L’integrazione della Spagna nella Comunità europea: il ruolo dell’ Italia

Abstract

The Integration of Spain in European Community: the Role of Italy

It is common knowledge that the Spanish process of integration in the European Community was long and filled with obstacles: until Franco’s death its membership was hampered because Spain lacked the necessary democratic requirements, whereas after the dictatorship its entering the community was slowed down due to economic and commercial competition. The role played by Italy in the process was anything but secondary — at least from the 1970s — but it has not been clarified yet. Among the Italians who mostly championed the cause were Lorenzo Natali (European Commissioner for Enlargement) and Giulio Andreotti (Foreign Minister at the time of negotiations).

Received: 07-01-2016

Admitted: 03-02-2016