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1948
During the WWII, the European Union of Federalists organises a congress at The Hague, wanting to create an European Institution. But UK rejects the federal approach and the result is the Council of Europe a loose grouping that becomes a guardian of Europe’s human rights. -
1949
1949- The Washington Treaty is signed by the US,Canada, Britain, France, Iceland, Italy , Norway and Portugal, as NATO was born, where is a pact of mutual defence in case that any of those countries is attacked by others, and they’re able to come to its defence. -
1951
Robert Schuman Declaration, where he announced a plan for France and Germany to join the production of coal and oil, in which his ideals were based to create European unity peacefully
Six countries signed the Treaty of Paris, which it sets up a high authority to manage the coal and steel industries and with a common assembly to precursor of the European parliament. -
1959
Countries of the European Economic Cooperation established an European Free Trade Association. -
1974
On December, the Community’s heads of state or government decide to hold meetings three times a year as the European Council, agree direct elections to the European Parliament, resolve to set up the European Regional Development Fund and establish economic and monetary union. -
1978
European Council establishes the European Monetary System based on a European currency unit and the Exchange Rate Mechanism.
ECU has a real currency and is used in travellers’ cheques and bank deposits as ERM gives national currency a central exchange rate against the ECU as all the community’s members apart from the UK join the ERM -
1990
European Council held in Rome launches two Intergovernmental Conferences, one on Economic and Monetary Union, the other on Political Union. -
1992
February: Maastricht Treaty on the European Union is signed, leading to creation of the euro, and the "pillar" structure of the European Union: the European Community (EC) pillar, the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) pillar, and the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) pillar. -
1997
Amsterdam Treaty signed, emphasising citizenship and the rights of individuals, more powers for the European Parliament, the beginnings of a common foreign and security policy (CFSP). -
2004
The Heads of State and Government and EU foreign ministers sign the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe.
