Council of the European Union: presidency rotations and key decisions (1958–2024)

1. First EEC Council meeting under Belgian presidency

   Jan 25, 1958Labels: Belgian Presidency, EEC Council

   • Belgian Presidency
   • Consilium

2. Merger Treaty signed, creating a single Council

   Apr 8, 1965Labels: Merger Treaty, Single Council

   • Europarl
   • Britannica

3. Luxembourg Compromise entrenches “national veto” practice

   Jan 1, 1966Labels: Luxembourg Compromise, National Veto

   • Eurofound

4. Paris summit regarded as founding the European Council

   Dec 9, 1974Labels: Paris Summit, European Council

   • Consilium

5. Schengen Agreement signed by five member states

   Jun 14, 1985Labels: Schengen Agreement, Founding States

   • EUR Lex
   • Commission

6. Single European Act signed, expanding QMV in Council

   Feb 17, 1986Labels: Single European, Qualified Majority

   • Consilium
   • Europarl

7. Single European Act enters into force

   Jul 1, 1987Labels: Single European, QMV Implementation

   • Consilium
   • Britannica

8. Maastricht Treaty signed, establishing the European Union

   Feb 7, 1992Labels: Maastricht Treaty, European Union

   • Europarl
   • Britannica

9. Amsterdam Treaty enters into force, integrating Schengen

   May 1, 1999Labels: Amsterdam Treaty, Schengen Integration

   • Europarl
   • EUR Lex

10. Treaty of Nice signed, reforming Council decision rules

    Feb 26, 2001Labels: Treaty of, Council Reform

    • Europarl

11. Treaty of Nice enters into force

    Feb 1, 2003Labels: Treaty of, Institutional Changes

    • Europarl

12. Lisbon Treaty enters into force, reforming Council presidency

    Dec 1, 2009Labels: Lisbon Treaty, Trio Presidency

    • Consilium
    • Europarl

13. Council Decision implements trio groupings and chairing rules

    Dec 1, 2009Labels: Council Decision, Presidency Rules

    • EUR Lex

14. Council adopts Schengen Declaration on 40th anniversary

    Jun 12, 2025Labels: Schengen Declaration, Council Adoption

    • Consilium