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 29 June 1985, the Milan European Council welcomes the White Paper by Jacques Delors on completing the internal market and expresses its support for the swift establishment of a single market in the European Economic Community.

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.

Meeting of the Commission of the European Communities presided by Jacques Delors, in office from 7 January 1985 to 5 January 1989.

Lord Francis Arthur Cockfield, Vice-President of the European Commission with special responsibility for the single market, is the man behind the 1985 White Paper on the Completion of the Internal Market.

On 24 March 1987, the French daily newspaper Le Monde reflects on the nature of the future single European market and considers the limits of a forced unification of Europe.

On 18 May 1987, the European Commission sends a second report to the Council and the European Parliament a report in which it considers the progress made in the implementation of the Commission’s White Paper on the completion of the internal market.

On 15 October 1987, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on the European Commission’s White Paper on the completion of the internal market.

Conclusions of the Commission White Paper on ‘Growth, competitiveness, and employment’, which was approved by the European Council on 11 December 1993 and recommends increased cooperation in research and development, the adoption of a new development model taking into account the environment and qualitative needs, and action to be taken regarding the employment market.

In this interview excerpt, Jacques Delors, President of the Commission of the European Communities from 1985 to 1995, describes the imbalance between monetary union and the lack of coordination of economic policies, and discusses the publication of the 1993 White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment.