EU law

1939–1945

World War II

1949

Council of Europe established

1950

Schuman Declaration

1951

Treaty of Paris

1952

European coal and steel community (ECSC) enters into force

1957

Treaty of Rome

1958

EEC and Euratom enter into force

1967

Merger Treaty

• single council

• single commission

1968

The Customs Union

1970

Treaty of luxembourg

1971

community’s own resources

1973

First enlargement round: UK, Ireland, Denmark join (Norway doesn’t)

1973

Oil crisis

1974-1975

Democratic transition in south Europe

1974

Greek military dictatorship ends

1974

Portugal dictatorship ends

1975

Spain begins democratic transition

1979

First direct elections to the European Parliament

1979

European Monetary System established

1981

Greece joins

1985

Greenland leaves the EEC

1985

Schengen Agreement (signing)

1986

Spain and Portugal join the EEC

1986-1987

Single European act

• Completition of internal market

• Introduction of the qualified majority voting

• stronger role of European parliament

1989

Fall of the Berlin Wall

1990

German reunification

1992

Maastricht Treaty/ the treaty of the European Union signed

1993

Maastricht Treaty enters into force and creates the EU

1993

Launch of the European single market

1994

The European Economic Area (EEA)

• EFTA + EC = EEA

  • EFTA = Austria, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland

• Switzerland bailed out EEA

1995

Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU

1995

Norway bails out => negative referendum

1995

Schengen agreement (implemented)

1999

Introduction of the euro (as accounting currency, non-physical)

1999

Treaty of Amsterdam

2002

Physical Euro banknotes and coins introduced

2003

Treaty of Nice

2004

Largest EU enlargement round (CC ESS LL MPH)

2007

Bulgaria and Romania join the EU

2009

Treaty of Lisbon

2013

Croatia joins the EU

2020

Brexit: United Kingdom leaves the EU

2026

Bulgaria joins the Eurozone

What was the Schuman Declaration?

A proposal to place coal and steel production under common control.

Who proposed the Schuman Declaration?

Robert Schuman.

What did the Treaty of Paris create?

The ECSC.

What does ECSC stand for?

European Coal and Steel Community.

Which countries founded the ECSC?

France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg.

Why was the ECSC important?

It introduced shared sovereignty and economic cooperation.

What did the Treaty of Rome create?

The EEC and Euratom.

What does EEC stand for?

European Economic Community.

What does Euratom stand for?

European Atomic Energy Community.

What was the goal of the EEC?

Creating a common market.

What was the goal of Euratom?

Peaceful cooperation in nuclear energy.

What is a customs union?

A system without customs duties between members.

What did the Customs Union abolish?

Internal customs duties.

What did the Customs Union introduce?

Common Customs Tariffs.

What are EU own resources?

Revenue collected directly by the EU.

Examples of EU own resources?

Customs duties, agricultural levies, VAT contributions.

Which countries joined during the first enlargement?

UK, Ireland, Denmark.

Why did Norway reject EU membership?

Concerns about sovereignty and fishing resources.

What was the European Monetary System?

A system stabilizing European currencies.

What is the Schengen Agreement?

An agreement abolishing internal border controls.

What is the effect of Schengen?

Passport-free travel between participating countries.

Why did Greenland leave the European Communities?

Disagreements over fishing rights and resources.

What was the goal of the Single European Act?

Completion of the internal market.

Why was the fall of the Berlin Wall important?

It enabled Eastern European integration into Europe.

What did the Maastricht Treaty create?

The European Union.

What were the three Maastricht pillars?

European Communities, CFSP, Justice and Home Affairs.

What does CFSP stand for?

Common Foreign and Security Policy.

What did Maastricht introduce politically?

EU citizenship.

What did Maastricht introduce economically?

Economic and Monetary Union.

What legislative power increased under Maastricht?

The European Parliament through co-decision.

What are the Copenhagen criteria?

Rules countries must satisfy to join the EU.

What is the EEA?

European Economic Area.

What is the purpose of the EEA?

Extending the internal market beyond EU borders.

Which non-EU countries are part of the EEA?

Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein.

Which country rejected participation in the EEA?

Switzerland.

What changed when Schengen was implemented?

Border controls were removed between participating states.

What was the Treaty of Amsterdam about?

Immigration, asylum, and border control cooperation.

What does “Euro introduced electronically” mean?

The euro existed for banking and accounting before physical cash.

What is the Eurozone?

Countries using the euro as currency.

Which institution controls euro monetary policy?

The European Central Bank.

What is monetary policy?

Control of money supply and interest rates.

Why was the euro important?

It increased economic integration.

What was the purpose of the Treaty of Nice?

Preparing the EU for Eastern enlargement.

Why was the 2004 enlargement historic?

It integrated many former communist countries.

Which countries joined in 2004?

Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Malta.

What did the Lisbon Treaty abolish?

The pillar structure.

What did the Lisbon Treaty strengthen?

The European Parliament.

What voting system expanded under Lisbon?

Qualified majority voting.

Which positions were created by the Lisbon Treaty?

President of the European Council and High Representative.

What was the goal of the Lisbon Treaty?

Simplifying and modernizing the EU.

Why was Brexit historically important?

It was the first country to leave the EU.

What does joining the Eurozone mean?

Using the euro as official currency.

What are the two main sources of EU law?

Primary law and secondary law.

What forms primary EU law?

The Treaties.

What are the two main treaties?

TEU and TFEU.

What does TEU stand for?

Treaty on European Union.

What does TFEU stand for?

Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.