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 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 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 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 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.

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.

Conclusions of the European Council held in Madrid on 15 and 16 December 1995 to close the second Spanish Presidency of the European Union, in which the major themes covered include employment, the single currency, the holding of an Intergovernmental Conference in 1996 for the revision of the Treaties, and the enlargement of the EU towards Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean.

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).