| |
| 1993, Jan. 1 |
| |
| A single European Market was established, instituting the free movement of goods, services, capital, and persons throughout the 12 member states. | 1 |
| |
| Jan |
| |
| The council and the secretariat of the WEU moved from Paris and London, respectively, to Brussels as the WEU continued to strengthen and develop specific relations with the European Union and NATO. | 2 |
| |
| July 23 |
| |
| The British Parliament voted to ratify the Maastricht Treaty of European Union, making Britain the last EC member to complete the voting process. | 3 |
| |
| Oct. 12 |
| |
| The German Federal Constitutional Court unanimously declared the Maastricht Treaty to be in conformity with the German Basic Law (constitution), whereupon President Richard von Weizsäcker signed it, officially making Germany the last nation to ratify the treaty despite overwhelming parliamentary approval in Dec. 1992. | 4 |
| |
| Nov. 1 |
| |
| The Maastricht Treaty of European Union entered into force. | 5 |
| |
| Nov. 8 |
| |
| The EC's Council of Ministers decided to call itself in future the Council of the European Union. This caused some confusion, since the EU had no “legal personality” and thus treaties with third parties could only be done formally in the name of the EC. Officially the Union embraced the EC (with its enhanced powers under the Maastricht Treaty) and the opportunity for foreign and security policy coordination and cooperation on issues of justice and domestic affairs. The council of 12 ministers conducted both EC and EU business, depending on subject matter. | 6 |
| |
| |
