Question

What did European Political Co-operation achieve?

• A. It created an intergovernmental framework for coordination on foreign policy issues
• B. It created the position of foreign minister for the European Community
• C. It introduced a foreign policy dimension to the European Community
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A It created an intergovernmental framework for coordination on foreign policy issues

European Political Co-operation (EPC) created an intergovernmental framework for coordination on foreign policy issues. This represented 'deepening' of integration and it allowed Member States to develop common positions on the Middle East (which was important as part of Europe's response to the oil crisis caused by OPEC embargoes), and at the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe and for UN General Assembly voting. This co-operation was limited. EPC did not take place within the institutional framework of the European Community; co-operation took place purely on an intergovernmental basis, without the involvement of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice. It was also limited-it did not create a foreign minister position.