E UROPE AND ITS HISTORY T HE S TRUCTURE G ERMANY, F RANCE, I TALY, THE N ETHERLANDS, B ELGIUM, L UXEMBOURG Council of Europe was founded 9th May1950 official Day of Europe Common management of coal- and steel industries Coal and Steel Treaty 25th March 1957 Treaty of Rome; establishment of European Economic Community (EEC) Common agricultural policy The six countries abolish custom duties on goods imported from member states free cross-border trade first plan for a single currency three new member states: Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom European Regional Development Fund established EU citizens directly elect the members of the European Parliament for the first time New members: Greece Portugal ) Spain Erasmus-Programme was founded Treaty on European Union signed in Maastricht EU replaces EEC New member states: Austria, Finland and Sweden Schengen Agreement Euro introduced for commercial and financial transactions only (in 11 countries) Euro becomes official currency in 12 countries Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia become new member states new member states: Bulgaria and Rumania Lisbon Treaty becomes effective September 2008 closer economic ties because of financial crises 2010 new financial crises have to be combatted Thank you for your attention