the history of EU

By Melissa Lukaj

  • NATO is created

    :The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is established, an intergovernmental security alliance between the United States, Canada and 10 Western European countries. By 2020, NATO has 30 members, including 21 EU countries.

  • Treaty of Paris

    France,Italy,West Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands establishing the European Coal and Steel Community.

  • Treaty of Rome

    Building on the success of the Coal and Steel Treaty, the 6 founding countries expand their cooperation to other economic sectors.

  • Birth of the European Parliament

    The first meeting of the European Parliamentary Assembly

  • The Berlin Wall is built

    The communist government in East Germany builds a wall across Berlin. It becomes a symbol of the separation of Eastern and Western Europe during the Cold War.

  • From 6 to 9 member countries

    The 6 members become 9 when Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom formally join the European Communities.

  • First direct elections to the European Parliament

    :European citizens directly elect the members of the European Parliament for the first time. Previously members were delegated by national parliaments. Members sit in pan-European political groups, not in national delegations

  • Greece becomes the 10th country to join

  • Spain and Portugal join the European

  • Fall of the Berlin Wall

    The Berlin Wall falls and the border between East and West is opened for the first time in 28 years. Germany is united after more than 40 years, and its Eastern half joins the European Communities in October 1990

  • Maastricht Treaty

    The Treaty on European Union is signed in Maastricht in the Netherlands. It is a major milestone, setting clear rules for the future single currency as well as for foreign and security policy and closer cooperation in justice and home affairs. The ‘European Union’ is officially created by the treaty, which enters into force on 1 November 1993.

  • European Economic Area is created

    The agreement establishing the European Economic Area (EEA) enters into force, extending the single market to countries in EFTA.

  • :Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU

  • Treaty of Amsterdam

    The Treaty of Amsterdam is signed. It builds on the achievements of the Maastricht Treaty, laying down plans to reform the EU institutions, give Europe a stronger voice in the world and devote more resources to employment and the rights of citizens. It enters into force on 1 May 1999.

  • The euro is born

  • Treaty of Nice

    EU leaders sign the Treaty of Nice. It aims to reform the institutions so the EU can function efficiently after reaching 25 member countries and prepare for the next major group of new members joining. It comes into force on 1 February 2003.

  • Terrorist attacks in the United States:

    Hijacked airliners are flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon building in Washington. Nearly 3,000 people die. The EU countries stand firmly alongside the United States in the fight against international terror.

  • Euro notes and coins launch in 12 countries

    :Euro notes and coins become the legal currency in 12 EU countries

  • 10 new countries

    Cyprus and Malta join the EU along with 8 Central and Eastern European countries — Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia

  • The EU welcomes Bulgaria and Romania:

  • Lisbon Treaty

    The 27 EU countries sign the Treaty of Lisbon, which amends the previous treaties. It is designed to make the EU more democratic, efficient and transparent, and thereby able to tackle global challenges such as climate change, security and sustainable development. All EU countries ratify the Treaty before it enters into force on 1 December 2009.

  • EU awarded Nobel Peace Prize

    The European Union receives the Nobel Peace Prize at a ceremony in Oslo. The prize recognises the EU's contribution over 6 decades to promoting peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights.

  • Croatia becomes the 28th EU member

  • Terrorists strike in Europe

    A number of European cities, including Paris, Brussels, Nice, Berlin, London and Barcelona, become the target of terrorist attacks. The European Union and its Member States take action to address all aspects of the terrorist threat.

  • United Kingdom votes to leave the EU

    In a referendum in June 2016, 52% of voters in the United Kingdom vote for the UK to leave the European Union after more than 40 years as a member. The UK departs on 31 January 2020.

  • United Kingdom leaves the EU

    The UK leaves the EU after 47 years of membership, opening a new chapter in its relationship with the EU.