Treaty of Amsterdam

Chirac participated in launching negotiations that produced the Amsterdam Treaty.

Participates as the intergovernmental conference opens negotiations that later produce the Treaty of Amsterdam.

Represents Greece as the intergovernmental conference opens negotiations that later produce the Amsterdam Treaty.

Supports the Presidency draft that becomes an important basis for the Treaty of Amsterdam.

Represents Germany as European leaders begin the Amsterdam summit that reaches political agreement on treaty reform.

Represents Greece as leaders reach political agreement on the Amsterdam Treaty.

Represents Ireland as leaders reach political agreement on the Amsterdam Treaty.

Represents Italy as leaders reach political agreement on the Amsterdam Treaty.

Chirac joined European leaders in reaching political agreement on the Amsterdam Treaty.

Supports European Council agreement on the Stability and Growth Pact and the new exchange-rate mechanism.

Jospin represented France's government as the Amsterdam Treaty was signed to reform the European Union.

In France, Chevenement works to preserve practical border, police and justice cooperation during the transition into EU law. Paris also emphasises effective controls at the Schengen area's external frontier.

During the Schengen process, Jospin endorses Amsterdam's Schengen Protocol, which brings the acquis inside the European Union treaty system. The French approach stresses both free movement and compensating security measures.

Vedrine accepts moving Schengen rules from intergovernmental cooperation into the Union's legal order. French policy couples freer movement with stronger police coordination.

Kinkel signs Germany's instrument at Amsterdam, accepting reforms to Union institutions, employment policy and justice cooperation.

Pangalos signs Amsterdam's reform treaty, committing Greece to changes in institutions, employment policy and justice cooperation.

Dini signs Italy's instrument at Amsterdam, accepting reforms to Union institutions, employment policy and justice cooperation.

Welcomes voter approval of the Amsterdam Treaty in Ireland's constitutional referendum.

Jospin helps lead France when the Amsterdam Treaty takes effect and the Schengen acquis becomes part of EU law. France supports mobility alongside common visa and security arrangements.

Amsterdam's institutional reforms become legally effective while Simitis leads the Greek government.

Amsterdam's institutional reforms become legally effective while Ahern leads the Irish government.

Chevenement supports the post-Amsterdam legal settlement assigning treaty bases to individual Schengen measures. The French approach stresses both free movement and compensating security measures.

The stated aim of the treaty was to "complete the process started by the Treaty of Amsterdam [1997] and by the Treaty of Nice [2001] with a view to enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the Union and to improving the coherence of it's action"