1986 enlargement of the European Communities
The 1986 enlargement of the European Communities was the third enlargement of what is now the European Union, then the European Communities (EC). Spain and Portugal acceded to the EC on 1 January 1986. It is considered a part of the Mediterranean enlargement.
Greece threatened to veto the enlargement on the basis that its economy would not be able to cope without receiving the unapproved agricultural subsidies for its poorest regions. On 29 May 1985, the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Giulio Andreotti, in negotiations with its Spanish counterpart, Fernando Morán López, and the Portuguese Finances Minister, Ernâni Lopes, announced Portugal and Spain would enter the "Europe of Twelve" on 1 January 1986. Greece dropped its opposition to the enlargement when the EEC promised an increase of funds for the Mediterranean Integration Programs (IPM).
- "Mercado Europeu passa a ter 320 milhões de consumidores". Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese). 1986-01-02. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
- "Gregos mantêm veto contra alargamento". Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese). 1985-03-28. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
- Miguel Santos Carrapatoso (2015-02-20). "1985: Quando a Grécia exigiu mais dinheiro para aceitar Portugal na CEE". Observador (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2019-10-16.
- "Portugal e Espanha garantidos na CEE". Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese). 1985-03-29. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
- "Preço do Veto Grego fixado esta tarde". Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese). 1985-03-30. Retrieved 2019-10-16.