Francois Mitterrand Biography

Mitterrand represented France at a European Council soon after becoming President and reaffirmed France's role in Community affairs.

Mitterrand kept France inside the European Monetary System despite domestic economic pressures.

The Socialist government nationalizes major banks and industrial groups

Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl marked the Elysee Treaty's twentieth anniversary while strengthening cooperation on European integration.

Mitterrand backed the Stuttgart declaration calling for stronger political cooperation and progress toward European Union.

Mitterrand addressed the European Parliament and urged renewed political momentum for European integration.

Mitterrand chaired the Fontainebleau European Council, which settled major budget disputes and relaunched institutional reform.

The Fontainebleau summit backed measures intended to make the European Community more visible and meaningful to its citizens.

Mitterrand represents France as the Communities conclude accession terms with Spain and Portugal.

Mitterrand supported France's participation in the Schengen Agreement to reduce controls at participating states' internal borders.

Mitterrand supported launching treaty negotiations intended to deepen Community integration and complete the internal market.

Mitterrand supported the Single European Act as the treaty basis for completing the internal market.

Mitterrand backed the decision to study a staged path toward European Economic and Monetary Union.

Mitterrand supported starting the first stage of Economic and Monetary Union in July 1990.

Mitterrand hosted European leaders as they agreed to convene negotiations on Economic and Monetary Union.

Mitterrand supported parallel negotiations on political union alongside plans for economic and monetary union.

French forces later participate in the coalition ground campaign.

Mitterrand joined European leaders opening formal negotiations on political union and Economic and Monetary Union.

Mitterrand authorises French forces to participate in operations against Iraq.

Carries France's negotiating position into the Luxembourg summit on political and monetary integration.

Mitterrand promoted political union alongside plans for a common European currency.

Promotes political union alongside the planned common European currency.

Mitterrand worked with Helmut Kohl to secure agreement at the Maastricht European Council.

Works with Helmut Kohl to secure agreement on the treaty.

Leads France's participation as the final European Council negotiations begin at Maastricht.

Mitterrand helped secure agreement on a treaty combining political union with economic and monetary integration.

French voters narrowly approved the Maastricht Treaty in a referendum backed by Mitterrand.

Serves as president when France notifies the Italian depositary that its Maastricht ratification is complete.

Carries France's position into Edinburgh while leaders work to preserve the Maastricht settlement.

Mitterrand saw the Maastricht settlement enter into force, formally creating the European Union.

Serves as president when the Maastricht Treaty enters into force and formally establishes the European Union.

Operation Turquoise becomes controversial over France's earlier Rwanda policy.

Supports deployment of French forces under a UN mandate.

Mitterrand supported the accession agreements preparing Austria, Finland and Sweden to join the European Union.

Mitterrand delivered a final major European Parliament speech warning against nationalism and defending European reconciliation.

France joined six other states in implementing passport-free travel under the Schengen arrangements.

Death of Francois Mitterrand