European Union, decades of evolution
What was to become the European Union was founded in 1957 in a bid to secure peace on a continent torn apart by war for centuries.
Driven by former foes France and Germany, the bloc has gone from achievement to achievement, through a series of treaty upgrades, landmark projects and membership expansions.
However, its history has also been dotted by crises which have thrown doubts over its very future, including Britain’s departure in 2020.
This story, published by Agence France-Presse on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the European bloc's founding Treaty of Rome, gives a broad overview.
BRUSSELS, March 21, 2017 (AFP) - From the Treaty of Rome to the migration crisis and Brexit, here is a look at 60 years of ups and downs in the European Union.
- Birth of contemporary Europe -
On May 9, 1950, just five years after the end of World War II, French foreign minister Robert Schuman unveils proposals for an economic union between France and West Germany, drawing from the ideas of political advisor and economist Jean Monnet.
A year later six countries -- Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and The Netherlands -- establish the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
On March 25, 1957 the Treaty of Rome establishes the European Economic Community (EEC, or Common Market). It takes effect a year later, establishing key European institutions: the Council of Ministers, the executive European Commission and the Parliamentary Assembly, which later becomes the European Parliament, to which the first elections by direct universal suffrage take place in 1979.
- Expansion -
François Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl in Verdun in 1984 - Marcel Mochet - AFP
On January 1, 1973 Britain, Denmark and Ireland join the EEC, followed by Greece in 1981, Portugal and Spain in 1986, and Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995.
On February 7, 1992 the Maastricht Treaty is signed, laying the foundation for a single European currency. In January 1993 a single market allowing the free movement of goods, services, people and capital becomes reality. On November 1, 1993 the EEC becomes the European Union.
Euro banknotes and coins go into circulation in 12 countries on January 1, 2002, replacing national currencies such as the deutschmark, franc, lira and peseta.
Britain, Denmark and Sweden, however, decide to keep their national currencies.
On May 1, 2004 the EU swells to 25 members from 15, taking in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Bulgaria and Romania join in 2007, and Croatia becomes the 28th member in 2013.
- Crises -
Storm clouds gather in the spring of 2005 as French voters reject a draft European constitution proposed by the Treaty of Lisbon, followed three days later by Dutch voters.
Shocked European leaders manage to get the treaty ratified in 2009, with provisions designed to improve the functioning of the enlarged EU institutions.
In November 2009 Athens reveals a sharp rise in its public deficit, unleashing a financial crisis across the eurozone.
First Greece, then Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus seek aid from the EU and the International Monetary Fund, which demand strict fiscal discipline in return. Several heads of government fall as austerity measures provoke a popular backlash.
Just as it begins to emerge from the financial crisis, Europe is hit by its most serious migration crisis since the end of World War II, and EU leaders fail to work out a joint action plan.
In September 2015 Germany, which had until then had been welcoming refugees, restores border controls, a move quickly followed by Austria, Slovakia and other countries.
The latest crisis came on June 23, 2016 when Britons voted 52 percent to 48 percent in favour of quitting the EU, putting itself on course to become the first country to quit the bloc.