benedek, illustrates the mixed achievements of the Luxembourg European Council with regard to the reform of the European Economic Community (EEC).

On 4 December 1985, the Belgian newspaper Le Soir harshly criticises the mediocre outcome of the Luxembourg European Council and draws attention to the divisions existing between European countries on the issue of reform of the Treaty of Rome.

Le 4 décembre 1985, commentant les résultats du Conseil européen de Luxembourg des 2 et 3 décembre, le quotidien allemand Süddeutsche Zeitung préconise la réalisation du grand marché intérieur pour donner une nouvelle impulsion économique à la Communauté européenne et insiste sur la nécessité d'un changement d'attitude des citoyens à l'égard de l'intégration de l'Europe.

On 5 December 1985, commenting on the outcome of the Luxembourg European Council of 2 and 3 December, British daily newspaper The Guardian considers that the meeting of Heads of State or Government of the Ten can be qualified as ‘historic’ if they manage to achieve an institutional reform of the European Communities and to employ majority voting in the Council to facilitate the establishment of a single internal market by 1992.

Le 5 décembre 1985, commentant les résultats du Conseil européen de Luxembourg des 2 et 3 décembre, le quotidien allemand Süddeutsche Zeitung déplore que les chefs d'État ou de gouvernement des Dix n'aient pas réussi à aller plus loin en matière de réforme institutionnelle.

On 5 December 1985, the French newspaper Le Figaro gives an account of the Luxembourg European Council and welcomes the agreements reached in extremis by the Heads of State and Government of the European Community concerning the revision of the Treaty of Rome.

On 5 December 1985, the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung examines the outcomes of the Luxembourg European Council.

On 5 December 1985, the Belgian newspaper La Libre Belgique sees the Luxembourg European Council as a step in the right direction along the road leading to a more in-depth reform of the Treaty of Rome.

'Progress.' On 6 December 1985, the day after the Luxembourg European Council, the cartoonist with the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Hanel, portrays the difficulties involved in reforming the Treaty of Rome.

On 11 December 1985, the European Parliament adopts a resolution in which it regrets that the work achieved at the Luxembourg European Council of 2 and 3 December does not enable the planned institutional reform to be carried out.

On 13 December 1985, the French daily newspaper Libération comments on the European Parliament’s criticism of the outcome of the Luxembourg European Council.

On 17 December 1985, the Spanish daily newspaper El País outlines Spain’s position following the disappointing outcome of the European Summit held two weeks previously in Luxembourg.

On 18 December 1985, the French daily newspaper Le Monde looks at the agreement reached at the Luxembourg Council, held on 2 and 3 December, on the revival of the European Communities and comments on the prospects of the Ten’s national parliaments ratifying the Single European Act.

On 28 January 1986, the Spanish daily newspaper El País emphasises that, despite some reservations, the Twelve are determined to sign the Single European Act as soon as possible.

In this interview, Jacques Santer, former Luxembourg Prime Minister and Finance Minister, summarises the origins of the Single European Act (SEA), drawing particular attention to the last-minute difficulties that arose at the Luxembourg European Council held on 2 and 3 December 1985.

In this interview, Jacques Santer, former Luxembourg Prime Minister and Finance Minister, considers the successful cooperation, in the second half of 1985, between the Luxembourg Government and the European Commission, presided over by Jacques Delors, in the preparations for the Single European Act (SEA).

In this interview, Catherine Lalumière, former French Junior Minister for European Affairs, describes the implications of and proceedings at the Luxembourg European Council, held on 2 and 3 December 1985, and, in particular, how the Heads of State or Government of the Ten finally succeeded in reviving the negotiations of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) which, in 1985 and 1986, resulted in the Twelve concluding the Single European Act (SEA).