2003 in the European Union

2003 the European Union European Union Template:Year in the EU: Parameter 1=year required! Flag of Europe.svg 90px Other events of 2003 Timeline of EU history Events from the year 2003 in the European Union. The year was designated the European Year of People with Disabilities by the Council of Europe.http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/employment_and_social_policy/disability_and_old_age/c11413_en.htm European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 europa.eu European Union 31 January 2006 16 January 2014 Incumbents Commission President – Romano Prodi Council Presidency – Greece (January–June) and Italy (July–December) Parliament President – Pat Cox, ELDR Party High Representative – Javier Solana, Socialists Events January 1 January - Greece takes over the Presidency of the European Union. February 1 February - The Treaty of Nice enters into force.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2715437.stm Landmark EU treaty comes into effect BBC News BBC Chris Morris 1 February 2003 23 November 2013 March 8 March - In the first of many referendums held across Europe this year, the electorate of Malta votes to join the European Union.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/mar/10/eu.politics Malta flags assent to EU enlargement The Guardian Guardian Media Group Ian Black 10 March 2003 23 November 2013 23 March - The electorate of Slovenia votes to join the European Union.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/slovenia/1425521/Landslide-for-EU-membership-in-Slovenian-referendum.html Landslide for EU membership in Slovenian referendum The Telegraph Telegraph Media Group London Evans-Pritchard Ambrose 24 March 2003 23 November 2013 April 9 April - The European Parliament approves the accession of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, who are expected to join the EU the following year subject to the result of national referendums. 12 April - Amid a lower than expected turnout, the electorate of Hungary votes to join the European Union.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2946963.stm Hungary's EU apathy BBC News BBC Gabriel Partos 14 April 2003 23 November 2013 16 April - The Treaty of Accession 2003 is signed in Athens by the 15 current member nations of the European Union and Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. At 4,900 pages, it is the longest treaty in EU history.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2952799.stm Q&A: EU accession treaty BBC News BBC Oana Lungescu 16 April 2003 23 November 2013 May 11 May - The electorate of Lithuania votes to join the European Union, becoming the first former Soviet republic to do so.http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2003-05-12-lithuania-eu_x.htm Lithuanians celebrate outcome of EU vote USA Today Gannett Company 12 May 2003 23 November 2013 17 May - The electorate of Slovakia votes by a wide margin to join the European Union.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3036463.stm Slovaks say 'Yes' to EU BBC News BBC 18 May 2003 23 November 2013 June 8 June - The electorate of Poland votes to join the European Union.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2973738.stm Poland says big Yes to EU BBC News BBC 9 June 2003 23 November 2013 14 June - The electorate of the Czech Republic votes to join the European Union.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2989750.stm Czechs say Yes to EU entry BBC News BBC 14 June 2003 23 November 2013 July 1 July - Italy takes over the Presidency of the European Union. September 14 September - In a referendum, the electorate of Sweden votes to reject membership of the eurozone.https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/15/international/europe/15SWED.html In a Referendum, Swedes Resoundingly Reject the Euro The New York Times Alan Cowell 15 September 2003 23 November 2013 The electorate of Estonia votes to join the European Union.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3108356.stm Estonia approves EU entry BBC News BBC 14 September 2003 23 November 2013 October 4 October - An Intergovernmental Conference convenes in Rome to finalise the European Constitution. References 2003 in Category:Years of the 21st century in the European Union Category:2000s in the European Union