Article N of the Treaty on European Union, signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992 by the Foreign Ministers and the Ministers for Economic Affairs or Finance of the Twelve, introduces a review clause applicable to all Community Treaties and the Treaty on European Union and provides for an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) to be convened in 1996 in order to consider which provisions of the Treaty of Maastricht need to be revised.

In June 1995, Jean-Luc Dehaene, Belgian Prime Minister, emphasises the importance of the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the revision of the Treaty on European Union for the unification of Europe.

In October 1995, the monthly legal journal Revue du Marché Commun et de l’Union Européenne sets out the political, institutional and economic implications of the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) for the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

On 14 November 1995, at the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Western European Union (WEU) in Madrid, the WEU Member States contribute to the work of the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the revision of the Treaty on European Union by emphasising the nature of relations between WEU and the European Union.

In January 1996, in the Revue du Marché Commun et de l’Union Européenne, Jacques Santer, President of the European Commission, Elizabeth Guigou, Member of the European Parlaiment, Nils Ersbøll, former Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, and Joseph Weyland, former Luxembourg Permanent Representative to the European Communities, all of whom are members of the Reflection Group responsible for making preparations for the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) chaired by Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza, Spanish Junior Minister for European Affairs, answer questions on the implications of the IGC.

On 28 February 1996, Jacques Santer, President of the European Commission, outlines to the European Parliament in Strasbourg the implications of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) which is due to open on 29 March in Turin for the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

On 13 March 1996, in Paris, Alain Juppé, French Prime Minister, outlines to the French National Assembly the implications and prospects for success of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) due to open on 29 March in Turin for the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

Le 26 mars 1996, Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza, ministre espagnol des Affaires étrangères, prononce à l'Académie royale de jurisprudence et de législation à Madrid un discours dans lequel il décrit la position de l'Espagne par rapport à la révision du traité sur l'Union européenne examinée par la Conférence intergouvernementale (CIG) devant s'ouvrir le 29 mars à Turin.

In June 1996, in an article published in the magazine Política Exterior, Marcelino Oreja, European Commissioner with special responsibility for institutional affairs and for preparations for the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), describes the business at the IGC and the reforms proposed by the European Commission.

In 1996, on the eve of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the revision of the Treaty on European Union, Felipe González Márquez, Spanish Prime Minister, publishes an article in the Spanish magazine Política Exterior in which he outlines Spain’s role in the European Union.

On 28 January 1997, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe welcomes the institutional prospects opened up by the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) organised by the Fifteen for the reform of the Treaty on European Union, with particular regard to the enlargement of the Union.

On 21 April 1995, with a view to the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) delivers its opinion on its task and its role in the future institutional structure of the Community.

In May 1995, the Court of Justice of the European Communities publishes a report on several aspects of the application of the Treaty on European Union with a view to the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) responsible for its revision.

On 17 May 1995, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on the Treaty on European Union (TEU) with a view to improving the operation of the Community system in the run-up to the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).

On 23 November 1995, the Economic and Social Committee (ESC) publishes an opinion on its duties with a view to the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

On 28 February 1996, with a view to the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the reform of the Treaty on European Union scheduled to be held on 29 March 1996 in Turin, the European Commission publishes its priorities for strengthening political union in the European Union and for making preparations for the forthcoming enlargement.

On 13 March 1996, in anticipation of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) due to open in Turin on 29 March, the European Parliament adopts a resolution expressing its hope that the IGC might play a supportive role in the setting up of a true European Political Union.

In December 1995, in Brussels, with a view to the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) due to begin on 29 March 1996 in Turin in order to make preparations for the revision of the Treaty on European Union, Jacques Santer, President of the European Commission, sets out the aims and implications of the IGC.

In February 1996, Jacques Santer, President of the European Commission, submits to the European Parliament the aims and the priorities of the Commission regarding the proceedings of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), due to begin on 29 March 1996 in Turin in order to make preparations for the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

In this interview, recorded in January 1996, Abel Matutes, former member of the European Commission and Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Security and Defence Policy, presents Parliament’s expectations with regard to European defence with a view to the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), due to begin on 29 March 1996 in Turin in order to make preparations for the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

On 25 June 1994, the Corfu European Council decides to establish a ‘Reflection Group’ instructed to make preparations, before the end of 1995, for the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (ICG) on the reform of the Treaty on European Union.

On 24 and 25 June 1994, at the meeting of the European Council on Corfu, the Heads of State or Government of the European Union decide to set up a study group to be responsible for preparations for the the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).

On 10 July 1995, in an interview for the Paris daily newspaper Le Figaro, Michel Barnier, French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, refers to the work of the reflection group given the task of preparing the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) with a view to the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

On 12 September 1995, Michel Barnier, French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, holds a press conference in Brussels in which he outlines the work of the reflection group on the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).

On 5 December 1995, the Reflection Group established by the Corfu European Council of 24 and 25 June 1994 and chaired since June 1995 by Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza, Spanish Junior Minister for European Affairs, submits to the Brussels European Council its final report on the challenges that need to be addressed at the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) in order to bring the European Union up to date and to prepare it for the next enlargement.

On 5 December 1995, in Brussels, the Reflection Group created by the Corfu European Council of 24 and 25 June 1994 and chaired since June 1995 by Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza, Spanish Junior Minister for European Affairs, submits its final report on the challenges to be faced at the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) in order to adapt the European Union so that it can meet the new international challenges and to prepare for its forthcoming enlargement.

From June to December 1995, Carlos Westendorp, Spanish Junior Minister in the Foreign Ministry, chairs the study group instructed by the Corfu European Council, held on 24 and 25 June 1994, to make preparations for the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

On 8 December 1995, the French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the report drawn up by the reflection group chaired by Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza, Spanish Junior Minister for European Affairs, on the challenges to be faced at the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) to reform the European Union and prepare it for its forthcoming enlargement.

On 16 December 1995, at the Madrid European Council, the Reflection Group established by the Corfu European Council of 24 and 25 June 1994 and chaired by Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza, Spanish Junior Minister for European Affairs, responsible for making preparations for the revision of the Treaty and for the drawing up of guidelines for reform of the European Union, proposes an agenda for the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).

List of the members of the reflection group chaired by Carlos Westendorp y Cabeza, Spanish Secretary of State for European Affairs, that was given the task by the Corfu European Council of 24 and 25 June 1994 of preparing the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) dealing with the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

On 18 March 1996, with a view to the Turin European Council, which will formally open the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) for the revision of the Treaty on European Union on 29 March, the Italian Government establishes its political objectives and priorities.

On 27 March 1996, on the eve of the European Council meeting in Turin, the British left-wing daily newspaper The Guardian is pessimistic about the outcome of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).

On 29 March 1996, in relation to the Turin European Council, the Vienna daily newspaper Die Presse expresses its pessimism about the chances of real results being achieved at the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) responsible for preparing the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

On 29 March 1996, at the formal opening of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) at the Turin European Council, Jacques F. Poos, Luxembourg Foreign Minister, delivers an address in which he outlines, in particular, the challenges faced by the European Union.

On 29 March 1996, at the formal opening of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) at the Turin European Council, Klaus Kinkel, German Foreign Minister, delivers an address in which he outlines the numerous implications of the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

On 29 March 1996, the Turin European Council formally opens the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the revision of the Treaty on European Union and defines its political and institutional programme.

On 29 March 1996, following the formal opening of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) by the Turin European Council, the German Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, holds a press conference during which he gives a positive assessment of the work begun by the Fifteen.

On 29 March 1996, at the Turin European Council, the Heads of State and Government of the Fifteen open the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) responsible for negotiating the future Amsterdam Treaty.

On 29 March 1996, the French daily newspaper Libération considers the institutional implications of the Turin European Council which, that very day, officially opens the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

On 1 April 1996, following the Turin European Council held on 29 March, the Austrian daily newspaper Die Presse expresses its confidence regarding the debates to be conducted at the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) which has the task of revising the Treaty on European Union.

On 9 December 1996, on the eve of the Dublin European Council, Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, and the German Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, send a joint letter to John Bruton, Irish Prime Minister and President-in-Office of the European Council, in which they outline the political and institutional priorities of France and Germany in connection with the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) for the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

On 11 December 1996, two days after Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, and Helmut Kohl, German Chancellor, send a joint letter to John Bruton, Irish Prime Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of the European Union, in which they set out the political and institutional priorities of France and Germany at the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) for the revision of the Treaty on European Union, the Austrian daily newspaper Die Presse highlights the difficulties faced by President Chirac in coordinating European and national policy.

At the end of the Dublin European Council of 13 and 14 December 1996, the Fifteen adopt various measures relating to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), employment and the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) responsible for the revision of the treaties.

On 14 December 1996, following the Dublin European Council, the French President, Jacques Chirac, considers the implications of the Intergovernmental Conference and expresses his optimism as regards the drawing up of a new draft treaty.

On 11 June 1997, Jacques Santer, President of the European Commission, delivers an address to the European Parliament in which he sets out the implications of the Amsterdam European Council to be held on 16 and 17 June and outlines the work of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

On 16 and 17 June 1997, at the Amsterdam European Council, the Fifteen adopt a series of measures relating to, in particular, Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), employment, competition and growth in Europe.

Group photo of the Heads of State or Government of the Fifteen at the Amsterdam European Council held on 16 and 17 June 1997.

Group photo of the Heads of State or Government of the Fifteen at the Amsterdam European Council (16–17 June 1997).

Schelto Patijn (à g.), bourgmestre d'Amsterdam et Hans van den Broek (à dr.), membre de la Commission européenne chargé des relations extérieures se rendent à l’ouverture du Conseil européen d'Amsterdam des 16 et 17 juin 1997.

On 16 and 17 June 1997, on the margins of the Amsterdam European Council, citizens and trade unionists from every country of the European Union demonstrate in the streets of the city in favour of a more social Europe.

On 16 June 1997, the daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort sets out the political and institutional implications of the Amsterdam European Council of 16 and 17 June.

On 16 June 1997, the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung analyses the chances of the successful establishment of an area of freedom, security and justice as considered by the Fifteen at the Amsterdam European Council of 16 and 17 June.

On 16 June 1997, in an article published in the daily newspaper La Libre Belgique during the Amsterdam European Council, Robin Cook, British Foreign Secretary, emphasises the need to place employment at the top of the Community’s list of priorities.

On 17 June 1997, commenting on the results of the Amsterdam European Council of 16 and 17 June, the British daily newspaper The Guardian sets out British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s positions on Europe.

On the day following the Amsterdam European Council, held on 16 and 17 June 1997, the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit analyses the outcome of the meeting of the Heads of State or Government of the Fifteen.

On 18 June 1997, Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, and his Prime Minister, Lionel Jospin, hold a joint press conference at which they summarise the results achieved by the Fifteen at the end of the Amsterdam European Council of 16 and 17 June.

On 18 June 1997, commenting on the outcome of the Amsterdam European Council held on 16 and 17 June, the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung puts the achievements of the Summit into perspective and emphasises the slow and gradual nature of the process of European integration.

On 18 June 1997, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro comments on the outcome of the Amsterdam European Council held on 16 and 17 June and notes the Fifteen’s wish to make headway in the process of European integration.

On 18 June 1997, in its coverage of the Amsterdam European Council of 16 and 17 June, the Bavarian daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung expresses its disappointment at the results achieved by the Fifteen concerning the reform of the European institutions.

On 19 June 1997, commenting on the Amsterdam European Council of 16 and 17 June, the French daily newspaper Le Monde emphasises the weaknesses of the Franco-German axis and criticises the Fifteen’s inability to resolve some of their problems.

On 19 June 1997, commenting on the Amsterdam European Council of 16 and 17 June 1997, the Madrid daily newspaper El País expresses its disappointment at the results achieved by the Heads of State or Government of the Fifteen.

On 21 June 1997, in an article for the Lisbon weekly newspaper Expresso, Francisco Seixas da Costa, Junior Foreign Minister and representative of Portugal at the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), comments on the Amsterdam European Council of 16 and 17 June and analyses the political and institutional achievements of the European Summit.

On 24 June 1997, commenting on the Amsterdam European Council of 16 and 17 June, the Madrid daily newspaper El País criticises the absence of decisions taken by the Fifteen in the area of European political integration.

In an article published in the magazine Internationale Spectator in August 1997, Frans Andriessen, former Netherlands Finance Minister and former Vice-President of the Commission of the European Communities, criticises the lack of progress made at the Amsterdam European Council of 16 and 17 June.

On 17 October 1996, as part of the work of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) for the revision of the Treaty on European Union, Hervé de Charette, French Minister for Foreign Affairs, and his German counterpart, Klaus Kinkel, send a joint letter to Dick Spring, Irish Prime Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of Ministers of the EU, in which they advocate the principle of enhanced cooperation in order to allow Member States who so wish, and who have the capacity to do so, to progress more quickly than others on the road to the deepening of European integration, in particular with a view to the enlargement of the EU.

On 25 March 1997, in an interview for the French daily newspaper Le Figaro, Hervé de Charette, French Foreign Minister, comments on the work of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) for the revision of the Treaty on European Union.

Le 4 septembre 1997, répondant à une question parlementaire à l'Assemblée nationale, Pierre Moscovici, ministre français délégué aux Affaires européennes, détaille les dispositions principales relatives à la mise en oeuvre des coopérations renforcées au sein de l'Union européenne.

In this interview, Pierre Moscovici, former French Minister in the Foreign Ministry with responsibility for European Affairs, summarises the position of the French Government led by Lionel Jospin on the Treaty of Amsterdam.