Events in the year 2008 in the European Union. 2008 was designated as: European Year of Intercultural Dialogue Incumbents Commission President: José Manuel Barroso, People's Party Council Presidency: Slovenia (January – June) France (July - December) Parliament President: Hans-Gert Pöttering, People's Party High Representative: Javier Solana, Socialists Events 1 January - Cyprus and Malta join the eurozone. 1 January - Akrotiri and Dhekelia adopt the euro. 1 January - Slovenia starts the presidency of European Union as the first of new member states. 29 March - Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia implement the Schengen Agreement for airports. 1 July - France takes over the Presidency from Slovenia. 12 December - Switzerland joins the Schengen area. References External links Video: What has Europe done for you in 2008? Years of the 21st century in the European Union 2000s in the European Union