What is the Maastricht Treaty?
Signed in Maastricht, the Netherlands, on 7 February 1992, the Maastricht Treaty created the European Union, or EU. Formerly called the Treaty on European Union, or TEU, the treaty went into effect 1 November 1993. Currently comprised of 27 member states, or nations, the EU provides benefits for citizens of member states such as ease of travel for work, education, or recreational purposes. In addition, the common European currency, the euro, was created with the introduction of the Maastricht Treaty.
