However, at the present stage of the history of European in
tegration, which is characterized by a fairly rapid sequence of intergovernmental conferences, it will be difficult to show that, in the general
ly accepted view of what constitutes binding practice of the Union, the method of proceeding by means of the conclusion of treaties has been supplanted by original legislative powers belonging to the Union. This does not mean, however, that the last word has been said on this matter as regards the future constitutional development of t
...[+++]he Union.