European Union

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union made up of countries in Europe. A union is a group that joins together for shared decisions and rules. The EU allows its member states to cooperate on trade, travel, laws, and other areas. It is not a single country. Each member state keeps its own government, language, and traditions. The EU works through shared institutions that help member states make decisions together. Today, the European Union includes many countries across Europe.

The idea of closer cooperation in Europe developed after World War II. The war caused great damage and loss across the continent. European leaders looked for ways to prevent future wars between neighboring countries. In 1951, six countries formed the European Coal and Steel Community. Coal and steel were important materials for industry and war. By managing these resources together, the countries hoped to reduce conflict. In 1957, the same countries signed the Treaty of Rome. A treaty is a formal agreement between countries. This treaty created the European Economic Community, which focused on trade and shared markets.

Over time, more countries joined the group, and cooperation expanded beyond trade. In 1992, the Maastricht Treaty was signed. This treaty officially created the European Union. It added cooperation in areas such as citizenship, foreign policy, and justice. Citizenship means the legal status of belonging to a country or group. People from EU countries became citizens of the European Union as well as citizens of their own countries. The EU continued to grow, especially after the end of the Cold War, when several Central and Eastern European countries joined.

The European Union has several main institutions. Institutions are organizations that carry out specific roles. The European Commission proposes new laws and oversees daily work. The European Parliament represents EU citizens and is elected by voters in member states. The Council of the European Union represents national governments. Together, these bodies debate, change, and approve laws. The European Court of Justice makes sure that EU laws are applied in the same way across all member states. These institutions are located in different cities, including Brussels, Strasbourg, and Luxembourg.

One important part of the European Union is the single market. A market is a system where goods and services are bought and sold. The single market allows goods, services, money, and people to move freely between member states. This means a product made in one EU country can be sold in another without extra taxes at the border. Some EU countries also use a shared currency called the euro. A currency is a system of money. Not all member states use the euro, but those that do form the eurozone.

The European Union has faced changes and challenges over time. In 2004 and 2007, many new countries joined, increasing the size of the union. In 2020, the United Kingdom left the European Union after a national vote. This event is known as Brexit. Despite changes in membership, the EU continues to operate as a union of states that work together through shared rules and agreements. The European Union remains an important part of political and economic life in Europe.