European Union

European integration began on 9 May 1950, when France officially initiated European cooperation. The day is now celebrated as Europe Day. Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Italy and Luxembourg have been involved since the beginning.

Finland joined the European Union on 1 January 1995. At the same time Finland also joined the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), which reached its third stage, the introduction of a single currency, on 1 January 2002. From 1 January 2007 onwards, the European Union has 27 members.