The Evolution of the European Union

On May 9, 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman introduced his idea of an organization with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between the neighboring countries. In other words, it was meant to secure peace between the defeated and the victorious nations, brining them together as equals. On April 18, 1951, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was officially formed under the Treaty of Paris. The six founders of what we now know as the European Union include Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

The six countries decided to build a European Economic Community (EEC) on March 25, 1957 with the Treaty of Rome. The EEC was to be based on a wider common market covering a whole range of goods and services. Customs duties between the member nations were dropped in July 1968. Common policies on trade and agriculture were also added during the 1960s. In 1973, Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom joined the EEC. New social and environmental policies were implemented the same year. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) was established in 1975.

A major step forward occurred in June 1979 when the first election to the European Parliament took place by direct universal suffrage. The European Economic Community was gradually becoming more appealing. In 1981, Greece joined the EEC; Spain and Portugal followed suit in 1986. A timetable for completing the European single market was released amidst the worldwide economic recession in the early 1980s. An ambitious goal was set for the first of January 1993. The goal was preserved in the Single European Act which came into forcer on July 1, 1987.

When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, Germany was unified and democracy began to spread to the countries of central and eastern Europe as they broke away from Soviet control. The Treaty on European Union came into force on November 1, 1993. It added areas of intergovernmental cooperation to the existing structures. The Treaty created the European Union. On January 1, 1995, three more countries joined the EU. These three countries include Austria, Finland, and Sweden.

The most outstanding achievement, the creation of a single currency, was introduced for transactions in 1999. Notes and coins were issued three years later in the twelve countries of the euro area.  The EU adopted the “Lisbon strategy” in March 2000 to modernize the European economy and enable it to compete on the world market with other major players. Opening to new member nations would help stabilize the European continent.

Thus far, the European Union has established frontier-free travel and trade, created the euro, improved the safety of food, worked towards a greener environment, boost the living standards in poorer regions, united for joint action on crime and terror. The European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission were set up to run the EU and adopt its legislation.

Europa describes it as “a unique economical and political partnership between twenty-seven democratic European countries.” Today, the population of these twenty-seven member nations is nearly half a million. The goal remains the same: “peace, prosperity, and freedom.” The European Union desires to be a fair and caring society, committed to promoting economic prosperity creating jobs by making companies more competitive and giving workers new skills. The EU works to spread prosperity, democratic progress, the rule of law and human rights with its neighboring countries and others.

The UK has had a peculiar relationship with the European Union since the European Coal and Steel Community was created in 1951. Britain was invited to be part of the original union, but it declined. Britain was content with Europe integrating as it attempted to rebuild after the wars. Britons have never seen themselves as Europeans. Their main priority was rebuilding Britain as a world power, focusing on trade with the Commonwealth. As time went on, Britain's trade changed from primarily with the Commonwealth to an increasing amount with the EEC member nations. In 1961, the UK applied to be admitted into the community as membership began to make more economic sense. The UK's admission was vetoed then and once again, later in the decade. By 1973, the UK was finally admitted to the EEC. The institutions had already been well established without the UK's economy in mind. UK citizens were still not too fond of becoming integrated with the continent. They haven't much changed their mind in the past 30 years. The UK has stood out among the EU member nations by retaining the Pound as the currency and passport control between EU nations. The UK benefited economically by not adopting the euro. Citizens of the UK benefit from easier travel into the continent. The UK is very persistent in keeping its own identity as a country and not as part of a European federation. It seems like the UK likes the beneficial aspects of the EU but doesn't want to be too associated with Europe or the Europeans.

The History of the European Union. The European Union at a Glance. Europa. 18 March 2009.

Key Facts and Figures. The European Union at a Glance. Europa. 18 March 2009.

Panorama of the European Union. The European Union at a Glance. Europa. 18 March 2009.

UK and Europe: Even Closer Union? BBC News. BBC. 21 April 2009.