European Union chronology, since 1951

Six countries (Belgium,Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) sign the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).

March, 25^th : Treaty of Rome

The six countries sign the treaties establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the Euratom, European Atomic Energy Community.

The Stockholm Convention creates the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), with European countries in and out of EEC.

1965

A treaty is signed merging the three Communities (ECSC, EEC and Euratom) and creating a single Council and a single Commission.

1973

Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Communities (Norwegian people reject in a referendum).

1981

Greece joins the European Communities, bringing the number of members to 10.

1985

The Schengen Agreement is signed with the aim of abolishing checks at the borders between member countries of the European Communities. (carte 2008)

1986

Spain and Portugal join the European Communities

The Single European Act is signed in Luxembourg and The Hague : the first major revision of the Treaty of Rome that formally established the single European market and the European Political Cooperation.Leaders from business and politicals wanted to harmonize laws between countries and resolve policy disagreements.

1992

February, 7^th : Treaty of Maastricht:

The European council institute a Common Foreign and Security Policy , reinforce the Police and Judicial Cooperation in criminal matters, create an Economic and Monetary Union, with the euro.

1995

Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU, bringing its membership to 15.

1997

The Amsterdam Treaty is signed : reprising Schengen Agreements and reinforce the European Parliament powers.

2001

February, 26^th Signing of the Treaty of Nice: the European council adopt a new treaty reformed the institutional structure of the European Union to withstand eastward expansion . European Parliament, Council, and Commission president proclaim Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

European Constitution plans.

2004

Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia join the European Union. (25 members)

2005

Voters in France reject the Constitution in a referendum, then followed by voters in the Netherlands.

2007

Bulgaria and Romania join the European Union. (27 members)

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