Maastrichtavtalet

The Maastricht Treaty, officially known as the Treaty on European Union, was signed on February 7, 1992, in Maastricht, Netherlands, by the 12 member states of the European Communities. It marked a significant step in the process of European integration, leading to the establishment of the European Union (EU). The treaty entered into force on November 1, 1993.

Key provisions of the Maastricht Treaty included the introduction of a three-pillar structure for the EU. The first pillar involved the continuation and development of the European Communities, covering economic and monetary union (EMU), the single market, and various community policies. The second pillar established a common foreign and security policy (CFSP), aiming to enhance cooperation in international relations. The third pillar focused on cooperation in justice and home affairs (JHA), addressing issues such as immigration, asylum, and combating crime.

The treaty also laid down the convergence criteria that member states had to meet to adopt the euro as their single currency, a crucial element of EMU. These criteria related to inflation rates, government debt, budget deficits, and exchange rate stability. Furthermore, the Maastricht Treaty introduced the concept of European citizenship, granting citizens of member states additional rights and freedoms, such as the right to vote and stand as a candidate in local and European Parliament elections in their country of residence. The treaty was a landmark agreement that fundamentally reshaped the European political and economic landscape.

---