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| Sunday, 15 December 2002 |
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US praises 'bold and historic' EU enlargement WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (AFP) - The United States on Friday heralded the European Union's decision to offer membership to 10 nations of Central Europe and the Mediterranean as "a bold and historic step" that bolsters US-EU relations. "The European Union's decision further unites the new and the established democracies of Europe, and advances the creation of a Europe whole, free and at peace," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said in a statement. To the popping of champagne corks, EU leaders agreed to expand the bloc from 15 to 25 members in May 2004, taking in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. "Today's action strengthens the enduring partnership between the United States and Europe. It also strengthens our common commitment to the values and interests that underlie our partnership - both within Europe's borders and beyond," said Fleischer. Turkey grudgingly accepted a delay to its own long-running membership drive as months of tough haggling culminated in the deal enabling the EU's biggest and most ambitious enlargement yet. The road to a united Europe COPENHAGEN, Dec 14 (AFP) - The European Union clinched the largest expansion in its history on Friday at a two-day summit which saw intense bargaining to take in much of the former Soviet bloc. Ten candidates were invited to join the club in May 2004 - Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia.Following are some of the key dates in the formation of the European Union: January 1949: France, Britain and the Benelux countries agree to set up the Council of Europe. They ask Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Norway and Switzerland to help them prepare the statute.April 1951: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands sign the Treaty of Paris establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), creating the foundation for a common market in the coal and steel industry. March 1957: ECSC members sign the Treaty of Rome establishing the European Economic Community (EEC), with the aim of gradually forming a common agricultural and industrial market. July 1967: The ECSC, EEC and the European Atomic Community (Euratom) merge under a single organisation, the European Community (EC). A customs union is established the following year. September 1972: Referendum on Norway joining the EC fails.January 1973: Britain, Denmark and Ireland become members of the EC. March 1979: European Monetary System enters into force, a first step towards a single European currency. January 1981: Greece becomes 10th member of the EC. January 1986: Spain and Portugal become EC members. April 1987: Turkey formally applies to join the EC. June 1993: Four years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Copenhagen summit establishes political and economic criteria for eastern and central European candidates to join the EC. November 1993: The Treaty of Maastricht transforming the EC into the European Union (EU) comes into force. November 1994: Norway again rejects referendum on joining EU.January 1995: Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU, which now includes 15 member states with a population of about 370 million, covering about 3.2 million square kilometres (1.2 million square miles). March 1995: Schengen agreement removing passport checks on EU borders comes into force. Britain and Ireland opt out. |
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