Major developments in the creation of the EU from 1950 to the present day

By domenicaronceros

  • Schuman Declaration

    Declared by French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman

  • European Coal and Steel Community

    Also joined by Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg

  • Treaty of Rome

    The EU started with six members (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy, and West Germany) in 1957 when they signed the Treaty of Rome to create the European Economic Community (E.E.C.). The community established a common market for the free movement of goods, capital services, and people. In 1973, it included Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. In 1991, Greece joined and in 1986, Spain and Portugal joined.

  • Schengen Agreement

    Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany signed the Schengen Agreement. This began the process of removing border controls and improving the free movement of people. In 1986, Spain and Portugal joined, followed by Germany in 1990.

  • Maastricht Treaty - European Union

    In 1993, the Maastricht Treaty created the EU, in 1995 Austria, Finland and Sweden joined. In 2004, Cyprus, Malta, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, and the Czech Republic all joined. In 2007, Romania and Bulgaria joined. Croatia joined in 2013

  • Treaty of Lisbon

    In 2007, all EU members signed the Treaty of Lisbon (it came into force in 2009).