Interactive diagram showing developments in the general budget of the European Union since 1952.

In an article published in the French daily newspaper Le Monde on 27 March 2007, Nicolas-Jean Brehon, Deputy Head of Research at the EDHEC Business School, considers the development of the Community budget and its role over the past 50 years.

In 2007, the European Commission publishes a brochure which provides answers to a number of questions on the budget and financial planning of the European Union.

The Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) is signed on 18 April 1951 in Paris and enters into force on 23 July 1952. This Treaty is concluded for a period of 50 years from the date of its entry into force.

The Treaty establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) is signed in Rome on 25 March 1957 and enters into force on 1 January 1958.

The Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom) is signed in Rome on 25 March 1957 and enters into force on 1 January 1958.

The Treaty establishing a Single Council and a Single Commission of the European Communities is signed in Brussels on 8 April 1965 and enters into force on 1 July 1967.

Treaty amending certain budgetary provisions of the Treaties establishing the European Communities and of the Treaty establishing a Single Council and a Single Commission of the European Communities, signed in Luxembourg on 22 April 1970.

Treaty amending certain financial provisions of the Treaties establishing the European Communities and of the Treaty establishing a Single Council and a Single Commission of the European Communities. On 22 July 1975, in Brussels, the Member States of the Europe of the Nine sign this Treaty which provides for the establishment of a Court of Auditors and strengthens the European Parliament’s budgetary powers. These reforms proved necessary following the implementation of the financial system of own resources, which established the financial autonomy of the European Communities.

The Treaty on European Union is signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992 and enters into force on 1 November 1993.

Protocol (No 34) on the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, annexed to the Treaty establishing the European Community by the Treaty of Nice of 26 February 2001.

Treaty establishing the European Community as amended by the Treaty of Nice of 26 February 2001.

Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community as amended by the Treaty of Nice of 26 February 2001.