Title: EUR-Lex - xy0026 - EN - EUR-Lex
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Summaries of EU Legislation
Title and reference
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Text
Treaty of Maastricht on European Union
SUMMARY OF:
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE TREATY?
KEY POINTS
European Communities (1st pillar)
Common foreign and security policy (2nd pillar)
Cooperation on justice and home affairs (3rd pillar)
Economic and monetary union
Common currency (euro)
New policies
Social protocol
European citizenship
Institutional changes
FROM WHEN DOES THE TREATY APPLY?
BACKGROUND
MAIN DOCUMENT

Content: creation of a single currency and a European Central Bank (from 1 January 1999 at the latest); sets out criteria on inflation, levels of public debt, interest rates and exchange rates countries must meet before adopting the euro; provides an opt out for the UK ( 1) from the 3rd stage and subjects Danish participation to a national referendum. New policies
The EU is given responsiblity for: trans-European networks (TEN); industrial policy ; consumer protection ; education and vocational training ; youth issues; culture .