2002 in the European Union

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.
 * 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.