The road to the European Union
1990: Tadeusz Mazowiecki, the first non-Communist prime minister since WWII, calls EEC membership a "strategic priority" for the country.
Dec. 16, 1991: the European Treaty is signed, giving the country 'associate member' status in the EEC (to come into force on Feb. 1, 1994).
June 1993: EEC sets political and economic criteria for membership, also known as the Copenhagen criteria.
April 8, 1994: membership application filed.
Sept. 12, 1996: Jacques Chirac tells the Polish Parliament he wants Polish membership by 2000 to a standing ovation from deputies.
Oct. 2, 1997: EU members approve the Amsterdam Treaty, putting in motion necessary reforms prior to enlargement.
Dec. 13, 1997: Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Slovenia and Cyprus invited to start negotiations.
March 31, 1998: enlargement negotiations begin.
Dec. 7-12, 2000: Nice summit agrees on institutional reforms to prepare for enlargement.
June 15-16, 2001:
EU leaders agree that the countries deemed ready can finalize negotiations by the end of 2002 and enter the Union on Jan. 1, 2004.
Oct. 24-25, 2002: EU leaders agree on Dec. 2003 closing date for accession treaty negotiations.
Nov. 18, 2002: enlargement date moved to May 1, 2004.
Dec. 13, 2002: 22nd anniversary of martial law; Prime Minister Leszek Miller announces the accession negotiations finalized at the Copenhagen summit.
March 7, 2003: Polish-language version of the treaty presented to the public.
April 8, 2003: government formally signs accession treaty.
April 9, 2003: European Parliament approves Polish membership.
June 7-8, 2003: Poles approve accession in a referendum. 77 percent vote yes with a 59 percent turnout.
May 1, 2004: Poland becomes one of the 25 members of the European Union.
Source: based on Ministry of Finance materials
Dec. 16, 1991: the European Treaty is signed, giving the country 'associate member' status in the EEC (to come into force on Feb. 1, 1994).
June 1993: EEC sets political and economic criteria for membership, also known as the Copenhagen criteria.
April 8, 1994: membership application filed.
Sept. 12, 1996: Jacques Chirac tells the Polish Parliament he wants Polish membership by 2000 to a standing ovation from deputies.
Oct. 2, 1997: EU members approve the Amsterdam Treaty, putting in motion necessary reforms prior to enlargement.
Dec. 13, 1997: Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Slovenia and Cyprus invited to start negotiations.
March 31, 1998: enlargement negotiations begin.
Dec. 7-12, 2000: Nice summit agrees on institutional reforms to prepare for enlargement.
June 15-16, 2001:
EU leaders agree that the countries deemed ready can finalize negotiations by the end of 2002 and enter the Union on Jan. 1, 2004.
Oct. 24-25, 2002: EU leaders agree on Dec. 2003 closing date for accession treaty negotiations.
Nov. 18, 2002: enlargement date moved to May 1, 2004.
Dec. 13, 2002: 22nd anniversary of martial law; Prime Minister Leszek Miller announces the accession negotiations finalized at the Copenhagen summit.
March 7, 2003: Polish-language version of the treaty presented to the public.
April 8, 2003: government formally signs accession treaty.
April 9, 2003: European Parliament approves Polish membership.
June 7-8, 2003: Poles approve accession in a referendum. 77 percent vote yes with a 59 percent turnout.
May 1, 2004: Poland becomes one of the 25 members of the European Union.
Source: based on Ministry of Finance materials
