2014 Event After restricting its ties with Cuba since 1996, the European Union agrees to launch negotiations; the talks aim to increase the dialogue on human rights and increase trade and investment between Cuba and the EU 2013 Event Britain's Prime Minister, David Cameron, lays out his intention to renegotiate terms with the EU, and subsequent plan to offer a referendum on his country's withdrawal from the EU if a new deal is agreed 2013 Event Germany, France, and nine other countries within the EU await approval from EU Finance Ministers to institute the Tobin tax, a tax on financial transactions 2013 Event The European Commissioner for Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, reveals that the EU is planning regulatory action to facilitate consolidation of the telecommunications market across national borders 2012 Event A debate among EU commissioners on a proposal to accept a 40 percent quota for women on corporate boards is delayed until November 2012 2012 Event An EU Accession referendum is taken in Croatia; 66% vote to join the EU, and 33% vote against joining 2011 Event Further sanctions are imposed on Belarus, Iran and Syria by the EU, who reiterates the call for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down 2011 Event The EU Council votes; the copyright on sound recordings is extended from 50 to 70 years 2009 Event Czech Republic assumes EU presidency 1988 Event "Da'Butt" by EU hits #35 1922 Death Louis PMFG of Orleans, earl of Eu/Brazil, dies at 80 1397 Death Count of Eu, French knight, dies in Turkish captivity