Wakening the serpent: reflections on the possible modification of the Euratom Treaty

Directives acquired in the framework of the Kyoto Protocol and the fact that the nuclear energy production does not generate carbon dioxide, might point to a recovery by the nuclear energy industry, which would be possible only within a more or less lengthy process of social confrontation in the Member States. While new scenarios for the European energy supply are being configured, the nuclear energy option remains open in many countries. Meanwhile, the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) remains in force without having undergone any substantial change, as it was drawn up, many of its provisions being in a sense latent or awaiting an eventual decision regarding the use. This paper describes certain attempts made to reform the Euratom Treaty and the reasons for which they failed.