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. 15 January - Irish MEP Pat Cox is elected President of the European Parliament. 28 February - The Euro becomes the sole legal tender in all 12 Eurozone countries. 21 April – first round of the presidential election: Jacques Chirac and Jean-Marie le Pen poll the most votes. This was a major political event, both nationally and internationally, as it was the first time someone like Le Pen with such far-right views had qualified for the second round of a French presidential election. Two weeks of demonstrations against the National Front follow. 5 May – second round of the presidential election. Jacques Chirac returns for a second term as President of the French Republic. 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. 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. November - The European Christian Political Party (ECPP), a European political party is founded in Lakitelek, Hungary.
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