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French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented a plan for deeper cooperation. Later, every 9 May is celebrated as 'Europe Day'.
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Based on the Schuman plan, six countries signed the “Treaty of Paris” to run their heavy industries – coal and steel – under a common management (ECSC). In this way, none can on its own make the weapons of war to turn against the other, as in the past. The six were Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
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Building on the success of the Coal and Steel Treaty, the six countries expanded cooperation to other economic sectors. They signed the “Treaty of Rome”, creating the European Economic Community (EEC), or ‘common market’. The idea was for people, goods and services to move freely across borders.
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The Schengen Agreement were signed but they came into force on 26 March 1995.
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The Single European Act was signed. It launches a vast six-year programme to sort these out. The Act also gives the European Parliament more say and strengthens EU powers in environmental protection.
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The collapse of communism across central and eastern Europe, which began in Poland and Hungary, is symbolised by the fall of the Berlin Wall. Faced by a mass exodus of its citizens to West, the East German government throws open the gates. Germany is united after more than 40 years, and its eastern part joins the EU (October 1990).
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The Treaty on European Union is signed in Maastricht in the Netherlands (it entered into force on 1 November 1993). It is a major EU 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. Under the treaty, the ‘European Union’ is officially created.
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The single market and its four freedoms are established: the free movement of goods, services, people and money is now a reality.
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The Schengen Agreement takes effect in seven countries — Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Travellers of any nationality can travel between all these countries with no passport control at the frontiers. Other countries have since joined the passport-free Schengen area.
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The Treaty of Amsterdam is signed. It contains innovations that go in the direction of strengthening political union, with new provisions in the policies of Freedom, Security and Justice.
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The euro is introduced in 11 countries for commercial and financial transactions only.
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Euro notes and coins become the legal currency in 12 EU countries.
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The EU is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for over six decades [having] contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe".
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Eight countries of central and eastern Europe — the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia — join the EU. Cyprus and Malta also become members.
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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. The Treaty of Lisbon is ratified by all EU countries before entering into force on 1 December 2009.
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Croatia joins the EU, becoming its 28th member.
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With a referendum the United Kingdom has shown that it wants to leave the European Union.
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British Prime Minister Theresa May followed the wishes of the voters. He submitted a notification for the country's exit from the EU by appealing to Article 50, giving the United Kingdom and the European Union until 29 March 2019 to negotiate an agreement.
