Following preparatory work which began in the mid-1970s, in 1990 this project was placed in the context of the European Union. This is intended to bridge the gap between the increasing impact of Community action on citizens of the Community and the safeguarding of rights and duties and participation in democratic processes, which remains an almost exclusively national matter.
Nationality is defined according to the national laws of that State.
Citizenship of the Union is complementary to national citizenship and comprises a number of rights and duties in addition to those stemming from citizenship of a Member State. By contrast with the constitutional understanding in European States since the French Declaration of Human and Civil Rights of 1789, no specific guarantees of fundamental rights are associated with citizenship of the Union. ECT, which constitutes a major difference between it and citizenship of the Member States. TEU provide opportunities gradually to develop citizenship of the Union and thus provide citizens of the Union with an enhanced legal status at European level. Changes following entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam The Treaty of Amsterdam has somewhat improved and clarified EU citizenship.