ten years Maastricht Treaty - Germany / Federal Republic of Germany 2003 - 55 Euro Cent

On 1 November 1993 the Treaty on European Union came into force, the main content of which was the agreement of the Member States to adopt a single currency by the end of the decade. In general, the title "Maastricht Treaty" prevailed, because in Maastricht, the Netherlands, it was negotiated at the Summit of Heads of State and Government in 1991, where it was also solemnly signed on 7 February 1992. The Maastricht Treaty established the binding procedure for the introduction of a single currency. So it was agreed in 1995 on the name "Euro". In 1996, the uniform design of the new banknotes was introduced, and in 1997 the Stability Pact was signed, obliging the euro countries to sound public finances. In 1998, the 11 EU Member States that wanted to adopt the new currency were selected: France, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Spain and Germany. Britain, Denmark and Sweden decided to keep their national currencies for the time being. The euro has been in force since 1999 as a European currency and since January 1, 2002 it is in the purse. During this time, many citizens in Germany became really aware that the introduction of the euro also meant a farewell to the German mark. The common currency is not only another big step towards an economic union, it also promotes the political union of Europeans.