Town Twinning:
“United in Diversity” is the motto of the European Union.
Town Twinning Associations organise a variety of exchange programmes for E.U citizens to help promote the motto.
The European Union through the Education, Audiovisual & Culture Exchange Agency (EACEA) regularly financially supports Town Twinning Citizens’ Meetings.
Carrickmacross / Carhaix Town Twinning Association acknowledges receipt of “Europe for Citizens Programmes” grant aid on a number of occasions.
The E.U.
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”, |
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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. |
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The ECSC entered into force in 1952. It expired in 2002 |
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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). |
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The Treaty of Rome entered into force in 1958. |
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Euratom, a separate treaty creating the European Atomic Energy Community was also signed. |
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1965: |
The Brussels Treaty is signed. Entered into force 1967. |
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1973: |
The Republic of Ireland, the U.K and Denmark join the EEC on January 1st. |
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1981: |
Greece joins The European Community |
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1986: |
Spain and Portugal become EEC Member States. |
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The European Flag – blue background with 12 golden stars in a circle to symbolise the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe is unveiled. |
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Single European Act is signed. Entered into force 1987. |
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1992: |
The Maastricht Treaty on European Economic and Monetary Union is signed. |
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Entered into force in 1993. |
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1995: |
Austria, Sweden and Finland join the E.U. Norway votes not to join. |
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1997: |
The Treaty of Amsterdam is signed. Entered into force in 1999. |
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2001: |
The Treaty of Nice is signed. Entered into force in 2003 |
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2002: |
The Euro is accepted in 12 E.U. countries. (The U.K. Sweden & Denmark retain their own currencies) |
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2004: |
Cyprus, The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia join on May 1st. |
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2007: |
Bulgaria and Romania join the E.U. |
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The Lisbon Treaty is signed. Entered into force in 2009. |
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2013: |
Croatia joins the European Union bringing the number of member states to 28. |
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2014: | The euro is the currency of 18 E.U. states: | ||||||||||||||||||
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(The 10 remaining member states retain their own currency)