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The beginnings of cooperation
The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbours, which culminated in the Second World War. The six founding countries are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. -
Economic Growth
The 1960s is a good period for the economy, helped by the fact that EU countries stop charging custom duties when they trade with each other. -
A Growing Community
Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Union on 1 January 1973, raising the number of Member States to nine, the EU regional policy starts to transfer huge sums of money to create jobs and infrastructure in poorer areas. -
The Changing Face of Europe
There is major political upheaval when, on 9 November 1989, the Berlin Wall is pulled down and the border between East and West Germany is opened for the first time in 28 years. This leads to the reunification of Germany, when both East and West Germany are united in October 1990. -
A Continent Without Frontiers
With the collapse of communism across central and eastern Europe, Europeans become closer neighbours. In 1993 the Single Market is completed with the 'four freedoms' of: movement of goods, services, people and money. The 1990s is also the decade of two treaties: the ‘Maastricht’ Treaty on European Union in 1993 and the Treaty of Amsterdam in 1999. -
Further Expansion
During the decade more and more countries adopt the euro. EU countries begin to work much more closely together to fight crime. -
A Challenging Decade
The global economic crisis strikes hard in Europe. The EU helps several countries to confront their difficulties and establishes the 'Banking Union' to ensure safer and more reliable banks. In 2012, the European Union is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.