The AFSJ Two Decades After Tampere: Institutional Balance, Relation to Citizens and Solidarity

• Author: Jörg Monar
• Profession: Rector of the College of Europe (Bruges/Natolin, Warsaw campuses)
• Pages: 27-38

27

3. THE AFSJ TWO DECADES

AFTER TAMPERE:

INSTITUTIONAL BALANCE,

RELATION TO CITIZENS AND

SOLIDARITY

Jörg Monar

1. Introduction

While the October 1999 Tampere European Council meeting can

be regarded as one of the most important European Council meet-

ings ever in terms of its impact on the subsequent evolution of

the EU’s Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ) the major

impetus it has given would not have been possible – and had as

its essential basis – another breakthrough for what previously had

been called Justice and Home Aairs (JHA) just a few months

before: e entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam on 1 May

1999 with its major JHA reforms under Title IV TEC and Title VI

TEU.

In spite of the limitations of the 1999 reforms in terms of deci-

sion-making procedures and ‘pillarisation’ no subsequent over-

haul of the AFSJ, that of the 2009 Treaty of Lisbon included, has

come close to the constitutional innovation and opening up of

Table of Contents