The European Union as an evolving area of freedom, security and justice, with a common external policy, including a Maltese perspective

Abstract

This work traces the political evolution of the European Union, from the early days up to the present day. It adopts a historical approach, highlighting the most salient developments along the way relating to the much-heralded creation of an "Area of Freedom, Security and Justice". It also traces the concurrent formulation and evolution of the European Union's Common External Policy, making particular reference to the Euro-Mediterranean dimension and Malta's active participation and role in this ongoing process. Reference is made to the central notion of "freedom of movement", the emerging and growing problems of cross-border crime and international terrorism that had to be tackled, the Trevi Agreement, the Schengen Accord, the three pillar institutional structure put in place by the Maastricht Treaty, of which Co-operation in Justice and Home Affairs (CJHA) was the "Third Pillar".