Abstract
M.A.
In the institutional framework which was created by the Treaty
of Rome for the European Community, no provision was made
for heads of government to play any role in the new supranational
dispensation. Governments would have to fulfil their
roles only in the Council of Ministers. Summit Meetings therefore
developed outside the Treaty of Rome and with passage of
time, gained greater power and influence. As a result there
are some who erroneously argue that Summitry has no proper
place in Community proceedings and is some sort of constitutional
aberration.
From the initial outset it was clear that the development of
the Summit Meetings in the European Community would for various
reasons be controversial. The Summit Meetings are, however,
now organised on a much firmer base with the result that
in this study they can be viewed with greater perspective and
insight. The purpose of this study is therefore to research
and draw conclusions on the following matters:
Detailed research was carried out on all Community Summit Meetings
held between 1960 and 1980 with the aim of establishing
the various agendas and the decisions reached. The development
of Summit Meetings can roughly be divided into three stages.
During each particular period specific matters enjoyed priority
and currently Summitry in the form of the European Council,
deliberates over a large and divergent spectrum of issues.
The three stages are:
An "extra institutional period", covering the years 1961 to
1967. Summit Meetings were viewed as outside the Community institutions
and not of any particular significance.