E.U. Parliament approves new measures to create a circular economy
“By 2025, at least 55% of municipal waste (from households and businesses) should be recycled. The target will rise to 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035.”
European Union
Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, and Slovenia agree to establish world’s first five-country protected area to conserve “Europe’s Amazon”
The five countries signed a historic declaration to establish a trans-boundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to protect their shared nature and wildlife along the Mura, Drava, and Danube rivers, “Europe’s Amazon.” The declaration paves the way for creating the world’s first five-country protected area and, with an overall size of about 800,000 hectares, Europe’s largest riverine protected area.
Belgium becomes second country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Belgium since 1 June 2003, making it the second country in the world to open marriage to same-sex couples, after the Netherlands, and 9 days ahead of the Canadian province of Ontario. Legislation to grant marriage rights to same-sex couples was passed by both chambers of the Federal Parliament in November 2002 and January 2003 with the support of most political parties, and received royal assent on 13 February 2003.
Austria, Finland, and Sweden join the European Union
The European Union was formally established when the Maastricht Treaty came into force on 1 November 1993. In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU.