History of the EU

Written by LDEG on Wed 1st Jun 2005

1951: Treaty of Paris- European Coal and Steel Community set up by Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Netherlands

1958: Treaties of Rome - EEC (European Economic Community) and Euratom (European Atomic Energy Authority) are set up

1973: Denmark, Ireland and the UK join the EC

1979: 1st direct elections for the European Parliament

1981: Greece joins the EC (10th member)

1984: 2nd direct elections for the European Parliament

1986: Spain and Portugal join the EC

1987: Single European Act comes into force

1989: 3rd direct elections for the European Parliament

1990: Agreement on setting up EBRD is signed

1993: treaty of Maastricht - European Union comes into being

1994: Committee of the Regions is set up

1994: 4th direct elections for the European Parliament

1995: Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU

1999: Amsterdam treaty in force. 5th direct elections for the European Parliament (1st in UK to use a form of PR)

2002: Euro launched

2004: 6th direct elections for the European Parliament