In its relatively short history, the European Union has increased in size with the entry of new members and in scope with the enlargement of its political responsibilities. Today, its main constitutional objectives are "... to promote economic and social progress, ... to assert its identity on the international scene, ...to introduce a citizenship of the Union, to develop close cooperation on justice and home affairs..." as spelled out by the Treaty on European Union. For the next few years, the EU has three major priorities : introduce the single currency, prepare for new members and define its future shape.

In the beginning there were six members who joined to form economic partnerships under the European Coal and Steel Community. Today there are fifteen European countries bound together politically and economically to form the European Union.  The 1992 Treaty on European Union took the process of European integration one step further, paving the way for the introduction of a single currency and setting up new political structures to fulfil its responsibilities as a leading global power in arapid changing world.

History of the European Union

    Brief Chronology of the moves towards European integration

Structure of the European Union

Facts about the European Union

Useful and Informational links about the European Union

Maps of the European Union