1951 - Treaty of Paris

Six countries - France, West Germany, Italy and the Benelux countries Belgium, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands - set up the European Coal and Steel Community. This became the first step towards forming the European Union. The treaty came into force on 23 July 1952 and expired 50 years later on 23 July 2002.

1957 - Treaty of Rome

signed in Rome, 25 March 1957 European Coal and Steel Community becomes European Economic Community. The six countries of the EEC were Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands.

Establishes common market:
  Free movement of people, goods, services and capital
  Common agricultural policy

Sets up institutions of governance

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1986 - Schengen Agreement

Set up the rules allowing borders to be open between some European countries. The first countries to agree free travel between their territories were Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. Many more countries joined the Schengen area over the following 20 years. Click for more about the Schengen Agreement

1987 - Single European Act

Signed in Luxembourg, 17/28 February 1986
by 12 member states
Came into force 1 July 1987

First major revision of Treaty of Rome

Sets target for completing the Single Market

First powers for Parliament

Extends QMV to speed decision making.

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1992 - Treaty of Maastricht

Signed 7 February 1992 by 12 member states Came into force 1 November 1993 New governance framework More power for European Parliament Paves way for single currency European Community renamed ‘European Union’

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1997 - Treaty of Amsterdam

Signed 2 October 1997
by 15 member states
Came into force  1 May 1999

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2001 - Treaty of Nice

Signed 26 February 2001
by 15 member states
Came into force 1 February 2003

Reforms decision-making ahead of 2004/2007 enlargement     Sets cap on number of Commissioners and MEPs     Removes many national vetoes     Extends qualified majority voting     Revises weighting of votes in Council of Ministers More power for the Parliament Enhanced co-operation

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2007 - Treaty of Lisbon

Signed 13 December 2007 by 27 member states Came into force 1 December 2009 Makes EU more democratic More power for European Parliament Makes EU more efficient, more open Gives EU stronger voice in the world

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