After World War II, there were many efforts to keep the European countries together, to achieve economic growth and military security. A series of such efforts and treaties eventually led to the creation of the European Union. EU, as it is commonly addressed, was initially confined to Western Europe alone. Economically speaking, its initial years saw the very meagre participation of just a handful of countries like Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Today, the Union spreads across the length and breadth of the entire continent by including many other countries.
Officially established in 1993, this international organization now comprises 27-member countries with a total population of about 447 million spread across a total area of 4,233,255.3 square kilometres.
The EU is generally acknowledged as a sui generis political entity and characterizes the features of either a federation or a confederation. Sui generis is a Latin expression that means ‘unique’, something that has no comparison.
Ever since its inception, the EU has come a long way in the integration of Europe. It has established a common internal market for all the member countries by standardising the trade law system and framing standard policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries, and regional development. This internal market system ensures the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital. The EU also enacts legislative measures on matters of justice and home affairs.
It also plays a decisive role in international cooperation and is the world’s largest donor of development aid.
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