What is the European Union and what is it's purpose?
1 Answer
The European Union is an organisation made up of 28 countries.
Explanation:
The EU is a result of moves towards co-operation if not union in post war Europe. The first stage was the the Schumann Plan which led to the ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community). This was a plan to integrate the French and German coal and steel industries so as to prevent future war between the two countries.
In 1956 the Treaty Of Rome was signed creating the European Economic Community. This consisted of 6 countries, France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and Holland. As the name suggests the aim was to create far closer economic ties between member states.
SInce then the number of states has grown to 28. The EEC became the EC then the EU. Such changes reflect a move towards greater union and integration not only in economic terms, e.g. the Single Market and creation of the Euro, but also political integration as well.
