The European Union at a Glance
50 Years Building Europe
2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of Treaties of Rome, the founding charter of what has become the European Union. For 50 years, the EU members have enjoyed unprecedented peace, prosperity and stability, and carried their integration to hitherto unseen levels.

50 Anniversary

On 25th March 1957 , two treaties were signed in Rome that gave birth to the European Economic Community (EEC) and to the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom): the Treaties of Rome. The Treaty establishing the EEC affirmed in its preamble that signatory States were “determined to lay the foundations of an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe“. It came into force on 1 January 1958.

The new supranational organisation started out as a customs union. As a consequence, the EEC was colloquially known as the “Common Market”. Member countries agreed to dismantle all tariff barriers over a 12-year transitional period and to establish common tariffs for all products coming from third countries.

The “Common Market” gradually developed into a Single Market, providing for the free circulation of not only goods, but also services, people and money across national boundaries. The euro has become the common currency for many Europeans. Europeans are more and more acting together also in areas going beyond the economic realm, in external relations, defence and security, justice, environmental protection and many other fields.

The Treaties of Rome and the 50 years that followed thus signified the triumph of a very realistic and gradualist approach to building the EU. A process was put in motion in which progressive economic integration was paving the way to a long-term objective: that of a comprehensive union of the countries and peoples of Europe.

Signing Of Treaties The signing of the Treaties of Rome on 25th March 1957 Europe Day On 9 May 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman first publicly put forward the ideas that led to the European Union. Every 9 May is celebrated as ‘Europe Day’

Twelve Historic Steps of the European integration

1951 The European Coal and Steel Community is established by the six founding members (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands).

1957 The Treaty of Rome establishes the European Economic Community (EEC) or common market and the European Atomic Energy Community.

1973 The Community expands to nine Member States with the accession of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

1979 The first direct elections to the European Parliament.

1981 The first Mediterranean enlargement with the accession of Greece.

1986 Spain and Portugal enter the EU, bringing membership to 12.

1993 The single market and its four freedoms are established: the free movement of goods, services, people and money.

1993 The Treaty of Maastricht establishes the European Union. It is a major EU milestone, setting rules for the future single currency, for foreign and security policy and closer cooperation in justice and home affairs.

1995 The EU expands to 15 members with the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden.

2002 Euro notes and coins are introduced in 12 Member States.

2004 Ten more countries join the Union: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia.

2007 Bulgaria and Romania join the European Union, brining the number of member states to 27 countries. Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey are also candidates for future membership.