The 2015 G7 Summit: European and global issues were on the agenda under the German G7 Presidency
sive programme of measures. In addition
sustainable, fair answer. In 2014, five coun-
to increasing sea rescue operations in the
tries, and among them primarily Germany,
Mediterranean and measures to fight the
absorbed two thirds of all refugees. No
smuggling and trafficking of human beings,
country in Europe took in more people
the fight against the causes of people fleeing
from Syria: over 125,000. The solution the
from and irregular migration in their home
European Council reached in June 2015, of
countries and transit countries in Africa
re-settling refugees in need of help within
and the Middle East also plays a role. The
the EU on a voluntary basis rather than ri-
question of the more uniform distribution
gidly in line with country of first registra-
of asylum seekers in the EU still requires a
tion, is an initial step in this direction.
2002
2004
2009
Europe gives itself a currency.
In initially 12 EU member states,
the cash euro is introduced; it
had served as book money since
1999. The new European
Central Bank (ECB) is based
in Frankfurt am Main.
On 1 May Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Malta, and Cyprus join the EU.
Bulgaria and Romania follow
three years later; Croatia in 2013.
The EU presents a united front in
the world. With the Treaty of Lisbon, the EU creates the office of
the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
A European External Action Service (EEAS) is established.