Euratom: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|International | {{Short description|International organization}} | ||
{{EngvarB|date=June 2025}} | {{EngvarB|date=June 2025}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} | ||
{{Infobox Geopolitical organisation | {{Infobox Geopolitical organisation | ||
|name = {{collapsible list | |name = {{collapsible list | ||
|titlestyle = | |titlestyle = text-align:center; font-size:9pt; | ||
|framestyle = width: 263px; border: none; font-size: 90%; | |framestyle = width: 263px; border: none; font-size: 90%; | ||
|title = {{resize|11.5pt|European Atomic Energy Community}} | |title = {{resize|11.5pt|European Atomic Energy Community}} | ||
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|languages = [[Languages of the European Union|24 languages]] | |languages = [[Languages of the European Union|24 languages]] | ||
|established = 1958 | |established = 1958 | ||
|established_event1 = [[Euratom Treaty]] | |established_event1 = [[Euratom Treaty]]<ref name="11957A/TXT">{{cite web |date=17 April 1957 |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:11957A/TXT |format=PDF |title=Document 11957A/TXT – Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) |location=[[Brussels]] |website=eur-lex.europa.eu |publisher=Europa (web portal) |access-date=8 August 2025}}</ref> | ||
|established_date1 = 1 January 1958 | |established_date1 = 1 January 1958 | ||
|established_event2 = [[Merger Treaty]] | |established_event2 = [[Merger Treaty]] | ||
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|demonym=|area_km2=|area_rank=|GDP_PPP=|GDP_PPP_year=|HDI=|HDI_year=|today=}} | |demonym=|area_km2=|area_rank=|GDP_PPP=|GDP_PPP_year=|HDI=|HDI_year=|today=}} | ||
The '''European Atomic Energy Community''' ('''EAEC''' or ''' | The '''European Atomic Energy Community''' ('''EAEC''' or '''EURATOM''')<ref name="11957A/TXT"/> is an [[international organization]] established by the [[Euratom Treaty]] of 1957 with the original purpose of creating a specialist market for [[nuclear power]] in Europe,<ref name="11957A/TXT"/> by developing nuclear energy and distributing it to its member states while selling the surplus to non-member states. Having become one of the three [[European Communities]] alongside the [[European Coal and Steel Community]] and the [[European Economic Community]] following the [[Merger Treaty|merger of their executive bodies]] in 1967, the Euratom is ''[[de facto]]'' under the authority of the [[European Union]] (EU) but remains ''[[de jure]]'' a separate organization.<ref name="11957A/TXT"/> | ||
It is legally distinct from the European Union | It is legally distinct from the European Union although it has the same [[Member states of the European Union|membership]],<ref name="11957A/TXT"/> and is governed by many of the [[Institutions of the European Union|EU's institutions]]; but it is the only remaining community organization that is independent of the EU and therefore outside the regulatory control of the [[European Parliament]]. Over the years its scope has been increased to cover a variety of areas associated with [[nuclear power]] and [[ionising radiation]] as diverse as safeguarding of [[nuclear materials]], [[radiation protection]], coordinating EU members' [[Nuclear technology|nuclear research programmes]] for peaceful purposes,<ref name="11957A/TXT"/> and construction of the [[International Thermonuclear Reactor|International Fusion Reactor]]. | ||
The United Kingdom [[Brexit|ceased to be | Since 2014, Switzerland has also participated in Euratom programmes as an associated state.<ref name=":0">{{CELEX|32014D0954|text=2014/954/Euratom: Council Decision of 4 December 2014 approving the conclusion by the European Commission, on behalf of the European Atomic Energy Community, of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and European Atomic Energy Community and the Swiss Confederation associating the Swiss Confederation to Horizon 2020 — the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community complementing Horizon 2020, and regulating the Swiss Confederation's participation in the ITER activities carried out by Fusion for Energy}}</ref> The United Kingdom [[Brexit|ceased to be a full member of the organization]] on 31 January 2020.<ref>[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/9/pdfs/ukpgaen_20170009_en.pdf European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Act 2017 (c. 9) EXPLANATORY NOTES], p. 4: "The power that is provided by section 1(1) applies to withdrawal from the EU. This includes the European Atomic Energy Community (‘Euratom’), as the European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 sets out that the term “EU" includes (as the context permits or requires) Euratom (section 3(2))."</ref><ref>{{Cite report|last=Hinson|first=Suzanna|date=8 January 2019|title=Commons Briefing papers CBP-8036 |url=https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-8036}}</ref> However, under the terms of the [[EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement]], the United Kingdom participates in Euratom as an associated state following the end of the [[Brexit withdrawal agreement#Transition_period|transition period]] on 31 December 2020.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Draft EU-UK Declarations |url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/draft_eu-uk_declarations.pdf|access-date=26 December 2020|website=European Commission|page=21}}</ref> | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-45653-0001, Rom, Verträge über Zollpakt und Eurotom unterzeichnet.jpg|thumb|left| | {{Main|Aftermath of World War II}} | ||
{{Further|Cold War (1953–1962)|History of European integration (1948–1957)}} | |||
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-45653-0001, Rom, Verträge über Zollpakt und Eurotom unterzeichnet.jpg|thumb|230px|left|From left to right: [[Konrad Adenauer]], [[Walter Hallstein]], and [[Antonio Segni]] signing the [[European Union Customs Union|European customs union]] and [[Euratom Treaty]] in [[Rome]], Italy ([[Bundesarchiv]], 1 April 1957)]] | |||
The driving force behind the creation of | The driving force behind the creation of the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) was [[France]]'s desire to develop [[nuclear power]] and [[nuclear weapons]] without having to rely on the [[United States]] and/or the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Nieburg |first=H. L. |year=1963 |title=EURATOM: A Study in Coalition Politics |journal=World Politics |language=en |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=597–622 |doi=10.2307/2009458 |jstor=2009458 |s2cid=153589335 |issn=1086-3338}}</ref> The costs of nuclear development were also large, motivating France to share the costs with the other member states of the [[European Coal and Steel Community]] (ECSC).<ref name=":2" /> During the negotiations to create Euratom, the United States and the United Kingdom sought to gain influence over nuclear development in [[Europe]].<ref name=":2" /> Hence, the US and the UK created the [[European Nuclear Energy Agency]] (ENEA) as a way to limit the value of Euratom and gain influence over the spread of [[nuclear technology]].<ref name=":2"/> The [[Soviet Union]] launched a [[Propaganda in the Soviet Union|propaganda campaign]] against Euratom, as it sought to stoke fears among Europeans that the organization would enable [[West Germany]] to develop nuclear weapons for its own military purposes.<ref name=":2"/> | ||
The [[Intergovernmental Conference on the Common Market and Euratom]] at the [[Château of Val-Duchesse]] in 1956 drew up the essentials of the new treaties. Euratom would foster cooperation in the nuclear field, at the time a very popular area, and would, along with the EEC, share the Common Assembly and [[European Court of Justice|Court of Justice]] of the ECSC, but not its executives. Euratom would have its own Council and Commission, with fewer powers than the [[High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community]]. On 25 March 1957, the Treaties of Rome (the [[Euratom Treaty]] and the [[Treaty of Rome|EEC Treaty]]) were signed by the six [[Inner Six|ECSC members]] and on 1 January 1958 they came into force.<ref name=":2"/><ref>[http://www.cvce.eu/obj/a_european_atomic_energy_community-en-19bc7f11-bea1-49c7-b534-18327c303f41.html A European Atomic Energy Community] CVCE</ref><ref>[http://www.cvce.eu/obj/the_signing_of_the_rome_treaties-en-2f643b3d-aba2-422c-8a94-79a0531e6559.html The signing of the Rome Treaties] CVCE</ref><ref>[http://www.cvce.eu/obj/drafting_of_the_rome_treaties-en-8efe2279-ee12-4a75-aeeb-0bd547f4128f.html Drafting of the Rome Treaties] CVCE</ref> | |||
The [[European Parliament|Common Assembly]] proposed extending the powers of the ECSC to cover other sources of energy. However, [[Jean Monnet]], ECSC architect and President, wanted a separate community to cover [[nuclear power]]. [[Louis Armand]] was put in charge of a study into the prospects of nuclear energy use in Europe; his report concluded that further nuclear development was needed to fill the deficit left by the exhaustion of coal deposits and to [[ | The [[European Parliament|Common Assembly]] proposed extending the powers of the ECSC to cover other sources of energy. However, [[Jean Monnet]], ECSC architect and President, wanted a separate community to cover [[nuclear power]].{{efn|[[Nuclear power]] has been used since the 1950s as a low-carbon source of [[Base load|baseload]] electricity.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rhodes|first=Richard|date=19 July 2018|title=Why Nuclear Power Must Be Part of the Energy Solution |website=[[Yale Environment 360]]|publisher=[[Yale School of the Environment]] |url=https://e360.yale.edu/features/why-nuclear-power-must-be-part-of-the-energy-solution-environmentalists-climate|url-status=live|access-date=24 July 2021|archive-date=9 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809182424/https://e360.yale.edu/features/why-nuclear-power-must-be-part-of-the-energy-solution-environmentalists-climate}}</ref> Nuclear power plants in over 30 countries generate about 10% of global electricity.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=June 2021|title=Nuclear Power in the World Today|publisher=[[World Nuclear Association]]|url=https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/nuclear-power-in-the-world-today.aspx|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716094103/https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/nuclear-power-in-the-world-today.aspx|archive-date=16 July 2021|access-date=19 July 2021}}</ref> As of 2019, nuclear generated over a quarter of all [[low-carbon power|low-carbon energy]], making it the second largest source after [[hydropower]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://ourworldindata.org/energy-mix |last1=Ritchie|first1=Hannah|author1-link=Hannah Ritchie |last2=Roser|first2=Max|author2-link=Max Roser |title=Energy mix|year=2020|journal=[[Our World in Data]]|url-status=live|access-date=9 July 2021 |archive-date=2 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210702082157/https://ourworldindata.org/energy-mix}}</ref>}} The President of the European Commission, [[Louis Armand]], was put in charge of a study into the prospects of nuclear energy use in Europe; his report concluded that further nuclear development was needed to fill the deficit left by the [[Mineral industry of Europe|exhaustion of coal deposits]] and to [[Energy security|reduce dependence]] on oil producers. However, the [[Benelux]] countries and [[West Germany]] were also keen on creating a general [[single market]], although it was opposed by France due to its [[protectionism]], and Jean Monnet thought it too large and difficult a task. In 1957, Monnet proposed the creation of separate atomic energy and economic communities to reconcile both groups.<ref>[http://www.cvce.eu/obj/1957_1968_successes_and_crises-en-5136b72a-0de2-4636-bda0-27e58b6c83e8.html 1957–1968 Successes and crises] CVCE</ref> To save on resources, these separate executives created by the Rome Treaties were unified by the [[Merger Treaty]] in 1967. The [[Institutions of the European Union#History|institutions of the EEC]] would take over responsibilities for the running of the ECSC and Euratom, with all three then becoming known as the [[European Communities]] even if each legally existed separately. In 1993, the [[Maastricht Treaty]] set the foundation of the [[European Union]] (EU), which absorbed the Communities into the [[European Community]] pillar, while Euratom still maintained a distinct legal personality. | ||
The [[Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe|European Constitution]] was intended to consolidate all previous treaties and increase [[Liberal democracy|democratic accountability]] in them. The [[Euratom Treaty]] had not been amended as the other treaties had, so the [[European Parliament]] had been granted few powers over it. However, the reason it had gone unamended was the same reason the Constitution left it to remain separate from the rest of the EU: a strong [[Anti-nuclear movement|anti-nuclear sentiment]] among the European electorate, which may unnecessarily turn voters against the treaty.<ref>[http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/euratom-nuking-europe-s-futur/ Euratom: nuking Europe's future] Greenpeace International, 9 July 2003</ref><ref>[http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2003/MJ_03_March_declaration.htm One hundred civil society groups say abolish Euratom!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523190508/http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2003/MJ_03_March_declaration.htm |date=23 May 2008 }} Friends of the Earth Europe, 3 March 2003</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eu-energy.com/euratom-reform.htm|title=Euratom Loans|website=eu-energy.com}}</ref> The Euratom treaty thus remains in force relatively unamended from its original signing. | |||
The [[Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe|European Constitution]] was intended to consolidate all previous treaties and increase democratic accountability in them. The Euratom | |||
== EU evolution timeline == | == EU evolution timeline == | ||
{{EU evolution timeline}} | {{EU evolution timeline}} | ||
== Cooperation == | == Cooperation == | ||
{{Main|European Communities}} | |||
{{Further|Economy of the European Union}} | |||
{{Politics of the European Union}} | {{Politics of the European Union}} | ||
* Since 2014, Switzerland has participated in Euratom programmes as an associated state.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
* Since January 2021, the United Kingdom participates in Euratom programmes as an associated state under the terms of the [[EU–UK | * Since 2014, Switzerland has participated in Euratom programmes as an associated state.<ref name=":0"/> | ||
* As of 2024, Euratom maintains Co-operation Agreements of various scopes with ten countries: Armenia,<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 April 2018 |title=Armenian president declares readiness to enhance cooperation with European Union |url=http://arka.am/en/news/politics/armenian_president_declares_readiness_to_enhance_cooperation_with_european_union/ |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=ARKA}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://inis.iaea.org/search/search.aspx?orig_q=RN:13676122|title=Cooperation between Euratom and Australia|first=Knoerich|last=V.|date=28 April 1981|journal=Atw. Atomwirtschaft, Atomtechnik|volume=26|issue=12}}</ref> Canada,<ref>{{CELEX|21959A1006(01)|text=Agreement between the Government of Canada and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy}}</ref> India,<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 July 2020 |title=India, EU sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement on eve of Summit |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-eu-sign-civil-nuclear-cooperation-agreement-on-eve-of-summit/story-EpPnbxaN92LTkYCIiFqnTM.html |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Euratom-signs-fusion-energy-declaration-with-Japan|title=Euratom signs fusion energy declaration with Japan : New Nuclear – World Nuclear News|website=world-nuclear-news.org}}</ref> Kazakhstan,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.informea.org/en/treaties/agreement-between-government-kazakhstan-and-european-atomic-energy-community-euratom|title=Agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) on cooperation in the sphere of peaceful use of nuclear energy | InforMEA|website=informea.org}}</ref> South Africa,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/31664/|title=Agreement between RSA & European Atomic Energy Community for Co-operation on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy | PMG|website=pmg.org.za}}</ref> Ukraine,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.kpi.kharkov.ua/eestc/en/2021/10/25/ukraine-joins-horizon-europe-and-euratom-programs/|title=UKRAINE JOINS "HORIZON EUROPE" AND "EURATOM" PROGRAMS – European Educational Scientific Technological Center|date=25 October 2021 |accessdate=5 March 2023}}</ref> United States,<ref>{{CELEX|21996A0520(01)|text=Agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the European Atomic Energy Community and the United States of America – Agreed Minute – Declaration on non-proliferation policy}}</ref> and Uzbekistan.<ref>{{CELEX|22003A1021(01)|text=Agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan}}</ref> | * Since January 2021, the United Kingdom participates in Euratom programmes as an associated state under the terms of the [[EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement]].<ref name=":1"/><ref name="ft-20170126">{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/fe3b50a4-e3e1-11e6-8405-9e5580d6e5fb |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/fe3b50a4-e3e1-11e6-8405-9e5580d6e5fb |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=UK confirms plan to leave European atomic energy community|date=26 January 2017 |author1=Alex Barker |author2=Arthur Beesley |newspaper=Financial Times |access-date=27 January 2017}}</ref> | ||
* As of 2024, Euratom maintains Co-operation Agreements of various scopes with ten countries: Armenia,<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 April 2018 |title=Armenian president declares readiness to enhance cooperation with European Union |url=http://arka.am/en/news/politics/armenian_president_declares_readiness_to_enhance_cooperation_with_european_union/ |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=ARKA}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://inis.iaea.org/search/search.aspx?orig_q=RN:13676122|title=Cooperation between Euratom and Australia|first=Knoerich|last=V.|date=28 April 1981|journal=Atw. Atomwirtschaft, Atomtechnik|volume=26|issue=12}}</ref> Canada,<ref>{{CELEX|21959A1006(01)|text=Agreement between the Government of Canada and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy}}</ref> India,<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 July 2020 |title=India, EU sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement on eve of Summit |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-eu-sign-civil-nuclear-cooperation-agreement-on-eve-of-summit/story-EpPnbxaN92LTkYCIiFqnTM.html |access-date=2022-04-28 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Euratom-signs-fusion-energy-declaration-with-Japan|title=Euratom signs fusion energy declaration with Japan : New Nuclear – World Nuclear News|website=world-nuclear-news.org |date=3 March 2020 }}</ref> Kazakhstan,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.informea.org/en/treaties/agreement-between-government-kazakhstan-and-european-atomic-energy-community-euratom|title=Agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) on cooperation in the sphere of peaceful use of nuclear energy | InforMEA|website=informea.org}}</ref> South Africa,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/31664/|title=Agreement between RSA & European Atomic Energy Community for Co-operation on the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy | PMG|website=pmg.org.za}}</ref> Ukraine,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.kpi.kharkov.ua/eestc/en/2021/10/25/ukraine-joins-horizon-europe-and-euratom-programs/|title=UKRAINE JOINS "HORIZON EUROPE" AND "EURATOM" PROGRAMS – European Educational Scientific Technological Center|date=25 October 2021 |accessdate=5 March 2023}}</ref> United States,<ref>{{CELEX|21996A0520(01)|text=Agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the European Atomic Energy Community and the United States of America – Agreed Minute – Declaration on non-proliferation policy}}</ref> and Uzbekistan.<ref>{{CELEX|22003A1021(01)|text=Agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan}}</ref> | |||
== Withdrawal of the United Kingdom == | == Withdrawal of the United Kingdom == | ||
{{ | {{Main|United Kingdom invocation of Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union}} | ||
{{Further|Post-Brexit United Kingdom relations with the European Union}} | |||
The [[United Kingdom]] announced its intention to withdraw from the EAEC on 26 January 2017, following on from [[Brexit|its decision to withdraw from the European Union]].<ref name="ft-20170126"/><ref>{{cite news|author1=Sam Gosden |author2=Emily Coates |url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/article/britain-quits-european-nuclear-body-pgmq9m9fc|title=Britain quits European nuclear body |date=21 December 2017 |website=[[The Times]]}}</ref><ref name="guardian-20170127">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jan/27/uk-exit-eu-atomic-treaty-brexit-euratom-hinkley-point-c|title=UK exit from EU atomic treaty under Brexit 'will delay power stations'|date=27 January 2017 |author=Adam Vaughan|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=27 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.nature.com/news/researchers-shocked-at-uk-s-plan-to-exit-eu-nuclear-agency-1.21388|title=Researchers shocked at UK's plan to exit EU nuclear agency |first=Elizabeth |last=Gibney |journal=Nature|year=2017|doi=10.1038/nature.2017.21388|s2cid=184656918|doi-access=free}}</ref> Formal notice to withdraw from the EAEC was provided in March 2017, within the [[Article 50]] notification letter, where the withdrawal was made explicit.<ref>{{cite web|title=Prime Minister May's letter to EU|date=29 March 2017|publisher=[[Government of the United Kingdom]] |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/604079/Prime_Ministers_letter_to_European_Council_President_Donald_Tusk.pdf|access-date=1 April 2017}}</ref> Withdrawal only became effective following negotiations on the terms of the exit, which lasted two years and ten months. | |||
In June 2017, the European Commission's negotiations task force published a ''Position paper transmitted to EU27 on nuclear materials and safeguard equipment (Euratom)'', titled "Essential Principles on nuclear materials and safeguard equipment".<ref>{{ | A report by the House of Commons' [[Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee]], published in May 2017, questioned the legal necessity of leaving Euratom, and called for a temporary extension of the United Kingdom's membership of Euratom in order to allow time for new arrangements to be made instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/business-energy-industrial-strategy/news-parliament-2015/leaving-eu-energy-climate-change-report-published-16-17/|title=Government must act urgently to end Brexit risk to nuclear industry|website=UK Parliament|language=en|access-date=8 July 2017}}</ref> In June 2017, the European Commission's negotiations task force published a ''Position paper transmitted to EU27 on nuclear materials and safeguard equipment (Euratom)'', titled "Essential Principles on nuclear materials and safeguard equipment".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publications/position-paper-transmitted-eu27-nuclear-materials-and-safeguard-equipment-euratom_en |title=Position paper transmitted to EU27 on nuclear materials and safeguard equipment (Euratom)|date=23 June 2017|website=European Commission |language=en|access-date=27 June 2017}}</ref> The following month, a briefing paper from the House of Commons Library assessed the implications of leaving Euratom.<ref>{{cite report|title=Briefing Paper CBP 8036: Euratom |last=Hinson|first=Suzanna|date=7 July 2017|website=UK Parliament |url=http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-8036|access-date=8 July 2017}}</ref> | ||
In 2017, an article | In July 2017, an article published by ''[[The Independent]]'' questioned the availability of nuclear power to the United Kingdom after 2019 if the country were to withdraw from the [[Euratom Treaty]], and the need for new treaties relating to the transportation of nuclear materials.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brexit-nuclear-power-euratom-hinckley-point-risks-nuclear-fusion-energy-bills-a7832136.html|title=Brexit will create 'an alarming mess' for UK nuclear industry, scientists warn|date=9 July 2017|work=The Independent}}</ref> During the same month, an article published by the ''[[New Scientist]]'' stated that radioisotope supply for cancer treatments would also need to be considered in new treaties.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2140607-brexiteers-must-not-risk-uks-nuclear-future-by-leaving-euratom/|title=Brexiteers must not risk UK's nuclear future by leaving Euratom|date=12 July 2017|work=The New Scientist}}</ref> | ||
British politicians speculated that the United Kingdom could retain its membership in the EAEC. In 2017, some argued that this would require—beyond the [[Brexit negotiations|consent of the EU27]]—amendment or revocation of the Article 50 letter of March 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/0f57f69d-305d-3f9f-834f-90e43e3f2633 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/0f57f69d-305d-3f9f-834f-90e43e3f2633 |archive-date=10 December 2022|title=Brexit: what happens to Article 50 in a U-turn on Euratom?|work=Financial Times|access-date=11 July 2017|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The ''[[Nuclear Safeguards Act 2018]]'', making provision for safeguards after withdrawal from Euratom, received royal assent on 26 June 2018.<ref name="uk-withdrawal-act-2018">{{cite web |title=Bill stages — Nuclear Safeguards Act 2018 — UK Parliament |url=https://services.parliament.uk/Bills/2017-19/nuclearsafeguards/stages.html |publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom |access-date=9 July 2018 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
The [[EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement]], outlining the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union from 1 January 2021 onwards, makes provision for the country's participation "as an associated country of all parts of the Euratom programme".<ref name=":1"/> | |||
The [[EU–UK | |||
== Achievements == | == Achievements == | ||
In the history of European regulation, Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty represents pioneering legislation concerning binding transfrontier obligations with respect to environmental impact and protection of | In the history of [[Law of the European Union|European regulation]], Article 37 of the [[Euratom Treaty]] represents a pioneering legislation concerning binding transfrontier obligations with respect to [[environmental impact]] and [[Environmental protection|protection]] of human lives, especially regarding the dismantling of [[nuclear reactor]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fz-juelich.de/portal/lw_resource/datapool/__pages/pdp_1407/atw-2008-06_HEUEL-FABIANEK.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911042258/http://www.fz-juelich.de/portal/lw_resource/datapool/__pages/pdp_1407/atw-2008-06_HEUEL-FABIANEK.pdf |url-status=dead |title=Heuel-Fabianek, B., Kümmerle, E., Möllmann-Coers, M., Lennartz, R. (2008): The relevance of Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty for the dismantling of nuclear reactors. atw – International Journal for Nuclear Power 6/2008|archive-date=11 September 2008}}</ref> | ||
== President == | == President == | ||
{{ | {{Further|President of the European Commission}} | ||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; style="width=100%" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; style="width=100%" | ||
| Line 171: | Line 165: | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
{{Portal|European Union}} | {{Portal|Energy|European Union|Nuclear technology}} | ||
* [[Energy Community]] (EC) | |||
* [[Energy Community]] | |||
* [[Energy policy of the European Union]] | * [[Energy policy of the European Union]] | ||
** [[Nuclear energy in the European Union]] | |||
*** The [[Nuclear power|nuclear sector]] of the [[Seventh Framework Programme|Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development]], the European Union's chief instrument for funding research. | |||
* [[EU Directorate General Joint Research Centre]], often incorrectly mistaken for EURATOM due to the organization being its origin. | |||
* [[History of the European Union]] | * [[History of the European Union]] | ||
* [[Institutions of the European Union]] | ** [[Institutions of the European Union]] | ||
* [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] | * [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA) | ||
* [[Nuclear | ** [[Integrated Nuclear Fuel Cycle Information System]] (iNFCIS) | ||
* | * [[International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation]] (IFNEC) | ||
* [[Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument]] (NDICI-GE) | |||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
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{{authority control}} | {{authority control}} | ||
[[Category:1958 establishments in Europe]] | |||
[[Category:Energy policies and initiatives of the European Union]] | |||
[[Category:European Atomic Energy Community| ]] | [[Category:European Atomic Energy Community| ]] | ||
[[Category:European Union and science and technology]] | |||
[[Category:Intergovernmental organizations established by treaty]] | |||
[[Category:International nuclear energy organizations]] | [[Category:International nuclear energy organizations]] | ||
[[Category:International organizations based in Europe]] | [[Category:International organizations based in Europe]] | ||
[[Category:Organizations established in 1958]] | [[Category:Organizations established in 1958]] | ||
[[Category:Radiation protection organizations]] | [[Category:Radiation protection organizations]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:51, 10 September 2025
Template:Short description Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox Geopolitical organisation
The European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or EURATOM)[1] is an international organization established by the Euratom Treaty of 1957 with the original purpose of creating a specialist market for nuclear power in Europe,[1] by developing nuclear energy and distributing it to its member states while selling the surplus to non-member states. Having become one of the three European Communities alongside the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community following the merger of their executive bodies in 1967, the Euratom is de facto under the authority of the European Union (EU) but remains de jure a separate organization.[1]
It is legally distinct from the European Union although it has the same membership,[1] and is governed by many of the EU's institutions; but it is the only remaining community organization that is independent of the EU and therefore outside the regulatory control of the European Parliament. Over the years its scope has been increased to cover a variety of areas associated with nuclear power and ionising radiation as diverse as safeguarding of nuclear materials, radiation protection, coordinating EU members' nuclear research programmes for peaceful purposes,[1] and construction of the International Fusion Reactor.
Since 2014, Switzerland has also participated in Euratom programmes as an associated state.[2] The United Kingdom ceased to be a full member of the organization on 31 January 2020.[3][4] However, under the terms of the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the United Kingdom participates in Euratom as an associated state following the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020.[5]
History
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The driving force behind the creation of the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) was France's desire to develop nuclear power and nuclear weapons without having to rely on the United States and/or the United Kingdom.[6] The costs of nuclear development were also large, motivating France to share the costs with the other member states of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).[6] During the negotiations to create Euratom, the United States and the United Kingdom sought to gain influence over nuclear development in Europe.[6] Hence, the US and the UK created the European Nuclear Energy Agency (ENEA) as a way to limit the value of Euratom and gain influence over the spread of nuclear technology.[6] The Soviet Union launched a propaganda campaign against Euratom, as it sought to stoke fears among Europeans that the organization would enable West Germany to develop nuclear weapons for its own military purposes.[6]
The Intergovernmental Conference on the Common Market and Euratom at the Château of Val-Duchesse in 1956 drew up the essentials of the new treaties. Euratom would foster cooperation in the nuclear field, at the time a very popular area, and would, along with the EEC, share the Common Assembly and Court of Justice of the ECSC, but not its executives. Euratom would have its own Council and Commission, with fewer powers than the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community. On 25 March 1957, the Treaties of Rome (the Euratom Treaty and the EEC Treaty) were signed by the six ECSC members and on 1 January 1958 they came into force.[6][7][8][9]
The Common Assembly proposed extending the powers of the ECSC to cover other sources of energy. However, Jean Monnet, ECSC architect and President, wanted a separate community to cover nuclear power.Template:Efn The President of the European Commission, Louis Armand, was put in charge of a study into the prospects of nuclear energy use in Europe; his report concluded that further nuclear development was needed to fill the deficit left by the exhaustion of coal deposits and to reduce dependence on oil producers. However, the Benelux countries and West Germany were also keen on creating a general single market, although it was opposed by France due to its protectionism, and Jean Monnet thought it too large and difficult a task. In 1957, Monnet proposed the creation of separate atomic energy and economic communities to reconcile both groups.[10] To save on resources, these separate executives created by the Rome Treaties were unified by the Merger Treaty in 1967. The institutions of the EEC would take over responsibilities for the running of the ECSC and Euratom, with all three then becoming known as the European Communities even if each legally existed separately. In 1993, the Maastricht Treaty set the foundation of the European Union (EU), which absorbed the Communities into the European Community pillar, while Euratom still maintained a distinct legal personality.
The European Constitution was intended to consolidate all previous treaties and increase democratic accountability in them. The Euratom Treaty had not been amended as the other treaties had, so the European Parliament had been granted few powers over it. However, the reason it had gone unamended was the same reason the Constitution left it to remain separate from the rest of the EU: a strong anti-nuclear sentiment among the European electorate, which may unnecessarily turn voters against the treaty.[11][12][13] The Euratom treaty thus remains in force relatively unamended from its original signing.
EU evolution timeline
Template:EU evolution timeline
Cooperation
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- Since 2014, Switzerland has participated in Euratom programmes as an associated state.[2]
- Since January 2021, the United Kingdom participates in Euratom programmes as an associated state under the terms of the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.[5][14]
- As of 2024, Euratom maintains Co-operation Agreements of various scopes with ten countries: Armenia,[15] Australia,[16] Canada,[17] India,[18] Japan,[19] Kazakhstan,[20] South Africa,[21] Ukraine,[22] United States,[23] and Uzbekistan.[24]
Withdrawal of the United Kingdom
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The United Kingdom announced its intention to withdraw from the EAEC on 26 January 2017, following on from its decision to withdraw from the European Union.[14][25][26][27] Formal notice to withdraw from the EAEC was provided in March 2017, within the Article 50 notification letter, where the withdrawal was made explicit.[28] Withdrawal only became effective following negotiations on the terms of the exit, which lasted two years and ten months.
A report by the House of Commons' Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, published in May 2017, questioned the legal necessity of leaving Euratom, and called for a temporary extension of the United Kingdom's membership of Euratom in order to allow time for new arrangements to be made instead.[29] In June 2017, the European Commission's negotiations task force published a Position paper transmitted to EU27 on nuclear materials and safeguard equipment (Euratom), titled "Essential Principles on nuclear materials and safeguard equipment".[30] The following month, a briefing paper from the House of Commons Library assessed the implications of leaving Euratom.[31]
In July 2017, an article published by The Independent questioned the availability of nuclear power to the United Kingdom after 2019 if the country were to withdraw from the Euratom Treaty, and the need for new treaties relating to the transportation of nuclear materials.[32] During the same month, an article published by the New Scientist stated that radioisotope supply for cancer treatments would also need to be considered in new treaties.[33]
British politicians speculated that the United Kingdom could retain its membership in the EAEC. In 2017, some argued that this would require—beyond the consent of the EU27—amendment or revocation of the Article 50 letter of March 2017.[34] The Nuclear Safeguards Act 2018, making provision for safeguards after withdrawal from Euratom, received royal assent on 26 June 2018.[35]
The EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, outlining the United Kingdom's relationship with the European Union from 1 January 2021 onwards, makes provision for the country's participation "as an associated country of all parts of the Euratom programme".[5]
Achievements
In the history of European regulation, Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty represents a pioneering legislation concerning binding transfrontier obligations with respect to environmental impact and protection of human lives, especially regarding the dismantling of nuclear reactors.[36]
President
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| N. | Portrait | President (Born–Died)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
State | Took office | Left office | Commission | Party | Group | Electoral mandate | Refs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | File:Photo Louis Armand (cropped).jpg | Louis Armand (1905–1971) |
France | 7 January 1958 | 2 February 1959 | Armand | Independent | rowspan=2 style="background:Template:Party color;" | | None | – | |
| Template:Age in years and days | |||||||||||
| 2 | File:Étienne Hirsch - 1983 (cropped).png | Étienne Hirsch (1901–1994) |
France | 2 February 1959 | 10 January 1962 | Hirsch | Independent | rowspan=2 style="background:Template:Party color;" | | None | – | |
| Template:Age in years and days | |||||||||||
| 3 | File:Portrait ministre de l'Intérieur Chatenet - Archives nationales (France).png | Pierre Chatenet (1917–1997) |
France | 10 January 1962 | 5 July 1967 | Chatenet | Independent | rowspan=2 style="background:Template:Party color;" | | None | – | |
| Template:Age in years and days | |||||||||||
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See also
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- Energy Community (EC)
- Energy policy of the European Union
- Nuclear energy in the European Union
- The nuclear sector of the Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development, the European Union's chief instrument for funding research.
- Nuclear energy in the European Union
- EU Directorate General Joint Research Centre, often incorrectly mistaken for EURATOM due to the organization being its origin.
- History of the European Union
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC)
- Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-GE)
Notes
References
External links
- Template:Official website
- Template:CELEX (Template:CELEX
- Documents of the European Atomic Energy Community are consultable at the Historical Archives of the EU in Florence
- History of the Rome Treaties Online collection by the CVCE
- European Commission Fusion Research
- European Commission Fission Research
Template:European Union topics Template:Authority control
- ↑ a b c d e Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Act 2017 (c. 9) EXPLANATORY NOTES, p. 4: "The power that is provided by section 1(1) applies to withdrawal from the EU. This includes the European Atomic Energy Community (‘Euratom’), as the European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 sets out that the term “EU" includes (as the context permits or requires) Euratom (section 3(2))."
- ↑ Template:Cite report
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- ↑ A European Atomic Energy Community CVCE
- ↑ The signing of the Rome Treaties CVCE
- ↑ Drafting of the Rome Treaties CVCE
- ↑ 1957–1968 Successes and crises CVCE
- ↑ Euratom: nuking Europe's future Greenpeace International, 9 July 2003
- ↑ One hundred civil society groups say abolish Euratom! Template:Webarchive Friends of the Earth Europe, 3 March 2003
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Categories:
- Pages with script errors
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- 1958 establishments in Europe
- Energy policies and initiatives of the European Union
- European Atomic Energy Community
- European Union and science and technology
- Intergovernmental organizations established by treaty
- International nuclear energy organizations
- International organizations based in Europe
- Organizations established in 1958
- Radiation protection organizations
- Pages with reference errors