Partners European Union
European Union      PDF  | Print |  Email

(http://europa.eu/)

The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political partnership between 27 democratic European countries which aims to achieve peace, prosperity and freedom for its 495 million citizens — in a fairer, safer world.  It was established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993 upon the foundations of the pre-existing European Economic Community.

Accomplishments have been achieved in the following areas: frontier-free travel and trade, the euro (the single European currency), safer food and a greener environment, better living standards in poorer regions, joint action on crime and terror, cheaper phone calls and air travel, millions of opportunities to study abroad.

EU countries set up bodies to run the EU and adopt its legislation. The main ones are:

  • The European Parliament (representing the people of Europe);
  • The Council of the European Union (representing national governments);
  • The European Commission (representing the common EU interest).

The EU operates through a hybrid system of intergovernmentalism and supernationalism. In certain areas it depends upon agreement between the member states. However, it also has supranational bodies, able to make decisions without the agreement of all national governments.

Since its establishment, the EU has grown in size through the accession of new member states and has increased its powers by the addition of new policy areas to its remit.

 

Related Articles