European Union

The European Union is a hybrid intergovernmental and supranational organization, which consist of 27 European states.

History

The devastating wars of the first half of the 20th century convinced some European politicians that some form of cooperation was needed, so that future wars could be avoided. One of the main proponents was Robert Schuman, foreign minister of France. Schuman proposed an European federation, and the first step would be the integration of the coal and steel industries of Western Europe. The first step was the European Coal and Steel Community, formed in 1951. The original six members were France, West Germany, Italy, Belguim, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

The Treaty of Rome (1957) formed the first common European market, the European Economic Community (EEC). The EEC guaranteed “the four freedoms”: The free movement of goods, services, capital, and people.

In 1967, the Economic Community, the Coal and Steel Community, and the European Atomic Energy Community were merged into the European Community (EC). The EC created a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and the European Parliament.

The early 1970s saw the first enlargement of the EC. The United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark joined. Norway was also invited into the EC, but the electorate rejected it in a referendum.

Member states

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• The Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• United Kingdom