EU History 2008 - heute

Question 1

Food Quality labels

Answer 1

Food Quality labels
26 February 2008

The European Court of Justice rules that only cheese bearing the Protected Designation of Origin ‘Parmigiano Reggiano’ can be sold under the name ‘Parmesan’. The EU’s quality logos help to protect and promote products with particular characteristics linked to their geographical origin as well as traditional products. More than 3 000 products are currently registered under the various schemes.

Question 2

European Commission launches European Green Capital Award

Answer 2

European Commission launches European Green Capital Award
22 May 2008

To recognise the efforts of local authorities and their communities to promote sustainability and lead the development of high environmental standards, the European Commission launches the European Green Capital Award (EGCA). It is open to all cities with over 100,000 inhabitants and the first award will be given in 2010.

Question 3

A new economic crisis

Answer 3

A new economic crisis
7 September 2008

A major financial crisis hits the world economy, triggering a recession. The initial spark was problems with mortgage loans in the US, and several European banks also experience difficulties. The recession that follows is a global one and the EU economy takes a big hit. The crisis necessitated closer economic cooperation between EU countries.

Question 4

Montenegro applies to join the EU

Answer 4

Montenegro applies to join the EU
15 December 2008

Question 5

Treaty of Lisbon enters into force

Answer 5

Treaty of Lisbon
1 December 2009

The Treaty of Lisbon, which was signed in the Portuguese capital on 13 December 2007, becomes law. Its aim is to make the EU more democratic, more efficient and better able to address global problems, such as climate change, with one voice. It also provides a formal procedure to be followed by Member States wishing to leave the European Union, known as Article 50.

Question 6

Serbia applies to join the EU

Answer 6

Serbia applies to join the EU
22 December 2009

Question 7

Arab Spring

Answer 7

Arab Spring
17 December 2010

Protests break out in Tunisia, bringing down the government and marking the start of the so-called ‘Arab Spring’, raising hopes for a more democratic future for the Arab world. Unrest spreads to several other countries in the region. The Union for the Mediterranean, which brings together all EU Member States and several countries from the southern and eastern Mediterranean, plays an important role in bringing stability and peace to the Mediterranean region.

Question 8

Estonia joins the Eurozone

Answer 8

Estonia joins the Eurozone
1 January 2011

On 1 January 2011, Estonia becomes the 17th country to officially adopt the euro currency, which replaces the Estonian kroon.

Question 9

Pro-democracy protests in Syria

Answer 9

Pro-democracy protests in Syria
15 March 2011

Pro-democracy protests erupt in Syria. After security forces open fire on demonstrators, violence escalates and anti-government brigades are formed to confront the state security forces. A civil war begins that will dominate world politics for many years to come and results in many people fleeing their homes and seeking refuge across the world, including in Europe.

Question 10

European Citizens’ Initiative

Answer 10

European Citizens’ Initiative
1 April 2012

Europeans get a greater say in the policies that affect their lives thanks to a new initiative that gives them the possibility to propose the creation of a law to the European Commission. Once an initiative gathers 1 million signatures, the Commission decides on what follow-up action to take. The first-ever European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Right2Water
’, which gathered 1.6 million signatures, led to a proposal for new rules on drinking water. Depending on the country, the minimum age for supporting an initiative can be 16 years old.

Question 11

Croatia joins the EU

Answer 11

Croatia joins the EU
1 July 2013

Croatia becomes the 28th member of the European Union. The EU now has 24 official languages.

Question 12

A third gender

Answer 12

A third gender
1 November 2013

Germany becomes the first European country to recognise a third gender for parents filling out birth certificates for babies born with characteristics of both sexes.

Question 13

Fighting climate change 2013

Answer 13

Fighting climate change
19 November 2013

The EU decides to commit to spending at least 20 % of the entire EU budget for 2014- 2020 — as much as EUR 180 billion — on climate-related projects and policies, marking a major step forward in transforming Europe into a clean and competitive low-carbon economy. The EU is thought to be the first region in the world to integrate climate action into its whole budget.

Question 14

European Aid to the Most Deprived

Answer 14

European Aid to the Most Deprived
1 January 2014

The Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived is established to support the most disadvantaged groups in society, by providing food, basic goods such as clothing, footwear and toiletries, or by organising social inclusion activities.

Question 15

Federica Mogherini

Answer 15

Federica Mogherini
1 November 2014

Italian politician Federica Mogherini is appointed as head of the EU’s foreign policy. She is also a Vice-President of the European Commission. Her work involves strengthening the EU’s voice on the world stage.

Question 16

Investment Plan for Europe
26 November 2014

Answer 16

Investment Plan for Europe
26 November 2014

The EU launches a EUR 315 billion Investment Plan for Europe
to kick-start the European economy. It aims to get Europe growing again and get more people back to work. From affordable housing in Poland to cancer research in Austria and food production in Greece, the investment plan is boosting jobs and growth throughout Europe. The plan was originally meant to last for 3 years but it has been so successful that it has been extended until 2020.

Question 17

Lithuania adopts the euro

Answer 17

Lithuania adopts the euro
1 January 2015

Lithuania becomes the 19th EU Member State to adopt the euro. Some 340 million Europeans now share the same currency.

Question 18

European Green Leaf award

Answer 18

European Green Leaf award
1 June 2015

The European Green Capital Award expands its reach with the launch of the European Green Leaf (EGL) award. The first winners of the award are Torres Vedras, a Portuguese municipality in the district of Lisbon, and the Spanish city of Mollet del Vallès. The EGL recognises towns and small cities with a population of at least 20,000 inhabitants for their efforts to deliver a more sustainable future.

Question 19

Paris attacks and consequences

Answer 19

Tougher border security measures
13 November 2015

130 people are killed in a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris. Shortly afterwards, EU ministers agree on tougher border security measures around the passport-free Schengen area.

Question 20

Asylum seekers arrive in Europe 2015

Answer 20

Asylum seekers arrive in Europe
1 December 2015

Around one million asylum seekers arrive in Europe in 2015, many fleeing civil war in Syria and in need of international protection. EU leaders step up efforts to strengthen external border controls and encourage legal and safe routes to entry.

Question 21

Paris 2015

Answer 21

International climate change deal
12 December 2015

At a United Nations climate conference in Paris, leaders of 195 countries, including all EU Member States individually and the EU as a whole, agree a new deal requiring action by all countries to avoid the most catastrophic consequences of global warming.

Question 22

Brexit Referendum

Answer 22

Brexit Referendum
23 June 2016

In a referendum in the United Kingdom, a majority of 52 % vote for the country to leave the European Union.

Question 23

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
CETA

Answer 23

EU/Canada trade agreement
30 October 2016

EU and Canadian leaders sign a trade deal that will make it easier to export goods and services — to the benefit of people and businesses in both the EU and Canada.

Question 24

European Solidarity Corps

Answer 24

European Solidarity Corps
7 December 2016

The European Commission launches the European Solidarity Corps, giving 18-30 year-olds the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities for shared community and support, either by volunteering or taking up job placements.

Question 25

Europa building

Answer 25

Europa building
16 January 2017

The first meeting in the newly built home for the European Council and the Council of the European Union, the Europa building takes place on 16 January 2017, when the EU’s foreign ministers came together to discuss the prospects for the Middle East peace process.

Question 26

The future of Europe

Answer 26

The future of Europe
1 March 2017

The European Commission launches a debate on the future of Europe, enabling citizens and leaders across Europe to give their opinions on the best way forward for the EU. Members of the Commission have been travelling across Europe and listening to citizens’ views on the different scenarios put forward, giving everyone a chance to contribute to shaping the Union.

Question 27

60th anniversary of the EU

Answer 27

60th anniversary of the EU
25 March 2017

In Rome, 27 EU leaders gather to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome, which paved the way for a Union of peace, solidarity and democracy.

Question 28

End of roaming charges

Answer 28

End of roaming charges!
15 June 2017

Roaming charges for using mobile phones abroad are scrapped. From this date onwards, when you travel within the EU you can call, text and connect to the internet on your mobile devices for the same price as you pay at home.

Question 29

European Pillar of Social Rights

Answer 29

New social rights for EU citizens
17 November 2017

The ‘European Pillar of Social Rights’ is signed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission in Gothenburg, Sweden. It aims to deliver better living and working conditions for Europeans, including fair wages and a better work-life balance for parents and people with caring responsibilities.

Question 30

Western Balkans and the EU

Answer 30

Western Balkans and the EU
6 February 2018

The EU announces plans for six countries in the Western Balkans to potentially join the EU after 2025, with Montenegro and Serbia likely to be the first.

Question 31

New data protection rules

Answer 31

New data protection rules
25 May 2018

New data protection rules
mean that your personal information is protected — no matter where it is sent, processed or stored, even outside the EU. You now have the ‘right to be forgotten’ or to know when your data has been hacked. The privacy-friendly default settings become the ‘norm’ on your social networks or mobile apps.

Question 32

Japan-EU Free Trade Agreement
(Economic Partnership Agreement)
EPA

Answer 32

EU-Japan trade deal
17 July 2018

The EU and Japan sign a landmark trade deal, bringing many benefits for both sides: for example, Japanese products in shops become cheaper and it will be easier for EU businesses to sell their goods and services in Japan.

Question 33

EU strategy for young people 2019-2027

Answer 33

EU strategy for young people 2019-2027
26 November 2018

The EU agrees on a new EU youth strategy for the period 2019-2027. Its aim is to bring the EU closer to young people and to help address issues of concern to them. It will focus for instance on encouraging young people to participate in civic and democratic life; promoting volunteering and opportunities to learn abroad; solidarity and intercultural understanding; and supporting youth empowerment by boosting innovation.

Question 34

No more geoblocking: easier online shopping

Answer 34

No more geoblocking: easier online shopping
3 December 2018

Have you heard of geo-blocking
? It’s the system used to limit your access to the internet, based on your geographic location. However, it is now no longer permitted in any EU country. Wherever you are in the EU, you should be able to access goods and services online, compare parcel delivery costs more easily and benefit from more affordable prices for cross-border parcel deliveries.

Question 35

David Sassoli

Answer 35

New President for Parliament
3 July 2019

Members of the European Parliament elect David Sassoli to lead the European Parliament until January 2022.

Question 36

Ursula von der Leyen

Answer 36

First woman to head the European Commission
16 July 2019, re-elected 18 July 2024

The European Parliament elects Ursula von der Leyen as the 2019-2024 President of the European Commission – the first woman ever to hold the position.

As well as being a politician, Ursula von der Leyen is a qualified doctor and has seven children.

Question 37

rescEU

Answer 37

In 2019, the EU upgraded the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and created rescEU. The aim was to protect citizens from disasters and manage emerging risks.

Fully financed by the EU, rescEU strengthens European preparedness for disasters and boosts the capacity to respond to crises in Europe. Such as wildfires, medical emergencies, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents, shelter needs, emergency transportation, and electricity supplies.

The rapid deployment of rescEU has played a pivotal role in addressing unforeseen emergencies, from forest fires to COVID-19, also including earthquakes in Türkiye and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Question 38

DiscoverEU

Answer 38

DiscoverEU(rope) while travelling
7 November 2019

One of the best ways to discover our unique Union is travelling, and now 20.000 new free travel passes will make that easier for 18 year old Europeans. Not just a memorable journey but an entire experience with meet-ups, events and a lot of sharing along the way, which lets participants deep dive into the European cultural heritage and develop their own knowledge and skills.

Question 39

EU Green Deal

Answer 39

EU Green Deal
11 December 2019

Today the European Commission presented the European Green Deal. Its 50 actions for 2050 push for a nature-friendly and climate-neutral Europe. It aims at making our food healthier, our economies stronger and our societies more just and fair.

Question 40

NextGenEU

Answer 40

NextGenEU
1 January 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses lose revenue and people become unemployed. NextGenerationEU
is an economic recovery plan, which provides an extra €800 billion to EU countries. It aims to help them repair the immediate economic and social damage brought about by the coronavirus pandemic with a view to making Europe greener, more digital, more resilient and better fit for the current and forthcoming challenges

Question 41

Brexit

Answer 41

Brexit - UK leaves the EU
31 January 2020

Having been an EU Member State since 1973, the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, following the 2016 referendum result. The so-called “Brexit agreement”, jointly approved by the European and the British Parliaments, now provides for a negotiation period that will redefine the relationship between the EU and the UK in many areas, including trade, education, defence and employment, with a substantial impact on both European and British citizens.

Question 42

EU and Vietnam

Answer 42

Closer ties between the EU and Vietnam
12 February 2020

The European Parliament approves a new trade agreement between the EU and Vietnam. It is one of the most ambitious agreements between the EU and a developing country and also includes measures to protect the climate as well as rules on workers’ and human rights.

Question 43

1st Covid lockdown

Answer 43

Schools shut as Covid-19 hits Europe
March 2020

Schools, museums, restaurants and leisure centres close and major sporting events are cancelled across the EU as a new flu-like illness, called Covid-19, takes hold in Europe. All EU countries report cases of people infected with the disease, which was first detected in China at the end of 2019 and quickly spread to other parts of the world. Everyone is asked to take simple precautions, such as regularly washing their hands, as the EU takes action on all fronts to tackle the outbreak.

Question 44

First COVID-19 vaccine

Answer 44

First COVID-19 vaccine
21 December 2020

The European Medicines Agency authorises the first COVID-19 vaccine. The scientific breakthrough comes less than a year after the World Health Organisation declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. EU Member States begin their vaccination campaigns six days later, on 27 December. The elderly and people working in healthcare are the first to be vaccinated. But soon there will be enough vaccines for the entire EU population.

Question 45

The United Kingdom’s Brexit transition period is officially completed

Answer 45

Brexit: new beginnings for the UK and the EU
1 January 2021

The United Kingdom’s Brexit transition period is officially completed and it fully leaves the European Union after 47 years of membership. The UK no longer has the obligations, rights and benefits that it had as an EU Member State. The EU and the UK reached an agreement on their future relationship after four years of negotiations that followed the UK referendum in 2016. As a result of the deal, the EU and the UK will continue to trade without extra taxes, but there will be more paperwork and other checks than before. The agreement confirmed that the UK will no longer take part in the Erasmus+ exchange scheme for students.

Question 46

New Erasmus+ 2021

Answer 46

New Erasmus+
25 March 2021

The New Erasmus+ 2021-2027 enters into force. With nearly double the previous budget, the programme will benefit 10 million people of all ages and backgrounds in Europe and beyond, to gain different experiences in another country. This programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.
Erasmus+ offers mobility and cooperation opportunities in
* higher education
* vocational education and training
* school education (including early childhood education and care)
* adult education
* youth
* and sport

Question 47

Single-use plastic ends

Answer 47

Single-use plastic ends
3 July 2021

Single-use plastic plates, cutlery, straws, cotton buds – all these items and many more are no longer allowed to be sold in the EU, thanks to the Single-use plastics directive.
The measure also applies to cups, food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene, and oxo-degradable plastics.

These single-use items are commonly found thrown away in nature and on beaches and are very harmful for the environment. Did you know that more than 80% of marine litter is plastic? This new EU law will make it possible to cut this ocean littering by 50%, while preventing CO2 emissions of 3.4 million tonnes per year!

Question 48

Roberta Metsola

Answer 48

Roberta Metsola becomes President of the European Parliament
18 January 2022

Following the death of David Sassoli, Roberta Metsola is elected President of the European Parliament for a two-and-a-half-year term.

She is the third woman, the first Maltese, and the youngest person to hold the office of president.

Question 49

European Year of Youth 2022

Answer 49

European Year of Youth 2022
22 January 2022

2022 is the European Year of Youth! A perfect opportunity to highlight the European youth’s important role in shaping a greener, more inclusive and digital future. Share your vision, engage in activities around Europe and find out what the year has in store for you on the EYY website!

Question 50

New candidate countries 2022

Answer 50

New candidate countries
23 June 2022

During a summit, EU leaders grant EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova bringing the number of recognised candidates for membership of the European Union to seven (Albania, Moldova, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine).

Question 51

EU-New Zealand free trade agreement

Answer 51

EU-New Zealand free trade agreement
30 June 2022 signed

The trade agreement between the European Union and New Zealand entered into force on 1 May 2024.

Bilateral trade in goods between the two partners has risen steadily in recent years, reaching almost €9.1 bn in 2022.

The EU is New Zealand’s third-biggest trading partner.

According to an impact assessment on the FTA, trade between New Zealand and the EU is expected to increase by 30%, with removing tariffs alone saving businesses €140 million in duties per year. Moreover, EU investment flows into New Zealand could increase by over 80%.

The agreement:

Creates significant economic opportunities for companies, farmers and consumers;
Respects the Paris Climate Agreement and core labour rights, enforceable through trade sanctions as a last resort, and:
Cements EU ties with a like-minded ally in the economically dynamic Indo-Pacific region.

Question 52

European year of skills

Answer 52

European year of skills begins (12 months)
9 May 2023

Today sees the start of the European Year of Skills which aims to boost and diversify the skills of citizens throughout Europe. The project has a particular focus on digital and green technology. Events and initiatives aimed at engaging citizens begin today!

Question 52

Croatia joins the euro area

Answer 52

Croatia joins the euro area
1 January 2023

Croatia is the 20th country to join the euro area, replacing the kuna with the euro as its currency.

In order to be part of the euro area, a country has to fulfill a set of economic conditions, which include having a stable exchange rate and a low inflation rate.

Seven EU countries still use their national currencies: Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Sweden.

Question 53

Jacques Delors

Answer 53

Jacques Delors dies
27 December 2023

Jacques Delors was President of the European Commission from 1985 to 1995. He is considered to be one of its most impactful leaders. He launched the single market, enabling free movement of people, money, goods, and services across Europe. He also supervised the introduction of the Erasmus Programme to help students and university teachers move among EU countries in 1987. Furthermore, he began the efforts that lead to the Maastricht Treaty and the creation of the euro currency.