Jacques Delors Biography

European leaders selected Delors to succeed Gaston Thorn as President of the European Commission.

Jacques Delors began his presidency of the European Commission, launching a decade of major initiatives for deeper European integration.

The 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

Delors made completion of the internal market a defining priority of his new Commission.

The first Delors Commission took office with completion of the internal market among its central objectives.

Delors welcomed the accession treaties for Spain and Portugal as a major expansion of democratic Europe.

The Commission presented its White Paper setting out measures needed to complete the internal market by 1992.

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

The Delors Commission accelerated completion of the single market and strengthened plans for economic and monetary union.

The Delors Commission gave a new momentum to the process of European integration. They 'completed' the internal market and laid the foundations for the single European currency. European Economic and Monetary Union was based on the three stage plan drawn up by a committee headed by Delors (the Delors Report)

The Delors Commission gave a new momentum to the process of European integration. They 'completed' the internal market and laid the foundations for the single European currency. European Economic and Monetary Union was based on the three stage plan drawn up by a committee headed by Delors (the Delors Report)

Under Delors, the European Communities adopted the European flag for institutional use in 1986.

Commission President Jacques Delors presided over the adoption of the European flag by the Communities

The first major revision of the treaties since the Merger Treaty, leaders signed the Single European Act in February 1986. The text dealt with institutional reform, including extension of community powers 'g in particular in regarding foreign policy. It was a major component in completing the single market

The Single European Act expanded Community powers and provided the legal framework for completing the internal market.

The first major revision of the treaties since the Merger Treaty, leaders signed the Single European Act in February 1986. The text dealt with institutional reform, including extension of community powers 'g in particular in regarding foreign policy. It was a major component in completing the single market

Delors pressed governments to implement the legislative programme required for a border-free internal market.

Delors welcomed Spain and Portugal as Community members, expanding the European Communities to twelve states.

The Erasmus programme began during the Delors Commission, supporting student mobility across participating European countries.

The Single European Act entered into force, strengthening Community powers and the legal basis for the internal market.

Delors addressed the British Trades Union Congress and argued for a European social dimension alongside market integration.

Delors addressed the British Trade Union Congress. His speech about a social Europe was pivotal in turning British Labour pro-European and the British Conservatives against it

Delors secured a multi-year budget and reform package that gave the Community greater financial stability.

European leaders asked Delors to chair a committee examining practical steps toward economic and monetary union.

The Delors Report proposed a three-stage process for achieving European Economic and Monetary Union.

Publication of the Delors Report into further EU monetary & economic union

Publication of the Delors Report into further EU monetary & economic union

The Delors Committee recommended a three-stage route to Economic and Monetary Union.

The first stage of Economic and Monetary Union began under the programme developed by the Delors Committee.

The former East Germany entered the European Community framework through German reunification during Delors's Commission presidency.

Delors promoted the staged programme for economic and monetary union agreed by European leaders.

Promotes the staged programme leading toward economic and monetary union.

Delors supported the Maastricht settlement on deeper political and economic integration.

Supports agreement on deeper political and economic integration.

Delors supported agreement on treaty provisions establishing the route toward a single European currency.

The Delors Commission supported stronger regional cohesion and the treaty framework that led to creation of the Committee of the Regions.

The Delors Commission completed most legislation required for the single market to begin in 1993.

The European single market began with free movement goals covering goods, services, people and capital.

The Delors Commission proposed a European strategy linking competitiveness, employment and economic modernisation.

The European Economic Area extended much of the single market to participating EFTA countries.

Forced to resign following accusations of corruption

Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the European Union as the Delors Commission approached the end of its mandate.

Delors addressed the European Parliament near the end of his ten-year Commission presidency.