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1987
Belgium takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Communities.
The Council modifies its internal regulations as far as the triggering of the voting procedure is concerned. Besides opening a voting procedure on its own initiative, the President of the Council must open it upon initiative of a Member of the Council or the Commission, provided that the majority of the Members of the Council agree. -
1988
A ministerial meeting between the Community, its Member States and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states is held in Brussels, Belgium, to discuss the internal market.
The European Council adopts a decision establishing a Court of First Instance of the European Communities. -
1989
Cowan ruling. The European Court of Justice rules on the principle of non-discrimination based on nationality. It grants the same compensation benefits to a British tourist who was attacked in the Paris tube, as the one that would have been granted to a national. -
1990
GB-Inno-BM ruling. The European Court of Justice declares that a national legislation refusing access to any advertisement that is legally available in the country of purchase, is contrary to the "freedom of movement of goods" principle. -
1991
Opening of the 7th ministerial conference between the Community and its Member States and Central American Countries plus the cooperating countries Panamá, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela, in Managua, Nicaragua. The conference is centered on political dialogue and economic cooperation (San José VII). -
1992
A European Council is held in Lisbon, Portugal. It underlines the importance of respecting the timetable for the ratification of the Treaty on the European Union. -
1993
The delegations of the states participating in the Uruguay Round (GATT) negotiations sign an agreement in Geneva opening way for most extensive liberalisation in history of world trade. -
1994
The Council decides on joint action under common foreign and security policy in support of the Middle East peace process.
The Parliament and the Council adopt the fourth framework programme on research, development and demonstration (1994-1998). -
1995
Following the Parliament's vote of approval on 18 January, the representatives of the governments of the Member States appoint the President and Members of the European Commission for a five-year term. -
1996
The 15 European Union Member States sign a convention on extradition and a protocol on protection of the European Union's financial interests. The Council adopts the corresponding acts. -
1997
The European Commission and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) adopt a joint statement establishing regular political dialogue and sign an Euro-Mediterranean interim association agreement for five years. -
1998
Greenpeace ruling. The European Court of Justice specifies under which conditions individuals, or the associations representing them, are qualified to request the annulment of a decision taken by the Commission. -
1999
The Council approves a joint action providing support for the reception and voluntary repatriation of refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers, including those who have fled from Kosovo. The Council adopts a decision which enables the European Court of First Instance, in certain circumstances, to give decisions when constituted by a single judge in cases coming under its jurisdiction. -
2000
The 9th EU-Japan Summit is held in in Tokyo, Japan. Discussions are centered on the strengthening of overall Japan-EU relations, including economic and trade relations, Japan-EU co-operation in international fora, including the G8 Summit, the United Nations and ASEM, and the international situation, including the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East Peace Process and Kosovo/South-East Europe. -
2001
A Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement is signed with Egypt. -
2002
The EU and Algeria sign an Association Agreement in Valencia, Spain. -
2003
An EU-US summit is held in Washington DC. The European Union and the United States decide to cooperate in their fight against terrorism and arms proliferation. They decide to share information on suspect bank accounts, and to set up joint investigation teams. -
2004
The European Commission opens a new Liaison Office in Pristina, Kosovo. -
2005
Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), signs an Agreement with the Moroccan Ambassador Menouar ALEM on the participation of the Kingdom of Morocco in Operation Althea, the European Union military crisis management operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Association Agreement between the European Union and Croatia enters into force today. -
2006
A Green Paper on the European transparency initiative is adopted by the Commission, launching a debate on lobbying and on the introduction of legal obligations for Member States to publish the information about the beneficiaries of funds under shared management, as well as on the Commission’s consultation practices. -
2007
Commissioner Dimas presents European Mobility Week awards to the cities of Léon, Budapest and Bologna.
Today marks the 15th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on European Union, commonly known as the Maastricht Treaty, which was signed on 7 February 1992 by the then 12 members of the EU. -
2008
EU approves the launch of a military operation in eastern Chad and north eastern Central African Republic – "EUFOR Tchad/RCA" within the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), and in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1778 (2007). -
2009
Sweden takes over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second time. Presidency priorities are economic recovery and climate change. -
2010
At an informal meeting in Brussels, Heads of state and government agree to support the Greek government in its efforts to meet the Stability Programme targets for 2010. President Barroso presents his priorities for the EUROPE 2020 strategy, outlining how the EU should chart its way out of the crisis while building a new economic model. -
2011
Hungary takes over the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. Its programme focuses on four priority areas: inclusive growth and employment; stronger food, energy and water policies; a citizen-friendly Union; and enlargement and neighbourhood policy. -
2012
Euro area finance ministers agree on the terms of a second programme to secure Greece's future in the euro area. The deal includes an understanding with private sector creditors on their Greek debts and enhanced surveillance. -
2013
The Council reaches political agreement on recommending a 'Youth Guarantee' scheme for the under 25-year olds. This will ensure that they are offered employment, training, further education or an apprenticeship within four months of leaving school or of becoming unemployed. -
2014
The European Parliament elects Jean-Claude Juncker as the next President of the European Commission. -
2015
A terrorist attack on the satirical magazine 'Charlie Hebdo' in Paris leads to demonstrations all over Europe in support of freedom of expression, as well as new initiatives at European level to fight terrorism. -
2016
A double terrorist attack in Brussels leaves more than 30 people dead and over 300 injured. In a statement, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker calls for the EU to “face the terrorist threat together, and to bring European solutions to questions that concern us all.” -
2017
For the first time, Malta takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Its programme identifies its priorities as migration, security, social inclusion, the single market and Europe's neighbourhood and maritime policies.
