EUnify
As a symbol of unrest and a call to action, the project asks for critical engagement with the European project. In this time of crisis, it’s a symbol and a crucial reminder that there is value in collaboration and strength in unity. But where did it all start and where will it end?
1957
The European Economic Community (EEC) is created. The member countries are Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. The group aims to remove trade barriers and form a common market.
1973
Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom become member countries.
1981
Greece becomes a member.
1985
Spain and Portugal become members.
1985
Five of the 10 member states sign the Schengen Agreement, which eventually opens borders of agreeing member states, doing away with border controls. As of 2016, 26 countries belong to the Schengen Area.
1992
The Treaty on the European Union is signed in Maastricht (Netherlands)
by leaders of the member states.
1993
The Maastricht Treaty enters into force.
1993
The EC members at the time (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain, UK, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, and Portugal) extend their cooperation into the areas of justice and home affairs and a common foreign and security policy.
1995
Austria, Finland, and Sweden join the EU.
2004
A ceremony is held in Dublin, Ireland, marking the expansion of the EU
from 15 to 25 members. The new members are Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, and Slovenia.
2004
The member countries approve the text of the EU Constitution. It is signed by all the members in October 2004.
2005
The people of France (and its territories) vote against the European Union constitution in a referendum. (No = 54.87%/Yes = 45.13%)
2005
The Netherlands votes against the constitution in a referendum. All 27 members of the EU must pass the constitution for it to take effect. Either a national parliament can approve it or in some countries, the citizens vote on a referendum.
2007
European Union leaders in Brussels agree on an outline of a treaty that would replace the EU constitution rejected by French and Dutch voters two years ago.
2008
The European Union decides to lift diplomatic sanctions imposed on Cuba.
2009
Herman Van Rompuy, the Belgian Prime Minister, becomes the first pre
sident of the European Council under the Treaty of Lisbon. Catherine Ashton of the UK will be the first foreign minister.
2009
The Treaty of Lisbon comes into force, having been ratified by all European Union member states. It amends the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 and the Rome Treaty of 1957.
2012
Is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for contributing to the advancement of peace, democracy and human rights in Europe. June 25, 2013 - The European Union agrees to a new round of membership negotiations with Turkey. July 1, 2013 - Croatia joins the EU as its 28th member.
2014
The European Union launches military operations to restore stability to the Central African Republic. March 2015 - Iceland withdraws its request to be
considered as a candidate for membership.
2016
The EU and Turkey reach an agreement on how to deal with a flood of Syrian refugees. The agreement stipulates that all migrants entering Greece from Turkey will be returned to Turkey. For every Syrian returned to Turkey from Greece, another Syrian will be resettled to the EU.
2016
The UK votes to leave the European Union. It will take at least two years to sort out the exit.
2017
Britain’s exit from the European Union moves another step closer after the legislation enabling the country’s departure is given royal assent by Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen’s signature means that British Prime Minister Theresa May is now able to move forward and trigger Article 50, allowing formal talks to begin between Downing Street and the EU’s 27 member states on the terms of the divorce, nicknamed “Brexit.”
