Maastricht Treaty

7 February 1992 · Maastricht, Netherlands

Europe & world wars

Background

Built on the European Community, it added cooperation on foreign and security policy and on justice and home affairs, created EU citizenship, and set conditions for joining a single currency (the 'Maastricht criteria'). The euro was launched in 1999, with notes and coins in 2002.

Signed by

Twelve member states of the European Community

Why it matters

Created the European Union and set the path to a single currency, the euro.