The European Union (EU) is a union of twenty-five independent states based on the European Communities and founded to enhance political, economic and social co-operation. Formerly known as European Community (EC) or European Economic Community (EEC).

Member states (EUR: Euro currency): The European Union (EU) is a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity.

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

Initially, the EU consisted of just six countries:

• Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
• Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined in 1973,
• Greece in 1981,
• Spain and Portugal in 1986,
• Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995.
• In 2004 the biggest ever enlargement took place with 10 new countries joining.
• Cyprus (Greek part), Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.