European Union

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

: This article is about the European Union. For other meanings of 'EU', see the EU (disambiguation) page.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The European Union or EU is an intergovernmental and supranational union of 25 European countries, known as member states. The European Union was established under that name in 1992 by the Treaty on European Union (the Maastricht Treaty). However, many aspects of the Union existed before that date through a series of predecessor relationships, dating back to 1951.

Related Topics:
Intergovernmental - Supranational - Europe - Member states - 1992 - Maastricht Treaty - 1951

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The European Union's activities cover all areas of public policy, from health and economic policy to foreign affairs and defence. However, the extent of its powers differs greatly between areas. Depending on the area in question, the EU may therefore resemble:

Related Topics:
Health - Economic - Foreign affairs - Defence

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• a federation (for example, on monetary affairs, agricultural, trade and environmental policy)
• a confederation (for example, on social and economic policy, consumer protection, home affairs)
• an international organisation (for example, in foreign affairs)

A key activity of the EU is the establishment and administration of a common single market, consisting of a customs union, a single currency (adopted by 12 of the 25 member states), a Common Agricultural Policy, a common trade policy, and a Common Fisheries Policy.

Related Topics:
Single market - Customs union - Single currency - Common Agricultural Policy - Common Fisheries Policy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The most important EU institutions are the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice.

Related Topics:
Council of the European Union - European Commission - European Parliament - European Court of Justice

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
European Union: Status ►