Using the Dutch EC Presidency as a reference point, this volume looks at the way the Community may cope with the increasing pressure under which it has to operate. Topics discussed include the EC Presidency within a wider Europe, European foreign policy and the politics of EMU.

Part 1 The Dutch Presidency in a new European setting: challenges and priorities, P. Dankert; a mission as broker, guardian and ambassador for a historic opportunity, W. Wessels; vital tasks for the Dutch Presidency, J. Pinder. Part 2 An internal market of transport: the problems and prospects of a Common Transport Policy, V. Schmitt; European transport through Dutch glasses, J. Simons; towards a European network systems, G. Giannopoulos. Part 3 Economic and social cohesion in a community of regions: social Europe and economic cohesion, P. Maillet and S. Dormand; social security and "1992", H. Deleeck; a new role for the structural funds? - comment, A. Mitsos; the social deficit of the European Community - comment, P.L. Gomiz Diaz. Part 4 One market, one money?: economic and monetary union in the 1990s, N. Thygesen; the politics of a European currency, A. Szas; the structure of European Monetary Union - comment, G. Wood; stability, credibility and flexibility - comment, S. Eijffinger. Part 5 The European Community and the wider Europe: risks and opportunities in the East and South, P. Tsakaloyannis; the Dutch version of "Ostpolitik", J. Zielonka; the EC-EFTA convergence - comment, J. Steenbergen. Part 6 A European Union of foreign policy and defence?: European political co-operation put to the test, G. Edwards; the bridge-building functions of WEU, W. van Eekelen; the Netherlands and political union, J. Penders and M. Kwast. Part 7 Epilogue: between the Gulf War and a European Political Union, A. Pijpers.