The European Union (EU) was formed in the aftermath of World War II, with the aim of promoting peace, stability, and economic cooperation among European nations. The EU's precursor, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), was established in 1951. Over the years, the EU has expanded to include more countries, with the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957, the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, and the Lisbon Treaty in 2007.
The EU has implemented several key policies, including the creation of a single market, a common currency (the euro), and the Schengen Area, which allows for passport-free travel among member states. However, the EU has also faced challenges, such as the global financial crisis, the migration crisis, and the Brexit referendum, in which the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU.
Today, the EU has 27 member states, with a population of around 450 million. The EU continues to evolve, with ongoing negotiations for the accession of new countries, particularly in the Balkans. The eurozone comprises 19 countries, and the Schengen Area has expanded to include 26 states.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. World War II ended with the United States and the USSR as the two major world powers.
2. The Cold War began as a result of the growing rivalry between the United States and the USSR.
3. The Soviet Union controlled Eastern Europe after World War II.
4. The idea of European unity began to take hold in the West.
5. On May 9, 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schumann proposed a Franco-German reconciliation and the creation of a common high authority to manage coal and steel production.
6. The European Coal and Steel Community was established in 1951 with six founding countries: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
7. The European Economic Community was created in 1957 with the signing of the Treaty of Rome.
8. The European Atomic Energy Community was established in 1957 to coordinate civilian nuclear research programs.
9. The European Communities were merged in 1967 to create a single commission, council, and parliament.
10. The United Kingdom joined the European Community in 1973, followed by Denmark and Ireland.
11. Greece joined the European Community in 1981, followed by Spain and Portugal in 1986.
12. The Single European Act was signed in 1986 to create a single market and remove obstacles to the free movement of people, goods, and services.
13. The Maastricht Treaty was signed in 1992, creating the European Union and introducing a common currency, the euro.
14. The European Union was established on November 1, 1993, with the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty.
15. Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the European Union in 1995.
16. The Schengen Agreement was signed in 1985 and introduced in 1995 to abolish border controls and create a common visa policy.
17. The Treaty of Amsterdam was signed in 1997 and entered into force in 1999.
18. The euro was introduced as an accounting currency in 1999 and became a physical currency in 2002.
19. The Treaty of Nice was signed in 2001 and entered into force in 2003.
20. The European Constitution was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005.
21. The Treaty of Lisbon was signed in 2007 and entered into force in 2009.
22. The European Union expanded to include 12 new member states between 2004 and 2013.
23. The global financial crisis had a significant impact on the European Union, particularly on the eurozone.
24. The European Union signed agreements with Turkey and Libya to control migration flows.
25. The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in a referendum held in 2016.
26. The United Kingdom formally left the European Union on January 31, 2020.
27. The European Union currently has 27 member states, with a population of around 450 million people.
28. Negotiations are underway for the accession of new countries, mostly in the Balkans.
29. 19 countries are members of the eurozone, while 6 other countries have adopted the euro without being a member of the eurozone or the EU.
30. The Schengen area comprises 26 states, including 4 non-members of the European Union.