European Union

The European Union (EU) is a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity.

The European Union (EU) is a unity in diversity. Europe is a continent with many different traditions and languages, but also with shared values. The EU defends these values. It fosters co-operation among the peoples of Europe, promoting unity while preserving diversity and ensuring that decisions are taken as close as possible to the citizens.

Though richly diverse, the countries that make up the EU (its 'member states') are all committed to the same fundamental values: peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. They seek to promote these values, to build and share prosperity and to exert their collective influence by acting together on the world stage. In the early years, much of the co-operation between EU countries was about trade and the economy, but now the EU also deals with many other subjects of direct importance for our everyday life, such as citizens' rights; ensuring freedom, security and justice; job creation; regional development; environmental protection; making globalization work for everyone.

Covering a large part of the continent of Europe, from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean and from the Atlantic to the Aegean, the European Union (EU) is not a State intended to replace existing states, and at the same time it is more than any other international organization. The EU is, in fact, unique. Its Member States have set up common institutions to which they delegate some of their sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level. This pooling of sovereignty is also called "European integration".

The historical roots of the European Union lie in the Second World War. The idea of European integration was conceived to prevent such destruction from ever happening again. It was first proposed by the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in a speech on 9 May 1950. This date, the "birthday" of what is now the EU, is celebrated annually as Europe Day.

The rule of law is fundamental to the European Union. All EU decisions and procedures are based on the Treaties, which are agreed by all the EU countries.

The European Union has delivered half a century of stability, peace and prosperity. The Union has raised its citizens' standard of living to unprecedented levels. It has created a frontier-free single market, launched the single European currency, the euro, and strengthened Europe's voice in the world. It has become a major economic power and the world leader in development aid. Its membership has grown from six to 27 nations. For now EU have a population of nearly half a billion.

In the increasingly interdependent world of the 21st century, it will be even more necessary for every European citizen to co-operate with people from other countries in a spirit of curiosity, tolerance and solidarity.