2002 in the European Union

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Years:	1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Events from the year 2002 in the European Union.

Incumbents

• Commission President — Romano Prodi
• Council Presidency — Spain (January–June), Denmark (July–December)
• Parliament President — Nicole Fontaine (until 15 January), Pat Cox
• High Representative — Javier Solana

Events

• 1 January -
  • Spain takes over the Presidency of the European Union.
  • Euro notes and coins issued are in Austria, Belgium, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.^[1]
• 15 January - Irish MEP Pat Cox is elected President of the European Parliament.^[2]
• 28 February - The Euro becomes the sole legal tender in all 12 Eurozone countries.^[3]
• 31 May - All 15 member nations of the European Union ratify the Kyoto Protocol, committing to an 8% cut in carbon dioxide emissions between 2008 and 2012 compared to 1990 levels.^[4]
• 1 July - Denmark takes over the Presidency of the European Union.
• 19 October - In a second referendum, the electorate of Ireland votes in favour of ratifying the Treaty of Nice.^[5]

References

1. "Euro becomes a reality". BBC News (BBC). 31 December 2001. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
2. "Cox 'salutes and thanks' MEPs after election victory". The Irish Times (The Irish Times Limited). 16 January 2002. Retrieved 6 December 2013.(subscription required)
3. "Euro changeover complete". BBC News (BBC). 28 February 2002. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
4. "European Union ratifies Kyoto treaty". USA Today. Gannett Company. 31 May 2002. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
5. Harding, Thomas (21 October 2002). "Ireland says yes to Nice treaty". The Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Retrieved 23 November 2013.