Tony Blair:
"If we want to reconnect people in Europe with the idea of the European Union, we have got to set a clear political direction."
- 2005 Presidencies overview
- G8 Presidency
- China and India summits
- Hampton Court informal summit
- EU Budget deal
Who’s who in the EU?
The European Union was established to ensure peace and stability across the continent, and to make it easier for member countries to trade with each other.
There were 15 members of the EU before 1 May 2004: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
Another ten then became full members: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Bulgaria and Romania hope to join in 2007.
Key links
- FCO’s European Union Presidency website (opens in new window)
- FCO’s EU Presidency overview (opens in new window)
- European Union (opens in new window)
Key documents
- PM’s October address to the European Parliament
- PM’s statement on European Council meeting (opens in new window)
- PM’s June address to the European Parliament
- EU Presidency press conference
News stories from 2005
- 20 December - EU enlargement is “nothing to fear” - PM
- 19 December - Latest European finance deal "essential", says PM
- 17 December - "Now Europe can move forward" says PM
- 15 December - PM arrives at important EU summit
- 14 December - UK reveals revised European finance deal
- 12 December - PM holds further discussions ahead of EU summit
- 6 December - UK unveils new European budget deal
- 2 December - PM continues EU budget negotiations
- 2 December - UK will only pay fair share of EU costs says PM
- 1 December - PM welcomes closer EU-Ukraine ties
- 29 November - PM welcomes joint fight against terrorism
- 24 November - PM holds EU-Canada video conference
- 24 November - PM welcomes Chancellor Merkel to Downing Street
- 24 November - PM meets with Polish leader at Number 10
- 26 October - PM says it is time to ‘get Europe moving in the right direction’
- 24 October - PM holds EU meeting ahead of important summit
- 20 October - PM invites EU leaders to Hampton Court
- 7 October - PM welcomes ‘constructive’ talks with Chirac
- 4 October - PM meets Russian President at UK summit
- 4 October - Turkey breakthrough hailed as ‘historic day for Europe’
- 14 September - EU heads to meet at Hampton Court
- 23 June - PM sets out EU vision
- 20 June - PM reflects on European summit
- 18 June - PM says Europe faces ‘fundamental change and reform’
- 14 June - PM reflects on European tour
- 10 June - PM meets European leaders at Number 10
- 10 June - EU rebate corrects ‘unfair’ British contribution, says PM
- 6 June - UK referendum postponed, confirms Jack Straw
- 2 June - Referendum results raise ‘profound questions’ says Jack Straw
- 30 May - Prime Minister calls for EU ‘reflection’
- 11 Feb - Welsh students get sneak preview of EU logo
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