Maastricht has a population of 125,000 and is located in the southernmost part of the Netherlands, close to the very heart of  Western Europe. The city, founded by the Romans in the year 50 BC, enjoys an international atmosphere. Maastricht can boast of a university, an academic hospital and an airport.

It is only an hour’s drive from Brussels, Antwerp, Luxembourg, Cologne and Düsseldorf. In addition, more than 100 international institutions have their seat in Maastricht. Although these institutions undertake a variety of activities, there is one thing they all have in common: their networks.

 

Fifteen years ago, a resolution was adopted which resulted in the expansion of the European Union and the introduction of a single European currency: the Euro. The Maastricht Treaty made the city well-known, even far beyond Europe. But this is not the only landmark in the history of Europe to be celebrated in 2007. It will also be fifty years since the Treaty of Rome was ratified, thereby founding the European Economic Community. Alongside the Treaty of Rome, the Maastricht Treaty is the single most important document relating to the unification of Europe. An excellent reason for Maastricht to extravagantly celebrate both these historic highlights in 2007, together with businesses and industry, civil servants, public institutions and cultural and sports organisations within the European Union.

 

The Treaty of Rome was signed on 25 March 1957. Six countries became the founders of a European Economic Community. This treaty increased European economic cooperation and a common market was established for a variety of products. A non-tariff zone was  established within a common external frontier. Additionally, the European Atomic Energy Treaty was established in order to promote the non-violent use of nuclear energy.

 

The Maastricht Treaty was ratified on 9 and 10 December 1991 in Maastricht and signed on 7 February 1992 by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Ministers of Finance representing the member states - and so the European Union was founded. The Treaties of Rome and Paris were both amended. An Economic and Monetary Union was called into being with a single European currency: the Euro. The Maastricht Treaty marked an important step forward in the unification of Europe. It provided the entire community with a new political dimension.