2003 in the European Union explained

Events from the year 2003 in the European Union.

The year was designated the European Year of People with Disabilities by the Council of Europe.^[1]

Incumbents

• Commission President – Romano Prodi
• Council Presidency – Greece (January–June) and Italy (July–December)
• Parliament President – Pat Cox, ELDR Party
• High Representative – Javier Solana, Socialists

Events

January

• 1 January - Greece takes over the Presidency of the European Union.

February

• 1 February - The Treaty of Nice enters into force.^[2]

March

• 8 March - In the first of many referendums held across Europe this year, the electorate of Malta votes to join the European Union.^[3]
• 23 March - The electorate of Slovenia votes to join the European Union.^[4]

April

• 9 April - The European Parliament approves the accession of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, who are expected to join the EU the following year subject to the result of national referendums.
• 12 April - Amid a lower than expected turnout, the electorate of Hungary votes to join the European Union.^[5]
• 16 April - The Treaty of Accession 2003 is signed in Athens by the 15 current member nations of the European Union and Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. At 4,900 pages, it is the longest treaty in EU history.^[6]

May

• 11 May - The electorate of Lithuania votes to join the European Union, becoming the first former Soviet republic to do so.^[7]
• 17 May - The electorate of Slovakia votes by a wide margin to join the European Union.^[8]

June

• 8 June - The electorate of Poland votes to join the European Union.^[9]
• 14 June - The electorate of the Czech Republic votes to join the European Union.^[10]

July

• 1 July - Italy takes over the Presidency of the European Union.

September

• 14 September -
  • In a referendum, the electorate of Sweden votes to reject membership of the eurozone.^[11]
  • The electorate of Estonia votes to join the European Union.^[12]

October

• 4 October - An Intergovernmental Conference convenes in Rome to finalise the European Constitution.

Notes and References

1. Web site: European Year of People with Disabilities 2003. europa.eu. European Union. 31 January 2006. 16 January 2014.
2. News: Landmark EU treaty comes into effect. BBC News. BBC. Chris. Morris. 1 February 2003. 23 November 2013.
3. News: Malta flags assent to EU enlargement. The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Ian. Black. 10 March 2003. 23 November 2013.
4. News: Landslide for EU membership in Slovenian referendum. The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. London. Evans-Pritchard. Ambrose. 24 March 2003. 23 November 2013.
5. News: Hungary's EU apathy. BBC News. BBC. Gabriel. Partos. 14 April 2003. 23 November 2013.
6. Web site: Q&A: EU accession treaty. BBC News. BBC. Oana. Lungescu. 16 April 2003. 23 November 2013.
7. News: Lithuanians celebrate outcome of EU vote. USA Today. Gannett Company. 12 May 2003. 23 November 2013.
8. News: Slovaks say 'Yes' to EU. BBC News. BBC. 18 May 2003. 23 November 2013.
9. News: Poland says big Yes to EU. BBC News. BBC. 9 June 2003. 23 November 2013.
10. News: Czechs say Yes to EU entry. BBC News. BBC. 14 June 2003. 23 November 2013.
11. News: In a Referendum, Swedes Resoundingly Reject the Euro. The New York Times. Alan. Cowell. 15 September 2003. 23 November 2013.
12. News: Estonia approves EU entry. BBC News. BBC. 14 September 2003. 23 November 2013.