Chronológia Európskej únie (ENG)

1999
The single currency, the euro, was launched on 1 January. Eleven member states adopted the new currency but three countries - Denmark, Sweden, and the UK - decided to defer a decision. The new currency has not been a resounding success - in its first year its value fell by about 30% in relation to other leading currencies.
The Cologne European Council adopts the first European Union common strategy, which concerns Russia, and declarations on Kosovo and on the strengthening of European common foreign and security policy, and designates Mr Javier Solana Madariaga High Representative for the CFSP and Secretary-General of the Council.
After a scathing report suggesting corruption and mismanagement in the European Commission, all 20 commissioners and the president, Jacques Santer, were forced to step down.