What is the European Union?

The European Union (EU) is a unique partnership of 27 countries committed to work closely together for the benefit of all their citizens for peace and prosperity.

The origins of the EU are rooted in the desire for peace in Europe after the two World Wars. 6 countries (Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) felt that industrial cooperation held the key to peace and created the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951. This developed significantly in 1957 when these founder members created the European Economic Community (EEC) which aimed to create a common market with free movement of goods, services, capital and labour. The EEC underwent a further transformation in 1992 to become the European Union.

From humble origins based on industrial cooperation the EU developed to include a customs union, a common agricultural policy, atomic power co-operation, a single currency (for some), and a single market (the largest in the world!). Today the EU co-ordinates policy across a wide range of issues: justice and home affairs, regional development, industry and competitiveness, telecommunications, transport, research, education, health, youth, culture, agriculture, development aid and foreign policy.

The EU has also expanded geographically. It now comprises 27 members with more countries waiting in the wings to become members. Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Turkey, Iceland and Montenegro are candidates to join the EU.  

The 27 Member States are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The UK joined in 1973.

The EU covers a land area of 4,324,782 km; has over 150,000 km of coastline; and a population of some 498 million people.