EU Enlargement

The EU

Quick History 1950s – The European coal community begins to unite

European countries politically and economically, the founders being Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

1960s - EU countries stop charging custom duties when they trade with each other. They also agree joint control over food production

1970s - Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Union

1980s - Greece becomes the 10th member of the EU and Spain and Portugal follow five years later. In 1986 the Single European Act is signed allowing free-flow of trade across EU borders and creates the ‘Single Market’

1990s - EU gains three more new members, Austria, Finland and Sweden.

2000s – The Euro becomes currency, the European countries work closer together to fight crime 12 more country's join and the 2008 economic crisis hits

History of Treaties 25 March 1957 – Treaty of Rome creates the EEC (common market) and extends

European integration to include general economic cooperation. 8 April 1965 – Brussels Treaty creation of a single Commission and a single Council to

serve the then three European Communities (EEC, Euratom, ECSC). Repealed by the Treaty of Amsterdam.

17 February 1986 - Single European Act extension of qualified majority voting in the Council (making it harder for a single country to veto proposed legislation), creation of the cooperation and assent procedures, giving Parliament more influence.

7 February 1992 - Maastricht Treaty establishment of the European Union and introduction of the co-decision procedure, giving Parliament more say in decision-making. New forms of cooperation between EU governments – for example on defense and justice and home affairs.

2 October 1997 - Treaty of Amsterdam amendment, renumbering and consolidation of EU and EEC treaties. More transparent decision-making

26 February 2001 - Treaty of Nice methods for changing the composition of the Commission and redefining the voting system in the Council.

13 December 2007 - Treaty of Lisbon more power for the European Parliament, change of voting procedures in the Council, citizens' initiative, a permanent president of the European Council, a new High Representative for Foreign Affairs, a new EU diplomatic service.

The Lisbon treaty clarifies which powers: belong to the EU belong to EU member countries are shared.

History of Enlargement 1957 - Founders – Belgium, France, Italy,

Luxembourg, Nederlands, Germany 1973 - Denmark, Ireland, UK 1981 – Greece 1986 – Portugal, Spain 1995 – Austria, Finland, Sweden 2004 – Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary,

Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia 2007 – Bulgaria, Romania 2013 – Croatia

Appendix

Map of Europe Quick History – Timeline of events ECSC History of treaties – Treaty of Rome Treaties History of enlargement Macro-Effects on UK of enlargement