Wednesday, November 5, 2008
BRIEF HISTORY OF EU INTEGRATION
Brief History of European Integration
19 September 1946 Speaking in Zurich, Winston Churchill calls for a United States of Europe.
9 May 1950 French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposes creation of European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
18 April 1951 Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands ('the Six') sign Treaty establishing European Coal and Steel Community (Treaty of Paris).
10 August 1952 The High Authority, ECSC executive institution, starts work under Presidency of Jean Monnet.
10 February 1953 Common market established for coal, iron ore and scrap.
1 May 1953 Common market established for steel.
1-2 June 1955 Foreign Ministers of the Six, meeting in Messina, agree to move ahead with integration. Intergovernmental committee set up, chaired by Paul-Henri Spaak.
25 March 1957 In Rome the Six sign Treaties setting up European Economic Community (EEC) and Euratom (Treaty of Rome).
1 January 1958 Treaty of Rome comes into effect. Walter Hallstein is first President of the EEC Commission, Louis Armand first President of Euratom Commission.
14 January 1962 Council adopts first four regulations for a common market in agriculture, first financial regulation and regulation governing competition.
22 January 1963 France and Federal Republic of Germany sign Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Paris (Elysée Treaty).
20 July 1963 Association Convention between EEC and 17 African States and Madagascar signed in Yaounde (Yaounde Convention).
8 April 1965 Treaty signed merging Executives of the three European Communities (ECSC, EEC, Euratom).
1 July 1967 Merger Treaty of 8 April 1965 enters into force. Jean Rey is first Commission President for all three Communities (ECSC, EEC, Euratom).
1 July 1968 Customs union completed and common external tariff established.
29 July 1968 Freedom of movement guaranteed for workers within the Community in order to establish common labour market.
18 December 1968 Commission presents 'Mansholt Plan' for reform of agriculture in the Community to Council.
29 July 1969 Second Yaounde Convention signed. It comes into force on 1 January 1971.
1-2 December 1969 Heads of State or Government meet in The Hague to discuss completion of single market, greater integration and enlargement of the EC. They agree to phase in economic and monetary union (EMU) by 1980, to speed up integration and cooperation on political matters. They also agree to open negotiations with Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom.
19-22 December 1969 Council agrees a financial arrangement for agriculture, to allocate EC its own resources and to strengthen European Parliament's budgetary powers.
1 January 1970 Responsibility for external trade policy passes from Member States to EC.
21 April 1970 Council decides that from 1975 EC will receive its own resources.
8 October 1970 Werner Plan on phased attainment of economic and monetary union, named after Luxembourg's Prime Minister, is presented to the Council and Commission.
1 July 1971 Community agrees 'system of generalized preferences' in trade with 91 developing countries.
24 April 1972 Currency 'snake' set-up: The Six agree to limit the margin of fluctuation between their currencies to 2.25%.
1 January 1973 EC formally enlarged to nine members. EC granted sole responsibility for common trade policy.
11 and 12 March 1973 Ireland, Italy and United Kingdom leave currency 'snake'. Finance Ministers decide joint float against dollar with fixed exchange rates.
21 January 1974 Employment and Social Affairs Ministers adopt the Community social action programme whereby EC becomes active in three areas: employment issues; harmonization of living and working conditions; and, participation by both sides of industry in EC social and economic policy decisions.
9-10 December 1974 In Paris Heads of State or Government agree to meet regularly as European Council.
28 February 1975 EC and 46 ACP States sign first Lomé Convention granting financial and technical assistance and trade concessions.
10-11 March 1975 In Dublin Heads of State or Government meet for first time as European Council.
18 March 1975 Council of Ministers agrees to set up European Regional Development Fund.
16 September 1975 Official relations established between EC and China.
1 July 1977 Customs duties between nine EC members completely removed.
6-7 July 1978 Bremen European Council approves plan to set up European Monetary System (EMS) and European monetary unit (Ecu).
13 March 1979 EMS takes effect retrospectively from 1 January 1979.
7-10 June 1979 First elections to European Parliament by direct universal suffrage held in the nine Member States.
17-20 July 1979 First session of directly elected Parliament in Strasbourg. Simone Veil elected first President of Parliament.
31 October 1979 Second Lomé Convention signed by EC and 58 ACP States in Lomé
7-8 March 1980 Community signs cooperation agreement with ASEAN States.
1 January 1981 Greece becomes 10th Member State.
23 February 1982 In a referendum Greenland votes to leave EC.
25 January 1983 After six years' negotiation Member States agree common fisheries policy.
26 September 1984 Commercial and economic cooperation agreement initialled by China and EC.
8 December 1984 Third Lomé Convention signed by EC and 65 ACP States.
14 June 1985 Commission presents White Paper on completion of single market.
1 January 1986 Spain and Portugal join Community, bringing membership to 12.
17 and 28 February 1986 Single European Act signed by Governments of the 12 Member States.
1 July 1987 Single European Act enters into force.
11- 12 February 1988 Brussels European Council agrees to 'Delors I package' reforming financial system and common agricultural policy and doubling EC Structural Funds.
29 March 1988 Commission presents Cecchini report ('The Cost of non-Europe') quantifying the advantages of a single market.
26-27 June 1989 Madrid European Council agrees to convene Intergovernmental Conference in line with 'Delors Plan', drawn up by governors of central banks under Commission President Delors, providing for creation of EMU in three stages.
29 June 1989 Spain joins EMS.
15 December 1989 Fourth Lomé Convention signed by EC and 68 ACP States
19 December 1989 Start of negotiations between EC and EFTA countries on strengthening cooperation and forming European Economic Area (EEA).
19 June 1990 Second Schengen Agreement signed in Luxembourg
25-26 June 1990 Dublin European Council agrees to convene an Intergovernmental Conference on EMU and another on political union.
1 July 1990 Stage I of EMU begins.
3 October 1990 Treaty between Federal Republic of Germany and German Democratic Republic enters into force unifying Germany. The five new Länder are part of EC.
8 October 1990 United Kingdom becomes 10th member of EMS.
29 March 1991 Members of Schengen Agreement and Poland agree abolition of visa requirement, which takes effect on 8 April 1991.
24 June 1991 Finance Ministers achieve breakthrough on harmonizing VAT and excise duties on alcohol, tobacco and mineral oil. From 1993 standard rate of VAT should be no less than 15%.
25 June 1991 Spain and Portugal join Schengen Agreement.
9-10 December 1991 European Council Summit in Maastricht. Heads of State or Government reach agreement on draft Treaty on European Union.
7 February 1992 Maastricht Treaty on European Union signed.
5 April 1992 Portuguese escudo joins EMS.
2 May 1992 In Porto EC and EFTA Foreign Ministers sign agreement establishing European economic area (EEA).
2 June 1992 In a referendum 50.7% of Danes vote against ratification of Union Treaty.
20 September 1992 In a referendum 51.05% of French vote in favour of ratification of Union Treaty.
11-12 December 1992 Edinburgh European Council accepts Danish wish to opt out of a single currency and common defence policy in the European Union. It endorses Delors II package on financial arrangements for EC until 1999 and growth initiative.
1 January 1993 Single market largely completed.
17 March 1993 Additional protocol enables EC and EFTA to permit EEA Treaty to enter into force following withdrawal of Switzerland.
18 May 1993 Following acceptance of Denmark's opt-outs, 56.8% of Danes vote in favour of Union Treaty in second referendum.
2 August 1993 Following upheavals within EMS, Economics and Finance Ministers temporarily widen ERM currency bands from 2.25 to 15%.
29 October 1993 At special summit in Brussels European Union Heads of State or Government agree location of new EU institutions. European Monetary Institute to be in Frankfurt, Europol in the Netherlands and European Environment Agency in Denmark.
1 November 1993 Treaty on European Union enters into force.
10-11 December 1993 Economic situation in European Union is main topic of Brussels European Council meeting. Commission President Delors presents White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment.
1 January 1994 Stage II of economic and monetary union begins.
9 and 10 December 1994 Essen European Council agrees strategy to bring Central and East European States closer to EU and approves Commission's new Mediterranean strategy.
1 January 1995 Austria, Finland and Sweden join EU.
9 January 1995 Austria joins EMS.
26 March 1995 Schengen Agreement enters into force. No more passport controls between Benelux countries, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain.
26 and 27 June 1995 Cannes European Council gives mandate to reflection group to prepare 1996 Intergovernmental Conference on revision of Treaty on European Union.
17 September 1995 Sweden holds European Parliament elections for first time.
27 and 28 November 1995 At Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Barcelona EU agrees long-term partnership with North African and Middle East States. One aim is Europe-Mediterranean free-trade area by 2010.
2 December 1995 New transatlantic agenda signed in Madrid. European Union and USA declare willingness to develop trade and work together closely to resolve international problems.
15-16 December 1995 Madrid European Council decides on euro as name for future European currency. Timetable for introduction of EMU to remain unaltered. From 2002 Euro is to be sole legal tender for EMU Members. Free-trade agreement signed with Mercosur States.
1-2 March 1996 First Asia-Europe Summit takes place in Bangkok, Thailand
29 March 1996 Intergovernmental Conference on revision of Maastricht Treaty formally opens in Turin. Within 12 months proposals are to be developed on justice and home affairs, closeness to people, openness, improving institutional effectiveness and foreign policy decision-making structures.
21-22 June 1996 Florence European Council adopts Europol Convention.
13 October 1996 Austria holds European Parliament elections for first time.
14 October 1996 Finland joins EMS.
20 October 1996 Finland holds European Parliament elections for first time.
24 November 1996 Italy rejoins the EMS exchange rate mechanism.
13-14 December 1996 The European Council in Dublin agrees a stability and growth pact for the economic and monetary union and the future euro notes are presented to the public. The European leaders commit themselves to fighting international crime.
16 and 17 June 1997 Intergovernmental Conference at the summit level in Amsterdam agrees on the New Treaty on the European Union (Amsterdam Treaty).
2 October 1997 Amsterdam Treaty signed.
12 March 1998 European Conference of the EU Member States and the 11 applicant countries takes place in London under UK Presidency.
31 March 1998 Opening of accession negotiations with Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, Czech Republic and Slovenia.
1-2 May 1998 Council of the European Union in the composition of the Heads and State or Government decides that 11 Member States will join stage III of the Economic and Monetary Union to be launched on 1 January 1999.
1 June 1998 European Central Bank begins its business in Frankfurt.
1 January 1999 Stage III of the Economic and Monetary Union begins and the euro becomes the currency of the participating EU Member States.
1 May 1999 Amsterdam Treaty enters into force.
13 September 1999 Mr. Javier Solana Madariaga is appointed High Representative for the CFSP and Secretary-General of the Council.
15 September 1999 The European Commission headed by Romano Prodi is approved by the European Parliament and takes office.
10-11 December 1999 The European Council held in Helsinki decides to open accession negotiations with Romania, the Slovak Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Malta. It also recognises Turkey as a candidate country.
15 February 2000 Opening of accession negotiations with Romania, the Slovak Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Malta.
23-24 March 2000 A special European Council is held in Lisbon to decide on a new Union strategy to strengthen employment, economic reform and social cohesion as part of a knowledge-based economy.
3-4 April 2000 First Africa-Europe Summit takes place in Cairo, Egypt.
23 June 2000 The Community and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) sign, in Cotonou, Benin, a Convention to replace the Lomé ones.
7-9 December 2000 The Intergovernmental Conference concluded at the European Council in Nice agrees on the new Treaty on the European Union (Nice Treaty).
1 January 2001 Greece becomes the twelfth Member State to adopt the euro.
15 December 2001 The European Council convenes a convention on the future of the European Union to pave the way for the next Intergovernmental Conference.
1 January 2002 The euro notes and coins enter into circulation in the twelve participating Member States.
1 March 2002 The dual circulation period ends and the euro becomes the sole legal tender in the twelve participating Member States.
1 February 2003 Nice Treaty enters into force.
1 May 2004 The Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia join the European Union.
18 June 2004 European Union leaders reach agreement on the Constitutional Treaty.
29 October 2004 European Union leaders sign Constitutional Treaty in Rome.
25 April 2005 Accession treaties signed with Bulgaria and Romania.
16-17 June 2005 At a European Council in Brussels, leaders opt to invoke a period of reflection and discussion on the Constitutional Treaty.
3 Oct 2005 European Union accession negotiations open with Croatia and Turkey.
10 March 2006 The EU and Russia sign a joint document to enhance bilateral cooperation in space activities.
7 April 2006 The ".eu" top-level domain opens for all residents within the European Union – citizens, associations, clubs, etc. – providing new Internet space and promoting an EU internet identity.
11 July 2006 The Council of the European Union adopts a decision allowing Slovenia to join the euro area on 1 January, 2007.
26 September 2006 European Commission confirms Bulgaria and Romania’s EU accession on 1 January, 2007
1 January 2007 Slovenia becomes the 13th country to adopt the euro while Bulgaria and Romania join the EU, increasing the number of Member States to 27.
25 March 2007 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome
5 June 2007 16th EU-Japan Summit, Berlin
13 December 2007 Treaty of Lisbon signed.
21 December 2007 Estonia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined the Schengen area.
1 January 2008 Cyrpus and Malta introduce the euro, swelling the size of the eurozone to 15 Member States.
19 September 1946 Speaking in Zurich, Winston Churchill calls for a United States of Europe.
9 May 1950 French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposes creation of European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
18 April 1951 Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands ('the Six') sign Treaty establishing European Coal and Steel Community (Treaty of Paris).
10 August 1952 The High Authority, ECSC executive institution, starts work under Presidency of Jean Monnet.
10 February 1953 Common market established for coal, iron ore and scrap.
1 May 1953 Common market established for steel.
1-2 June 1955 Foreign Ministers of the Six, meeting in Messina, agree to move ahead with integration. Intergovernmental committee set up, chaired by Paul-Henri Spaak.
25 March 1957 In Rome the Six sign Treaties setting up European Economic Community (EEC) and Euratom (Treaty of Rome).
1 January 1958 Treaty of Rome comes into effect. Walter Hallstein is first President of the EEC Commission, Louis Armand first President of Euratom Commission.
14 January 1962 Council adopts first four regulations for a common market in agriculture, first financial regulation and regulation governing competition.
22 January 1963 France and Federal Republic of Germany sign Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Paris (Elysée Treaty).
20 July 1963 Association Convention between EEC and 17 African States and Madagascar signed in Yaounde (Yaounde Convention).
8 April 1965 Treaty signed merging Executives of the three European Communities (ECSC, EEC, Euratom).
1 July 1967 Merger Treaty of 8 April 1965 enters into force. Jean Rey is first Commission President for all three Communities (ECSC, EEC, Euratom).
1 July 1968 Customs union completed and common external tariff established.
29 July 1968 Freedom of movement guaranteed for workers within the Community in order to establish common labour market.
18 December 1968 Commission presents 'Mansholt Plan' for reform of agriculture in the Community to Council.
29 July 1969 Second Yaounde Convention signed. It comes into force on 1 January 1971.
1-2 December 1969 Heads of State or Government meet in The Hague to discuss completion of single market, greater integration and enlargement of the EC. They agree to phase in economic and monetary union (EMU) by 1980, to speed up integration and cooperation on political matters. They also agree to open negotiations with Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom.
19-22 December 1969 Council agrees a financial arrangement for agriculture, to allocate EC its own resources and to strengthen European Parliament's budgetary powers.
1 January 1970 Responsibility for external trade policy passes from Member States to EC.
21 April 1970 Council decides that from 1975 EC will receive its own resources.
8 October 1970 Werner Plan on phased attainment of economic and monetary union, named after Luxembourg's Prime Minister, is presented to the Council and Commission.
1 July 1971 Community agrees 'system of generalized preferences' in trade with 91 developing countries.
24 April 1972 Currency 'snake' set-up: The Six agree to limit the margin of fluctuation between their currencies to 2.25%.
1 January 1973 EC formally enlarged to nine members. EC granted sole responsibility for common trade policy.
11 and 12 March 1973 Ireland, Italy and United Kingdom leave currency 'snake'. Finance Ministers decide joint float against dollar with fixed exchange rates.
21 January 1974 Employment and Social Affairs Ministers adopt the Community social action programme whereby EC becomes active in three areas: employment issues; harmonization of living and working conditions; and, participation by both sides of industry in EC social and economic policy decisions.
9-10 December 1974 In Paris Heads of State or Government agree to meet regularly as European Council.
28 February 1975 EC and 46 ACP States sign first Lomé Convention granting financial and technical assistance and trade concessions.
10-11 March 1975 In Dublin Heads of State or Government meet for first time as European Council.
18 March 1975 Council of Ministers agrees to set up European Regional Development Fund.
16 September 1975 Official relations established between EC and China.
1 July 1977 Customs duties between nine EC members completely removed.
6-7 July 1978 Bremen European Council approves plan to set up European Monetary System (EMS) and European monetary unit (Ecu).
13 March 1979 EMS takes effect retrospectively from 1 January 1979.
7-10 June 1979 First elections to European Parliament by direct universal suffrage held in the nine Member States.
17-20 July 1979 First session of directly elected Parliament in Strasbourg. Simone Veil elected first President of Parliament.
31 October 1979 Second Lomé Convention signed by EC and 58 ACP States in Lomé
7-8 March 1980 Community signs cooperation agreement with ASEAN States.
1 January 1981 Greece becomes 10th Member State.
23 February 1982 In a referendum Greenland votes to leave EC.
25 January 1983 After six years' negotiation Member States agree common fisheries policy.
26 September 1984 Commercial and economic cooperation agreement initialled by China and EC.
8 December 1984 Third Lomé Convention signed by EC and 65 ACP States.
14 June 1985 Commission presents White Paper on completion of single market.
1 January 1986 Spain and Portugal join Community, bringing membership to 12.
17 and 28 February 1986 Single European Act signed by Governments of the 12 Member States.
1 July 1987 Single European Act enters into force.
11- 12 February 1988 Brussels European Council agrees to 'Delors I package' reforming financial system and common agricultural policy and doubling EC Structural Funds.
29 March 1988 Commission presents Cecchini report ('The Cost of non-Europe') quantifying the advantages of a single market.
26-27 June 1989 Madrid European Council agrees to convene Intergovernmental Conference in line with 'Delors Plan', drawn up by governors of central banks under Commission President Delors, providing for creation of EMU in three stages.
29 June 1989 Spain joins EMS.
15 December 1989 Fourth Lomé Convention signed by EC and 68 ACP States
19 December 1989 Start of negotiations between EC and EFTA countries on strengthening cooperation and forming European Economic Area (EEA).
19 June 1990 Second Schengen Agreement signed in Luxembourg
25-26 June 1990 Dublin European Council agrees to convene an Intergovernmental Conference on EMU and another on political union.
1 July 1990 Stage I of EMU begins.
3 October 1990 Treaty between Federal Republic of Germany and German Democratic Republic enters into force unifying Germany. The five new Länder are part of EC.
8 October 1990 United Kingdom becomes 10th member of EMS.
29 March 1991 Members of Schengen Agreement and Poland agree abolition of visa requirement, which takes effect on 8 April 1991.
24 June 1991 Finance Ministers achieve breakthrough on harmonizing VAT and excise duties on alcohol, tobacco and mineral oil. From 1993 standard rate of VAT should be no less than 15%.
25 June 1991 Spain and Portugal join Schengen Agreement.
9-10 December 1991 European Council Summit in Maastricht. Heads of State or Government reach agreement on draft Treaty on European Union.
7 February 1992 Maastricht Treaty on European Union signed.
5 April 1992 Portuguese escudo joins EMS.
2 May 1992 In Porto EC and EFTA Foreign Ministers sign agreement establishing European economic area (EEA).
2 June 1992 In a referendum 50.7% of Danes vote against ratification of Union Treaty.
20 September 1992 In a referendum 51.05% of French vote in favour of ratification of Union Treaty.
11-12 December 1992 Edinburgh European Council accepts Danish wish to opt out of a single currency and common defence policy in the European Union. It endorses Delors II package on financial arrangements for EC until 1999 and growth initiative.
1 January 1993 Single market largely completed.
17 March 1993 Additional protocol enables EC and EFTA to permit EEA Treaty to enter into force following withdrawal of Switzerland.
18 May 1993 Following acceptance of Denmark's opt-outs, 56.8% of Danes vote in favour of Union Treaty in second referendum.
2 August 1993 Following upheavals within EMS, Economics and Finance Ministers temporarily widen ERM currency bands from 2.25 to 15%.
29 October 1993 At special summit in Brussels European Union Heads of State or Government agree location of new EU institutions. European Monetary Institute to be in Frankfurt, Europol in the Netherlands and European Environment Agency in Denmark.
1 November 1993 Treaty on European Union enters into force.
10-11 December 1993 Economic situation in European Union is main topic of Brussels European Council meeting. Commission President Delors presents White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment.
1 January 1994 Stage II of economic and monetary union begins.
9 and 10 December 1994 Essen European Council agrees strategy to bring Central and East European States closer to EU and approves Commission's new Mediterranean strategy.
1 January 1995 Austria, Finland and Sweden join EU.
9 January 1995 Austria joins EMS.
26 March 1995 Schengen Agreement enters into force. No more passport controls between Benelux countries, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain.
26 and 27 June 1995 Cannes European Council gives mandate to reflection group to prepare 1996 Intergovernmental Conference on revision of Treaty on European Union.
17 September 1995 Sweden holds European Parliament elections for first time.
27 and 28 November 1995 At Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Barcelona EU agrees long-term partnership with North African and Middle East States. One aim is Europe-Mediterranean free-trade area by 2010.
2 December 1995 New transatlantic agenda signed in Madrid. European Union and USA declare willingness to develop trade and work together closely to resolve international problems.
15-16 December 1995 Madrid European Council decides on euro as name for future European currency. Timetable for introduction of EMU to remain unaltered. From 2002 Euro is to be sole legal tender for EMU Members. Free-trade agreement signed with Mercosur States.
1-2 March 1996 First Asia-Europe Summit takes place in Bangkok, Thailand
29 March 1996 Intergovernmental Conference on revision of Maastricht Treaty formally opens in Turin. Within 12 months proposals are to be developed on justice and home affairs, closeness to people, openness, improving institutional effectiveness and foreign policy decision-making structures.
21-22 June 1996 Florence European Council adopts Europol Convention.
13 October 1996 Austria holds European Parliament elections for first time.
14 October 1996 Finland joins EMS.
20 October 1996 Finland holds European Parliament elections for first time.
24 November 1996 Italy rejoins the EMS exchange rate mechanism.
13-14 December 1996 The European Council in Dublin agrees a stability and growth pact for the economic and monetary union and the future euro notes are presented to the public. The European leaders commit themselves to fighting international crime.
16 and 17 June 1997 Intergovernmental Conference at the summit level in Amsterdam agrees on the New Treaty on the European Union (Amsterdam Treaty).
2 October 1997 Amsterdam Treaty signed.
12 March 1998 European Conference of the EU Member States and the 11 applicant countries takes place in London under UK Presidency.
31 March 1998 Opening of accession negotiations with Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, Czech Republic and Slovenia.
1-2 May 1998 Council of the European Union in the composition of the Heads and State or Government decides that 11 Member States will join stage III of the Economic and Monetary Union to be launched on 1 January 1999.
1 June 1998 European Central Bank begins its business in Frankfurt.
1 January 1999 Stage III of the Economic and Monetary Union begins and the euro becomes the currency of the participating EU Member States.
1 May 1999 Amsterdam Treaty enters into force.
13 September 1999 Mr. Javier Solana Madariaga is appointed High Representative for the CFSP and Secretary-General of the Council.
15 September 1999 The European Commission headed by Romano Prodi is approved by the European Parliament and takes office.
10-11 December 1999 The European Council held in Helsinki decides to open accession negotiations with Romania, the Slovak Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Malta. It also recognises Turkey as a candidate country.
15 February 2000 Opening of accession negotiations with Romania, the Slovak Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Malta.
23-24 March 2000 A special European Council is held in Lisbon to decide on a new Union strategy to strengthen employment, economic reform and social cohesion as part of a knowledge-based economy.
3-4 April 2000 First Africa-Europe Summit takes place in Cairo, Egypt.
23 June 2000 The Community and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) sign, in Cotonou, Benin, a Convention to replace the Lomé ones.
7-9 December 2000 The Intergovernmental Conference concluded at the European Council in Nice agrees on the new Treaty on the European Union (Nice Treaty).
1 January 2001 Greece becomes the twelfth Member State to adopt the euro.
15 December 2001 The European Council convenes a convention on the future of the European Union to pave the way for the next Intergovernmental Conference.
1 January 2002 The euro notes and coins enter into circulation in the twelve participating Member States.
1 March 2002 The dual circulation period ends and the euro becomes the sole legal tender in the twelve participating Member States.
1 February 2003 Nice Treaty enters into force.
1 May 2004 The Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia join the European Union.
18 June 2004 European Union leaders reach agreement on the Constitutional Treaty.
29 October 2004 European Union leaders sign Constitutional Treaty in Rome.
25 April 2005 Accession treaties signed with Bulgaria and Romania.
16-17 June 2005 At a European Council in Brussels, leaders opt to invoke a period of reflection and discussion on the Constitutional Treaty.
3 Oct 2005 European Union accession negotiations open with Croatia and Turkey.
10 March 2006 The EU and Russia sign a joint document to enhance bilateral cooperation in space activities.
7 April 2006 The ".eu" top-level domain opens for all residents within the European Union – citizens, associations, clubs, etc. – providing new Internet space and promoting an EU internet identity.
11 July 2006 The Council of the European Union adopts a decision allowing Slovenia to join the euro area on 1 January, 2007.
26 September 2006 European Commission confirms Bulgaria and Romania’s EU accession on 1 January, 2007
1 January 2007 Slovenia becomes the 13th country to adopt the euro while Bulgaria and Romania join the EU, increasing the number of Member States to 27.
25 March 2007 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome
5 June 2007 16th EU-Japan Summit, Berlin
13 December 2007 Treaty of Lisbon signed.
21 December 2007 Estonia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined the Schengen area.
1 January 2008 Cyrpus and Malta introduce the euro, swelling the size of the eurozone to 15 Member States.
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