The European Union (EU) is a unique organisation consisting of fifteen Member States, brought together in order to safeguard peace and promote economic and social progress. The inspiration for the EU grew out of the desolation left behind after Europe had experienced two devastating world wars and a serious economic depression. At that time, some countries in Western Europe looked for ways to make sure that they never went to war against each other again.
Who had the idea of forming a European Union?
In 1950, two Frenchmen, Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman, put forward a plan to prevent another war between France and Germany. They proposed that some form of practical joint action between the two countries, controlled by a 'High Authority', would eliminate antagonism between them. Their idea was that coal and steel production, which was of great importance to both countries, should be jointly controlled, and that other countries should be allowed to participate if they wished to.
As a direct result of their efforts the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was established by the Treaty of Paris in 1951, with Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. The success of the ECSC led its members to sign the Rome Treaties in 1957 and to form the European Economic Community (EEC), which would remove barriers to trade and services; it also led them to establish the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and develop nuclear energy for peaceful uses. The EEC and Euratom came into effect in 1958. The EEC, generally called the common market, later became known as the European Community (EC). As a result of the Maastricht Treaty, signed in 1992, these countries decided to adopt the new title of 'European Union'.
How many countries does the European Union consist of?
Since 1951 the EU has consisted of six to nine, then to twelve and then fifteen Member States. Currently it is enlarging to include 20 or even 30 new members. Many countries including Turkey, Cyprus, Poland, Hungary and Switzerland, have formally applied for membership.
When did these countries join?
Member States Timeline
1957
France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg
1973
United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland
1981
Greece
1986
Portugal and Spain
1995
Austria, Finland and Sweden
What are the advantages of belonging to the European Union?
The lifting of trade restrictions has enabled Member States to trade freely between each other. This means that each country has the right to move goods, services, people and capital from one Member State to another without restriction. By doing this political, economic and cultural links are strengthened across the European Union. The Union brings new opportunities to all its people. You can live, work or set up business in the country of your choice, bringing social security and pension benefits with you. You can shop where goods and services are most competitively priced. You can take advantage of EU funds for employment training programmes or benefit from minimum European standards for working conditions.
As a result of the Maastricht Treaty, you can vote and stand as a candidate in local and European elections in the Member State where you live, even if you are not a national. You can enjoy higher living standards, increased consumer benefits and environmental protection.
Are there any plans for the future?
At Maastricht in 1992, when the Treaty on European Union was completed, it was also decided to hold an Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) starting in 1996 in anticipation of the deepening and widening of the EU. In June 1997, a further meeting of Heads of State or Government was called in Amsterdam to discuss how the European Union should progress towards enlargement, particularly in central and Eastern Europe. The Heads of State or Government agreed on a new Treaty of Amsterdam, which places greater emphasis on strengthening existing bonds within the EU, before enlarging the Union to the east and south.
Later in July 1997, the EU announced proposals to expand the European Union to include Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Estonia and Cyprus by the year 2005.
What would be the impact on these countries if they were accepted into the European Union?
If these countries were accepted in the European Union then they too would gain from all the advantages as previously mentioned. It would guarantee a brighter future for many people. There would be little fear of war between these countries and lasting peace and democracy would be certain.
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