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Robert Schuman proposes that France and the Federal Republic of Germany pool their coal and steel resources in a new organisation that other European countries can join.
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In Paris, six countries – Belgium, France, Germany (Federal Republic), Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – sign the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
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In Rome, the six countries sign the treaties establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). They come into force on 1 January 1958.
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At a press conference, General de Gaulle announces that France will veto the United Kingdom joining the European Communities
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In Brussels, accession treaties to the European Communities are signed with Denmark, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom
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Start of the ‘Erasmus’ programme, set up to help young Europeans study abroad, in other European countries.
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The Schengen Agreement is signed, aimed at abolishing checks at the borders between member states of the European Communities.
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The Maastricht European Council adopts a Treaty on European Union. It lays the basis for a common foreign and security policy, closer cooperation on justice and home affairs and the creation of an economic and monetary union, including a single currency. The inter-governmental cooperation in these fields added to the existing Community system creates the European Union (EU). The EEC is renamed the ‘European Community’ (EC).
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Start of the third stage of EMU: the currencies of 11 EU countries are replaced by the euro. The single currency is launched on the money markets. From this point onwards, the European Central Bank (ECB) has responsibility for the EU’s monetary policy, which is defined and implemented in euro.
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People in the euro area countries begin using euro notes and coins
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The Nobel Peace Prize 2012 was awarded to the European Union (EU) "for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe"
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