What is the European Union?
The European Union brings together three separate “communities” that were established in the post-war period - the European Coal & Steel Community (ECSC), the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom).
History
In 1946, immediately following the Second World War, Winston Churchill called for closer political links through “a kind of United States of Europe”. This directly led to the creation of the European Movement in 1947 which sought greater inter-governmental co-operation.
By 1949, The Council of Europe had been established linking 10 countries (the United Kingdom plus Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden) , with the formal launch being held in London. The Council of Europe is independent of the European Union and now consists of 41 member countries.
Throughout the 50’s, the level of co-operation grew rapidly and emphasis was given to reducing barriers to international trade. In 1951, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands (“the Six”) created the European Coal & Steel Community which allowed free trade in coal and iron ore throughout the ECSC. This led to further economic co-operation through the European Economic Community (latterly, the European Community or EC) and Euratom, both of which were established in 1957 through the Treaties of Rome. Together, the ECSC, the EC and Euratom comprise the European Communities.
Following unsuccessful attempts to join the Communities in the sixties, the UK again applied for membership in 1971. A treaty of accession to the Communities was signed by the UK in 1972 (along with Ireland, Denmark and Norway); however, membership was not taken up by Norway but, in 1973, the UK, Ireland and Denmark officially joined. In June 1975, a referendum on continued membership was held in the UK; 67.2% of voters were in favour.
The political changes in Eastern Europe of the late 1980s/early 1990s, and particularly the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification in 1990, led member states to reaffirm and strengthen their community links. Thus, the Treaty of Maastricht in December 1991 enabled the creation of the European Union through the Treaty of European Union which finally took place in 1993. The union has three pillars - the European Communities, a common foreign and security policy, and justice and home affairs.
Membership
The EU grew to 15 Members in 1995 and on 1st May 2005, a further 10 members joined, and on January 1st 2007 a further 2 members joined, making a total membership of 27.
External Links
See also
Contact information
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