---
title: "Maastricht Treaty Establishes European Union"
year: 1992
country: "Netherlands"
canonical: "https://recap.at/1992/maastricht-treaty-eu"
slug: "maastricht-treaty-eu"
recapType: "global_event"
startDate: "1992-02-07"
---

# Maastricht Treaty Establishes European Union

> The treaty transformed the European Economic Community into a union with political and monetary ambitions.

## Summary

The Treaty on European Union, commonly known as the Maastricht Treaty, is the foundation treaty of the European Union (EU). Concluded in 1992 between the then-twelve member states of the European Communities, it announced "a new stage in the process of European integration" chiefly in provisions for a shared European citizenship, for the eventual introduction of a single currency, and for common foreign and security policies, and a number of changes to the European institutions and their decision-making procedures, not least a strengthening of the powers of the European Parliament and more majority voting on the Council of Ministers. Although these were seen by many to presage a "federal Europe", key areas remained inter-governmental with national governments collectively taking key decisions. This constitutional debate continued through the negotiation of subsequent treaties, culminating in the 2007 Treaty of Lisbon.

## Sources

- [Maastricht Treaty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maastricht_Treaty) - Wikipedia

---
Canonical: https://recap.at/1992/maastricht-treaty-eu