Maastricht Treaty: Definition, Purpose, History, and Significance

What Is the Maastricht Treaty?

The Maastricht Treaty created the European Union (EU). It was signed in 1992 in the Dutch city of Maastricht and took effect in 1993. It fostered cooperation between 12 member nations, promoting unified citizenship, economic and social progress, and laying the foundation for the euro as a single currency. The treaty has been amended multiple times since its signing, and as of October 2021, the EU consists of 27 member states.

Key Takeaways

• The Maastricht Treaty established the European Union.
• It was signed in Maastricht in 1992 and took effect in 1993.
• The treaty fostered greater cooperation through economic, social, and legal channels.
• The Maastricht Treaty introduced the euro as the EU’s single currency.
• It has been amended between 1997 and 2009.

Understanding the Maastricht Treaty

The Maastricht Treaty was signed on Feb. 7, 1992, by representatives of 12 member nations of the European Community (EC) in Maastricht. These nations included Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom with Northern Ireland. The treaty officially took effect on Nov. 1, 1993.

The treaty aimed to increase cooperation by establishing European citizenship, allowing residents to freely move, live, and work across member states. It also created a shared economic, foreign policy, and security policy system. Additionally, member nations committed to collaborating on security and legal affairs.

The treaty set a timeline for the creation and implementation of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), which included a common economic and monetary union, a central banking system, and the introduction of the euro. The European Central Bank (ECB) was established in 1998, and the euro began circulation in 2002.

Furthermore, the treaty established criteria for countries seeking to join the euro, ensuring stability in inflation, public debt, interest rates, and exchange rates.

Nineteen countries currently use the euro as their official currency.

Special Considerations

The Maastricht Treaty has been amended several times:

• In 1997, the Treaty of Amsterdam expanded social protection provisions, including those related to asylum seekers, immigration, sex discrimination, and living and working conditions.
• The Treaty of Nice, effective since February 2003, reformed the Maastricht Treaty in preparation for new member states. It increased the autonomy of the Commission’s president and granted member states greater power to integrate policies, despite the need for national vetoes.
• The Treaty of Lisbon amended existing treaties, establishing an EU presidency, strengthening the union’s foreign policy representation, and transferring power to the judiciary, parliament, and commission. It took effect in December 2009 following votes in member countries over two years.

The United Kingdom formally withdrew from the European Union on Jan. 31, 2020, following a referendum known as Brexit.

Effects of the Maastricht Treaty

The treaty granted EU citizenship to all citizens of member states, allowing them to participate in local office and European Parliament elections in their country of residence, regardless of nationality.

Through the establishment of a common economic and monetary union, the treaty created the current central banking system. The European Central Bank (ECB) aims to maintain price stability and safeguard the value of the euro. This process began with the free movement of capital between member states, leading to increased cooperation between national central banks and alignment of economic policies. The final step was the introduction of the euro.

Furthermore, the treaty aimed to enhance policy cooperation and coordination in various areas such as the environment, policing, and social policy.