The Iberian Peninsula and the challenges of European integration

The chapter investigates the relationship between the Iberian peninsula and the EEC during the Eighties and the Nineties. It underlines the difference between the relation of the Spain and the EEC from those of Portugal and the EEC during the negotiation phase for their european membership, and it follows its further evolution up to the Maastricht Treaty's time. It also underlines to what extent the poor intra-iberian relationship affected the two country's role in Europe, it concludes that the lack of a strong Iberian peninsula identity weakened the position of both candidates during their integration process. The article is based on a deep archival research both in Portugal and Spain