by Peter Coffey THE BACKGROUND Once again, Europe finds itselfata majorcrossroads. In January, 1999, the Euro, the European currency, was launched. This major undertaking does reaffinn the EuropeanUnion'scommon international monetarypersonality whilst further deepening the integration process in Western Europe. The launch of the Euro has gone hand-in-hand with an intensification of the negotiating process between the European Union (EU) and a number of countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus which are seeking membershipofthe EU. These countriesare divided into two groups, i. e. the...

Latin America's experience with regional economic integration has been only slightly shorter than that of Europe. In fact, the first attempt at integration started as early as 1960, with the creation of LAFTA - the Latin American Free Trade Area (subsequently replaced by LAIA - the Latin American Integration Association). LAFTA, composed of 11 countries, sought, unsuccessfully, to create a free trade area in 12 years. In 1969, the Andean pact, which sought, also unsuccessfully, to create a sub-regional free trade area, was set up. Recently the Presidents of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and...

The European M:: metary System (EMS) is perhaps the only success story of the Common Market since the First Enlargement. Its success, particul arly where the comnercial use of the ECU is concerned, has taken rrost experts by surprise. So much so, that when the author tried to recommend to his students a suitable and substantial work of study and/or reference about the experience of the EMS and its possible future evolution --- no book could be found. Thus, the author set out to write the present work. The author's aim is not to give a historical account of the EHS. Rather, the intention is to...

THEBACKGROUND Why a book on Europe - Toward the Year 200l? There are two principal reasons why a European should embark upon such a hazardous enterprise. First, when the Treaty on European Union (popularly known as the Maastricht Treaty, and, hereafter referred to as the Treaty in this introduction) was signed in February 1992, it was agreed that the heads of government of the EU Member States would assemble, in 1996, to examine its workings. This meeting will be known as the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). Second, by the end of the century, it is certain that arrangements will have been...

THEBACKGROUND Why a book on Europe - Toward the Year 200l? There are two principal reasons why a European should embark upon such a hazardous enterprise. First, when the Treaty on European Union (popularly known as the Maastricht Treaty, and, hereafter referred to as the Treaty in this introduction) was signed in February 1992, it was agreed that the heads of government of the EU Member States would assemble, in 1996, to examine its workings. This meeting will be known as the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). Second, by the end of the century, it is certain that arrangements will have been...

Main Economic Policy Areas of the EC: After 1992 is a completely rewritten version of past editions. It examines successes and problems associated with the EC's main economic policy areas and makes proposals for the future. For the first time, a chapter on the very important policy area of transport is included. This volume is an indispensable course book and handbook for all individuals interested in the European Community's main policy areas at the beginning of the coming into effect of the Single European Market.