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A peaceful Europe – the beginnings of cooperation
French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presents a plan for deeper
cooperation. Later, every 9 May is celebrated as ' Europe Day'. -
Schuman plan
Based on the Schuman plan, six countries sign a treaty to run their heavy industries – coal and steel – under a common management. In this way, none can on its own make the weapons of war to turn against the other, as in the past. The six are Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and
Luxembourg. -
The ‘Swinging Sixties’ – a period of economic growth
The 1960s sees the emergence of 'youth culture’, with groups such as The Beatles attracting huge crowds of teenage fans wherever they appear, helping to stimulate a cultural revolution. It is a good period for the economy, -
Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)
The EU signs its first big international agreement — a deal to help 18 colonies in Africa. By 2005, it has a special partnership with 78 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) regions. The EU is the world’s biggest provider of development assistance to poorer countries. -
Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European
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Greece enter the EU
Membership of the EU reaches double figures when Greece joins -
Spain and Portugal enter the EU
Spain and Portugal enter the EU, bringing membership to 12. -
The Berlin Wall is pulled down and the border between East and West Germany
The Berlin Wall is pulled down and the border between
East and West Germany is opened for the first time in 28 years, -
The Treaty on European Union
The Treaty on European Union, is signed in Maastricht in the Netherlands, setting clear rules for the future single currency as well as for foreign and security policy and closer cooperation in justice and home affairs. Under the treaty, the ‘European Union’ is officially created. -
Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU.
Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU. The 15 members now cover almost the whole of western Europe. -
Euro notes and coins
Euro notes and coins become the legal currency in 12 EU countries. -
Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia join the EU
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Bulgaria and Romania join the EU
Two more countries from eastern Europe - Bulgaria and Romania - join the EU, bringing the number of Member States to 27. -
The EU is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
The EU is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for over six decades [having]contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy andhuman rights in Europe". -
Croatia joins the EU
Croatia joins the EU, becoming its 28th member. -
The United Kingdomvoted to leave the EU.
However, in 2016, one member— the United Kingdom—voted to leave the EU. country officially left the union on January 31, 2020
