Treaty of Maastricht facts for kids

The Treaty of Maastricht was a very important agreement signed by many European countries. It happened in the city of Maastricht in the Netherlands on February 7, 1992. This treaty was a big step forward for European countries working together. It led to the creation of the European Union, which is a group of countries that cooperate on many things. Before this, there were other agreements like the Treaty of Rome, but the Maastricht Treaty helped Europe come even closer. Later, the Treaty of Lisbon in 2007 continued this journey of European cooperation.

What is the Maastricht Treaty?

The Maastricht Treaty is a special agreement between different countries in Europe. It was signed in 1992 in the city of Maastricht. This treaty set up rules for how these countries would work together. It was a major step towards creating a stronger, more united Europe.

Why Was This Treaty Important?

The main reason the Maastricht Treaty was so important is that it created the European Union (EU). The EU is a group of countries that share common goals. These goals include making trade easier and helping people move freely between countries. The treaty also laid the groundwork for a single European currency, the euro. It also helped countries work together on things like foreign policy and justice.

What Did the Treaty Change?

The treaty changed how European countries cooperated in several ways. It created a structure with three main parts, often called "pillars."

• The first pillar was about economic cooperation and the single market. This meant making it easier to buy and sell things across borders.
• The second pillar focused on foreign and security policy. Countries agreed to work together on global issues.
• The third pillar dealt with justice and home affairs. This included cooperation on crime and immigration.

What Came After the Maastricht Treaty?

The Maastricht Treaty was not the end of European cooperation. It was a big step, but more changes happened later. For example, the euro currency was introduced for many EU countries. Later, the Treaty of Lisbon was signed in 2007. This treaty updated some of the rules and made the European Union work even better. It helped the EU become more efficient and democratic.

Images for kids

• 

  Stone memorial in front of the entry to the Limburg Province government building in Maastricht, Netherlands, commemorating the signing of the Maastricht Treaty

See also

In Spanish: Tratado de Maastricht para niños