After World War I, many people began to talk about a politically unified Europe. The first Pan-Europan congress was held in 1926. In 1929, the French prime minister proposed a federation of European nations for economic ans social co-operation. Many people supported this idea, but the start of World War II interrupted the process.
In 1957, the European Economic Community (EEC) was founded. It began with six members: France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, West Germany and Italy. Their objective was to increase economic devolopment and prevent another war.
In 1973, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark joined the EEC, making nine members states in all. Greece joined in 1981, and Spain and Portugal changed its name to the European Community (EC).
In 1992, the EC changed its name a third time and became the European Union (EU).
Austria, Finland and Sweden joined in 1995. In 2002 most of the coutries in the EU began using Europe's single currency, teh euro.
By the year 2004, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus were also members of the EU, making a total of 25 members states. In the same year, Bulgaria and Romania completed their negotations to join the Union in January 2007.
Today, the responsibilities of the EU include agriculture, fishing, industrial and social development, culture, environmental issues, external trade, human rights, public heath, justice and security.
EXERCISES:
1. Wich were the first countries to create a European Economic Community?
The first countries are: France, Belguim, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, West Germany and Italy.
2. What were the aims of the founding members of the EEC?
Their objectirs was to increase, economic delofment and prevent another war.
3. How many members states did the EEC have in 1973?
nine states.
4. When did Bulgaria and Romania join the EU?
In January, 2007.
5. What was significant about 2002?
Using the euro.