| The European Union or
EU is an intergovernmental and supranational union of
25 European countries, known as member states. The European
Union was established under that name in 1992 by the
Treaty on European Union (the Maastricht Treaty). However,
many aspects of the Union existed before that date through
a series of predecessor relationships, dating back to
1951. The European Union's activities cover all areas
of public policy, from health and economic policy to
foreign affairs and defense. However, the extent of
its powers differs greatly between areas. Depending
on the area in question, the EU may therefore resemble:
a federation (for example, on monetary
affairs, agricultural, trade and environmental policy)
a confederation (for example, on social
and economic policy, consumer protection, home affairs)
an international organisation (for
example, in foreign affairs).
Countries in the European Union:
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A key activity of the EU is the establishment and administration
of a common single market, consisting of a customs union,
a single currency (adopted by 12 of the 25 member states),
a Common Agricultural Policy, a common trade policy,
and a Common Fisheries Policy.
The members of the European Union have transferred
to it considerable sovereignty — more than that
of any other non-sovereign regional organisation. As
has been mentioned, in certain areas the EU begins to
take on the character of a federation or confederation.
However, in legal terms, member states remain the masters
of the Treaties, which means that the Union does not
have the power to transfer additional powers from states
onto itself without their agreement through further
international treaties. Further, in many areas member
states have given up relatively little national sovereignty,
particularly in key areas of national interest such
as foreign relations and defence. This unique structure
means the European Union is perhaps best seen as a sui
generis entity.
On 29 October 2004, European heads of government and
state signed the Treaty establishing a Constitution
for Europe. This has been ratified by some member states
and is currently awaiting ratification by the other
states. However, this process faltered on May 29, 2005
when the majority of French voters rejected the constitution
in a referendum by 54.7%. The French rejection was followed
three days later by a Dutch one on June 1 when in the
Netherlands 61.6% of voters refused the constitution
as well.
The current and future status of the European Union
therefore continues to be subject of political controversy,
with widely differing views both within and between
member states. This debate has gained intensity following
the rejection of the constitutional treaty by France
and the Netherlands.
For example, in the United Kingdom, currently holding
the EU presidency, one poll suggested that around 75%
of the population are indifferent or opposed to the
European Union. However, other countries are more in
favour of European integration — soon after the
Netherlands and the French voted "no" on the
constitution, Luxembourg voted "yes."
Since its inception with six countries, nineteen further
states have joined in successive waves of enlargement:
The signing ceremony for the admittance of new member
states in Athens, Greece in 2004Year Country
1952 Belgium, France,
West Germany, Italy,
Luxembourg, The
Netherlands (founding members)
1973 Denmark, Ireland,
United Kingdom
1981 Greece
1986 Portugal, Spain
1990 East Germany reunites
with West Germany and becomes
part of the EU
1995 Austria, Finland,
Sweden
2004 Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Estonia, Hungary,
Latvia, Lithuania,
Malta, Poland,
Slovakia, Slovenia
Moving
within the European Union - Rights and Associations
All European Countries:
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