The European Commissions led by Jacques Delors are regarded by some as the most successful in the
European Union's history at advancing integration. Delors himself became an icon of
Euro-federalists and widely disliked by
Eurosceptics, especially
in Britain. Following Delors' arrival in
Brussels, he visited the various member states and found the same complaint that Europe reacted too slowly to issues, but did find common agreement on the
single market, with its business and cultural meaning, and hence Delors placed it as his main priority with a date for its achievement: 1992 (
Objectif 1992). Despite his modern reputation he was criticised by federalists for not going far enough, even earning criticism from
Altiero Spinelli in the
European Parliament, but Delors defended his goals as pragmatic stating "we are all slaves to the circumstances" . To accomplish his goal of completing the single market, Delors had to master the political system of the community: with any member able to block a proposal in the
Council, Delors convinced leaders to introduce
Qualified Majority Voting so the procedure could not grind to a halt as it did under the budget disagreement. Thus, Delors set
Lord Cockfield, his
Internal Market Commissioner, in drafting the legislation. Now, Cockfield's work is seen as highly precise and his knowledge of the system legendary. The Delors Commission was also responsible for the creation of the
Committee of the Regions, having enshrined the idea of cohesion between EU states and regions in the SEA in 1986 leading Delors to propose the body in 1992. It was created in 1994 and the building the body occupies was named after Delors in 2006. Delors' Commission oversaw a large degree of
expansion. The membership of Spain and Portugal came first in 1985; then the fall of the
Berlin Wall enabled the
Reunification of Germany; and in 1995 came the
accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden. The Delors Commission also prepared the opening to the eastern countries who later joined in 2004. In 1992, as Delors' second term was coming to an end, the International Herald Tribune noted the effect of the Delors Commission, and the need for a third term; Following his entrance into a Europe of eurosclerosis, Delors had heralded 20 years of euphoria. In opposition to the strident
neoliberalism of U.S. president
Ronald Reagan (serv. 1981–1989) which
dominated the American political agenda, Delors and his Commission promoted an alternative interpretation of
capitalism that embedded it in the European social structure. He synthesized three themes. From the left came favouring the
redistribution of wealth, and the protection of the weakest. Second ,a
neomercantilist approach wanted to maximize European industrial output. A third was reliance on the marketplace. His emphasis on the social nature of Europe is central to an important
exceptionalism narrative that became central to the self identification of the European Union.
Major events The commission was the longest serving executive to date and oversaw many events in the history of the Union. • 1985:
Greenland leaves the Community. Gravier ruling by the
ECJ on non-discrimination by nationality. • 1986: Spain and Portugal join the Communities. The
Single European Act is signed. Marshall ruling by the ECJ on non-discrimination by gender. The
European flag is adopted by the Communities, it is raised outside the
Berlaymont. • 1987: 30 years since the
Treaties of Rome. Membership application submitted by
Turkey.
Single European Act enters into force. • 1988: Delors asked to draw up a report on
Economic and Monetary Union (the Delors Report). The
Court of First Instance is established. The Delors Package I was adopted, increasing the budget (notably for structural policy) and reforming the budgetary procedure. • 1989: Cowan ruling by the ECJ on non-discrimination by nationality. Delors Report presented. Declaration of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms adopted by the
Parliament. Third direct elections to Parliament held. Spain and Portugal join the
European Monetary System.
Berlin Wall falls, leading to agreements and accession of eastern countries.
Lomé Convention signed. First
European Union Merger law adopted. • 1990: Commission meets for 1000th time.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development established.
Schengen agreement signed. Reunification of Germany. • 1991: Stoeckel ruling by the ECJ on non-discrimination by gender.
ECHO established. Energy Charter signed.
USSR dissolves. • 1992:
Maastricht Treaty signed, Denmark fails to
ratify.
European Economic Area (EEA) agreement signed, Switzerland fails to ratify. • 1993: Single European Market enters force. Maastricht is ratified and enters into force. • 1994:
European Monetary Institute established. EEA enters force.
Committee of the Regions established. Accession negotiations for Austria, Norway, Sweden and Finland conclude.
European Investment Fund established. Hungary and Poland apply to join. Fourth direct elections to the Parliament are held. ==Members==