The main dates for the construction of the European Union

View of the flags of the 27 members of the European Union at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, October 19, 2021 © Ronald Wittek / AFP

Text by: Manuela Bermudez Follow |

Latifa Mouaoued Follow |

Emmanuel Sevin

19 mins

From the Coal and Steel Economic Community (ECSC) to the European Economic Community, from six to 27 countries, including Brexit, find the key dates in the construction of the European Union.

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May 9, 1950: the Schuman Declaration

In a declaration, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Schuman, a supporter of Franco-German reconciliation, proposes to " 

 ”. 

By pooling the resources necessary for armaments and industry, the Schuman plan aims to prevent a new war between France and Germany and to prepare for " 

" of European countries which so wish. .

“Europe will not be built at once or in a comprehensive construction, it will be built through concrete achievements first creating de facto solidarity.

"

EU construction: Robert Schuman declaration

April 18, 1951: the European Coal and Steel Community 

The Treaty

establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which brings together Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, is signed in Paris.

He created the first supranational institutions on the European continent, in particular the High Authority.

“Since this morning, all of us, Germans, Belgians, French, Dutch, Italians and Luxembourgers have become Europeans.

"

EU construction: Jean Monnet, President of the High Authority

August 30, 1954: France rejects the European Defense Community

The European Defense Community (CED), proposed by the President of the French Council René Pleven on an idea by Jean Monnet, aims to create a European army under supranational command, on the model of the ECSC.

The treaty establishing the EDC was signed in May 1952. The idea of ​​German rearmament, less than ten years after the war, divided the French political class and opinion.

On August 30, 1954, the National Assembly voted in majority against the ratification of the treaty and put an end to the project.

March 25, 1957

: the Treaty of Rome

The six members of the ECSC sign in Rome the treaty giving birth to the European Economic Community (EEC). The Treaty, which sets as objectives the political cooperation and economic development of the Member States, provides for the progressive liberalization of trade within a common market, a customs union as well as the free movement of persons, services and capital. It also organizes the development of common policies in the fields of trade, competition, transport and agriculture.

At the institutional level, it establishes the European Commission, an independent executive body which has a right of initiative, and the European Parliament, whose power is then consultative.

Most of the decision-making powers lie with the Council of Ministers, made up of government representatives.

The Six signed on the same day a second treaty which created the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom) in order to develop a European nuclear industry.

The two treaties entered into force on January 14, 1958.

EU construction: Paul-Henri Spaak and Christian Pineau

1962

: the Common Agricultural Policy

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) organizes the common agricultural market.

It is based on high internal prices, guaranteed by Brussels, border protection and Community preference, the CAP aims to make Europe self-sufficient in terms of food.

July 1, 1965

: crisis of the "

empty chair"

 between France and Europe

Paris rejects the financing plan for agricultural policy proposed by the Commission, and recalls its permanent representative in Brussels.

France refuses for seven months to sit in community bodies, practicing "

empty chair policy ”.

General de Gaulle is also opposed to the abandonment, planned for January 1, 1966, of the unanimity rule within the Council, which in fact preserved France's right of veto.

On January 29, 1966, he obtained by means of the “Luxembourg compromise” that the majority rule should not be applied when “ 

 ”.

“You can jump on your chair like a kid saying: Europe, Europe!

But it doesn't get anywhere.

"

EU construction: General Charles de Gaulle

September 27, 1972

The Norwegians reject their country's membership of the European Economic Community (EEC) negotiated by the government by 53.9%.

Independent since 1905, Norway is very attached to its national identity and its sovereignty.

Prosperous thanks in particular to hydrocarbons and fishing, it also has economic interests different from other European countries.

January 1, 1973: first enlargement

The EEC now has nine member states with the accession of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

7-10 June 1979

: election of the European Parliament by universal suffrage

This is the first time that the MEPs, numbering 410, have been elected by universal suffrage, with states having until then appointed representatives in Strasbourg.

These European elections, organized on the same day in the nine countries of the Community, must then take place every five years.

In July, Simone Veil was elected President of the European Parliament, with still weak powers.

November 30, 1979

: the British rebate

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher demands a reduction in her country's contribution to the EU budget, and refuses the UK to pay more than it receives.

On November 30, 1979, she let it be known: “ 

 »She launches from the platform of the European summit in Dublin, where no compromise could be found on the issue.

On June 26, 1984, during the Fontainebleau summit, Margaret Thatcher finally obtained substantial financial compensation, after five years of crisis.

January 1, 1981

: second enlargement

The EEC now has ten member states with the accession of Greece.

“The political importance of Greece's accession does not make anyone forget the extent of the economic problems posed by the integration of a productive, but poorly supervised agriculture and a faltering industry.

"

EU construction: Quentin Dickinson

June 14, 1985

Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands sign the agreements of the same name in Schengen (Luxembourg).

They are supplemented by the implementing convention of June 19, 1990, which comes into force on March 26, 1995. The agreement abolishes border controls and allows free movement in the European area (known as "Schengen"), creating a single external border where entry checks are carried out according to common procedures.

January 1, 1986

: third enlargement

The EEC now has twelve member states with the accession of Spain and Portugal.

“I believe that Spain and Portugal have a history turned more towards Arab countries, Africa, Latin America and Central America, so it is not without reflection that these two countries have decided to join the Community of a more continental Europe.

"

EU construction: Jacques Delors, President of the Commission of the European Community.

February 28, 1986

The Single European Act, signed in Luxembourg, aims to complete the internal market by establishing the principles of the free movement of people and goods, services and capital.

It confirms the existence of the European Council, which brings together the Heads of State and Government of the Member States four times a year as well as the President of the European Commission.

The Single European Act entered into force on July 1, 1987.

October 3, 1990

: reunification of Germany

Less than a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the East German communist regime, Germany, divided for fifty years, is officially reunited.

The former East Germany is thus integrated into the EEC.

February 7, 1992

: the Maastricht Treaty on European Union 

The Treaty on European Union, signed in Maastricht (Netherlands), goes beyond the initial economic objective of a common market: it establishes a European Union (EU) among the Twelve and gives it a political vocation.

It extends Community competences to new areas and establishes enhanced cooperation in the areas of common foreign and security policy, justice and home affairs.

It recognizes European citizenship which creates new rights and establishes an Economic and Monetary Union leading to a single currency.

It comes into force on November 1, 1993.

EU construction: Leotard and Chevènement

June 2, 1992

With a participation of 82.3%, 50.7% of voters vote against the Treaty of Maastricht in Denmark.

A revised version of the treaty, including four derogations (single currency, police and judicial cooperation, common defense and European citizenship), was approved in the new referendum in May 1993.

“The Commission takes note of the will expressed by the Danish people.

[...] This "no" resulting from the referendum should make everyone think.

"

EU construction: Jacques Delors on Maastricht

November 13, 1994: Sweden becomes a member of the European Union

The Swedes approve by referendum the accession of their country to the European Union, effective the following January 1.

November 28, 1994

: Norway rejects its membership of the European Union a second time by referendum

On November 27 and 28, the Norwegians reiterate their rejection of 1972 and reject EU membership by 52.2% of the vote.

January 1, 1995

: fourth enlargement

The European Union now has fifteen Member States with the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden.

March 26, 1995

: 

entry into force of the Schengen agreements

The Schengen agreements come into force for the seven signatory states (Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal).

The Schengen area was extended to Italy in 1997, Austria in 1998 and Greece in 2000.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for choosing this Air France Paris-Berlin flight which inaugurates the implementation of the Schengen agreements.

"

EU construction: Application of the Schengen agreements

October 2, 1997

: the Treaty of Amsterdam

The Amsterdam Treaty, signed on October 2, 1997, modifies the Maastricht Treaty with a view to future enlargements.

It broadens the co-decision procedure between the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament and the areas for which the Council decides by qualified majority.

It comes into force on May 1, 1999.

January 1, 1999

: the euro, the new common European currency

The euro becomes the common currency of the eleven Member States (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal) which have chosen it and which meet the defined convergence criteria. by the Maastricht Treaty. The parities between the national currencies, which become subdivisions of the new currency, are fixed definitively. Monetary powers are transferred to the European Central Bank (ECB), established in June 1998. Greece, which does not meet the conditions, will join the "euro zone" thus created in January 2001. The United Kingdom and Denmark , which benefit from an exemption clause, refuse to adopt the euro, as well as Sweden. Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican and Andorra, micro-states in monetary union with their immediate neighbors,also adopted the new currency, the entry into circulation of which is scheduled for January 1, 2002.

“We calculated the value of one euro in each of the national currencies, a value which will no longer vary and which is irrevocable.

"

EU construction: the euro by Quentin Dickinson

March 16, 1999

: collective resignation from the European Commission

The European Commission chaired by Jacques Santer resigns collectively after being called into question in a report commissioned by the European Parliament, which denounces its administrative mismanagement, frauds and cases of nepotism.

The Fifteen, meeting in summit in Berlin, appoint the former head of the Italian government, Romano Prodi, as president of the next Commission.

“The Commission is thus assuming its responsibilities in accordance with the commitment it made following the reports of the independent experts.

"

EU construction: Jacques Santer, President of the European Commission

September 28, 2000

: Denmark rejects the euro by referendum

With a participation rate of 87.8%, 53.1% of voters vote against adopting the euro.

Denmark retains the Danish krone and remains, like the United Kingdom and Sweden, outside the euro area of ​​the European Union, then made up of eleven of the fifteen Member States.

February 26, 2001

: signing of the Treaty of Nice

The Treaty of Nice reforms the European institutions and the decision-making procedure with a view to the forthcoming enlargement of the Union.

The European Commission will now have one Commissioner per Member State and the Parliament, whose role of co-legislator is reinforced, 732 MEPs.

Qualified majority voting, intended to limit blocking minorities, is extended to many areas, with the right of veto being maintained in others.

A new weighting of votes in the Council of Ministers is adopted according to the demographic weight of the States.

Enhanced cooperation between States is also facilitated.

It comes into force on February 1, 2003.

March 25, 2001

: enlargement of the Schengen area

Five Nordic states enter the Schengen area: Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland, the latter two being associated with the Schengen agreements while not belonging to the European Union

June 8, 2001

: Ireland rejects the Treaty of Nice by referendum

With a participation rate of 32%, 54% of voters vote against the Treaty of Nice.

The text will be approved in a new referendum in October 2002 (62.9% of the voters for a participation of 48.4%), after Ireland obtained from the Fifteen the guarantee of maintaining its neutrality.

“In recent days all the polls had predicted a massive 'yes', the surprise rejection of the Treaty of Nice took everyone by surprise.

"

EU construction: rejection of Ireland Treaty of Nice

January 1, 2002

: entry into circulation of the euro

The common currency is put into circulation in the twelve Member States of the euro area.

The coins have a common side and a national side, including for Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican, micro-states in monetary union with their immediate neighbors.

“I paid in francs and they gave me back euros.

"

EU construction: entry into circulation of the euro

February 28, 2002

: the “Convention on the Future of Europe”

Convened at the Laeken summit in December 2001, the “Convention on the Future of Europe” held its inaugural session.

Its mission is to rethink the European institutions and the sharing of powers within the framework of a Union soon to be enlarged to twenty-seven countries and to draw up a founding treaty paving the way for a “Constitution for Europe”.

105 conventional members, European and national parliamentarians, government, Commission and candidate country representatives are participating in this work.

In June 2003, the Convention presented a draft constitutional treaty.

“The accumulation of texts and protocols made Europe disappear behind a paper partition.

"

EU construction: Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

September 14, 2003

: Sweden rejects the euro by referendum

With a participation of 82.6%, 55.9% of voters vote against adopting the euro.

Sweden, which does not benefit from an exemption clause on the common currency like the United Kingdom and Denmark, retains the Swedish krona and remains outside the euro area of ​​the European Union, then made up of twelve of the fifteen Member States.

May 1, 2004

: fifth enlargement

The European Union now has twenty-five Member States with the accession of ten new States: Cyprus and Malta as well as eight Central and Eastern European States from the former communist bloc (Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia) and the USSR (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania). 

October 29, 2004

: signature of the European Constitution

The treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe (says "

European Constitution ”) was signed in Rome, where the founding treaty was signed in 1957. Negotiated and revised on the basis of the draft Convention, it merges the European treaties into a single one, modifies the institutional architecture, lays down the principles and the Union operating rules, and enacts the Charter of Fundamental Rights. 

February 20, 2005

: Spain approves the European Constitution by referendum

With a 42.3% stake,

76.7% of voters are in favor of the constitutional treaty, in a predominantly Europhile country.

May 29, 2005

: France rejects the European Constitution by referendum

Avec une participation de 69,3%, 54,7% des votants se prononcent contre le traité constitutionnel en France. Provoquant pendant la campagne un vaste débat sur l'Union européenne, son fonctionnement et ses orientations, notamment économiques, le référendum divise les partis politiques et la société française. Avec le refus d'une Europe trop libérale ou trop soumise à Bruxelles, le vote est également l'expression d'un profond mécontentement des électeurs contre le gouvernement et la mauvaise situation socio-économique.

« Vous avez majoritairement rejeté la Constitution européenne, c'est votre décision souveraine et j'en prends acte. »

Construction UE : Jacques Chirac

« La France a voté et la France a dit "non", nous en avons le cœur gros. »

Construction UE : Jean-Claude Juncker

1er juin 2005: les Pays-Bas rejettent la Constitution européenne par référendum

Trois jours après le « non » français au traité constitutionnel européen, 63,1% des Néerlandais se prononcent à leur tour contre le traité, avec une participation de 62,8%. Premier référendum aux Pays-Bas depuis l'instauration du régime parlementaire en 1848, il a donné lieu à un vaste débat sur l'Union européenne, la souveraineté et l'influence du pays au sein de l'Europe élargie, exprimant également un rejet du gouvernement.

« Le processus de ratification doit continuer, il n'y aura pas de meilleur traité. Nous avons pris acte avec regret du rejet par les peuples français et néerlandais. »

Construction UE : Jean-Claude Juncker Pays-Bas

4 octobre 2005: ouverture des négociations d'adhésion avec la Croatie et la Turquie

Les pourparlers avec Zagreb avaient été retardés en raison du manque de collaboration des autorités croates avec le Tribunal pénal international pour l'ex-Yougoslavie (TPIY). Le cadre de négociation adopté par les Vingt-Cinq avec la Turquie le même jour souligne que l'objectif partagé est l'adhésion, mais que le processus est « ouvert » et que son issue ne peut être garantie, insistant sur la nécessité de tenir compte de la capacité d'absorption financière et institutionnelle de l'Union.

« Je demande le gel des négociations, la Turquie n'applique pas le protocole d'Ankara. [...] J'ajoute que pour moi, la Turquie n'est pas en Europe. »

Construction UE : Nicolas Sarkozy

16 décembre 2005: la Macédoine officiellement candidate

Le Conseil européen accorde le statut de pays candidat à l'ancienne république yougoslave de Macédoine, indépendante depuis 1991, sans toutefois avancer une date de lancement des négociations. Après la Slovénie, devenue membre en 2004, et la Croatie, avec laquelle les négociations d'adhésion ont été ouvertes en octobre 2005, c'est le troisième État issu de l'ex-Yougoslavie à obtenir ce statut.

1er janvier 2007: sixième élargissement

L'Union européenne compte désormais vingt-sept États membres avec l'adhésion de la Bulgarie et de la Roumanie.

1er janvier 2007: la Slovénie adopte l'euro

Moins de trois ans après son adhésion à l'Union européenne, en mai 2004, la Slovénie adopte officiellement l'euro. Premier des dix nouveaux États membres à respecter les critères de convergence nécessaires à cette adhésion, la Slovénie devient le treizième pays de la zone euro.

13 décembre 2007: signature du traité de Lisbonne

Négocié après le rejet de la Constitution européenne par les Français et les Néerlandais en 2005, le traité de Lisbonne modifie les traités existants et réorganise les institutions de l'Union élargie. La notion de Constitution disparaît, ainsi que la référence aux symboles de l'Union (drapeau, hymne, devise). Le texte prévoit notamment un président stable du Conseil européen, le renforcement des pouvoirs du Parlement, la recomposition de la Commission et l'extension du vote à la majorité qualifiée, dont le mode de calcul doit être modifié. Le traité doit entrer en vigueur le 1er janvier 2009 si toutes les procédures de ratification sont terminées.

« Les chefs d'États et de gouvernements ont fait le voyage à Lisbonne pour parapher l'épais traité réformé. »

Construction UE : traité de Lisbonne

21 décembre 2007: élargissement à l'est de l'espace Schengen

L'espace Schengen est étendu à neuf des dix États entrés dans l'Union européenne en 2004, à l'exception de Chypre, comptant désormais 24 États membres pour 400 millions d'habitants. 

1er janvier 2008: Chypre et Malte adoptent l'euro

Moins de quatre ans après leur adhésion à l'Union européenne, en mai 2004, Chypre et Malte adoptent officiellement l'euro et portent à quinze le nombre d'États membres de la zone euro.

12 juin 2008: l'Irlande rejette le traité de Lisbonne par référendum

Avec une participation de 53,1%, 53,4% des votants se prononcent contre le traité de Lisbonne, dans le seul pays à organiser un référendum pour sa ratification. Exprimant leur méfiance envers les élites de Dublin et de Bruxelles, les Irlandais refusent un texte qu'ils jugent incompréhensible et préjudiciable à leur souveraineté.

« Le peuple irlandais n'a pas rendu service, ni à son identité ni à l'Europe. »

Construction UE : Jean-Claude Juncker rejet Irlande traité Lisbonne

13 juillet 2008: création de l'Union pour la Méditerranée

Souhaitée à l'origine par la France comme une union des seuls pays riverains du pourtour méditerranéen, l'Union pour la Méditerranée (UPM) est finalement inscrite dans le cadre du partenariat UE-Méditerranée (processus de Barcelone) initié en 1995, qu'elle doit relancer. Créée officiellement le 13 juillet 2008 lors d'un sommet à Paris, l'UPM réunit les vingt-sept membres de l'Union européenne et seize pays méditerranéens des Balkans, du Maghreb et du Proche-Orient. Six premiers projets concrets sont prévus concernant la dépollution de la Méditerranée, les transports, la protection civile, l'énergie solaire, une université euro-méditerranéenne et le développement des affaires.

« Six axes ont bien été retenus : la dépollution de la Méditerranée, la construction d’autoroutes maritimes et terrestres, le renforcement de la protection civile, mais aussi le développement de l’énergie solaire, le développement des PME et la mise en place d’une université euro-méditerranéenne. »

Construction UE : Bilan de l'Union pour la Méditerranée

12 décembre 2008 : la Suisse adhère à la Convention de Schengen

L'espace Schengen ainsi élargi compte désormais 25 pays.

1er janvier 2009 : la Slovaquie adopte l'euro

Indépendante en 1993 et membre de l'Union européenne depuis 2004, la Slovaquie adopte officiellement l'euro et devient le 16e État membre de la zone euro.

1er juillet 2013 : la Croatie rejoint l’Union européenne

Après 8 ans de négociations, la Croatie devient le 28e État de l’Union européenne qui compte désormais plus de 508 millions de personnes.

23 juin 2016:vote du Royaume-Uni en faveur de la sortie de l’UE

Lors d'un référendum, les Britanniques votent à 51,9% pour la sortie du Royaume-Uni de l’Union européenne. Le 29 mars 2017, le gouvernement britannique active l’article 50 du traité européen pour lancer les négociations entre Londres et Bruxelles, prévues pour une période de deux ans. La sortie du Royaume-Uni de l’UE est fixée au 29 mars 2019. Pour éviter les effets d’une rupture brutale, les deux parties s’accordent sur une période de transition de 21 mois à partir du 30 mars 2019. Mais le gouvernement de Theresa May peine à faire adopter l’accord du Brexit

by the British Parliament.

The initial date of March 29, 2019 is postponed three times and finally set for January 31, 2020, with a transition period until December 31, 2020. During this, London continues to apply EU rules but no longer participates in European decision-making.

January 1, 2021

: the United Kingdom leaves the European Union

Forty-eight years after its accession in 1973, the United Kingdom left the European Union, which came to 27 member countries.

The

Agreement signed between the EU and the UK comes into force on May 1, 2021.

This article was originally published on 07/16/2008.

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