1992. aastal pandi Euroopa Liidu lepinguga (nn Maastrichti leping) paika tegevuskava ühisraha kasutuselevõtuks ja Euroopa Liidu keskpanga loomiseks. 1994. aasta jaanuaris asutati selle raames Euroopa Rahainstituut (ERI), mis kujutas endast vahepealset, kuid tähtsat sammu EKP loomise suunas.
In its provisions for Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), the Treaty on European Union stipulated that a European Monetary Institute (EMI), a forerunner of the European Central Bank, would be constituted at the outset of EMU's second stage.
At the start of the second stage, a European Monetary Institute (hereinafter referred to as 'EMI') shall be established and take up its duties; it shall have legal personality and be directed and managed by a Council, consisting of a President and the Governors of the national central banks, one of whom shall be Vice-President.
