Twinning - European Union Historical Awareness
After World War 2, there was fear of military confrontation between France and Germany over control of the steel and coal rich Ruhr Region.
1950
French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman put forward “The Schumana Plan”, drafted by economist and civil servant Jean Monnet, placing the entire coal and steel production under the control of one authority.
1951
The European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) is established by the Treaty of Paris. France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg signed. The purpose was to prevent war in Europe.
1957
The Treaty of Rome was signed on March 25th by France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg establishing the European Economic Community (EEC). Euratom, a separate treaty creating the European Atomic Energy Community was also signed.
1973
The Republic of Ireland, the UK and Denmark join the EEC on January 1st.
1981
Greece joins.
1986
Spain and Portugal become EEC Member States. The European Flag - blue background with 12 golden stars is unveiled.
1991
The Maastricht Treaty on European Economic and Monetary Union is signed.
The EEC becomes the European Union.1995
Austria, Sweden and Finland join the EU. Norway votes not to join.
2002
The Euro is accepted in 12 EU countries.
(The UK Sweden & Denmark keep their own currencies)2004
Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia join on May 1st.
2007
Bulgaria and Romania join. Slovenia meets the requirements to replace its currency with the Euro.