The Evolution and Expansion of the European Union

The European Economic Community

The Marshall Plan required that beneficiary countries manage aid distribution. This led to the creation of the Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) in 1948, later renamed the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 1961. A year later, ten Western European countries formed the Council of Europe. The Benelux Union (1948) and the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) (1951) were direct precursors to the EEC.

The Treaty of Rome and the EEC

The Treaty of Rome, signed in 1957, established the EEC. The six signatory countries were Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy, France, and Germany.

From Six to Twelve Members

The EEC expanded from six to twelve members over nearly thirty years: Denmark, Ireland, and the UK joined in 1973 (Europe of the Nine), followed by Greece in 1981 and Portugal and Spain in 1986 (Europe of the Twelve). The inclusion of these Southern European countries with less developed economies represented a significant cooperative effort.

Europe in the Late 1980s

Europe faced challenges in the 1980s. The fall of the Iron Curtain brought new momentum to the Union. During this period, efforts to harmonize the economies of new members faced resistance from some existing members. The European economy remained vulnerable due to its dependence on other countries for raw materials and hydrocarbons. The Iron Curtain divided the continent. From 1989 onwards, the situation changed dramatically: communist systems in Eastern Europe collapsed, Germany reunified, and the USSR disintegrated.

The European Union

The European Community (EC) established a customs union and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In 1992, the Maastricht Treaty transformed the EC into the European Union (EU), expanding beyond economic unity to encompass a broader political identity. Key aspects of the Maastricht Treaty included the creation of European citizenship and the adoption of a single currency. Austria, Sweden, and Finland later joined, creating the EU-15.

Expansion in the 21st Century

The 21st century witnessed significant EU expansion. The largest enlargement occurred in 2004 with the accession of ten new members: Czech Republic, Cyprus, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, and Poland. In 2007, Bulgaria and Romania joined, expanding the EU to twenty-seven members.

Uncertainties for the Future

Questions remain about the EU’s capacity to integrate new members. The euro became the single currency in twelve countries in 2002. Concerns persist about the non-adoption of the euro by some member states and its stability, particularly against external pressures. The Lisbon Treaty enabled the EU to sign international agreements. Europeans perceive threats from counterfeiting, terrorism, and organized crime. Balancing security and liberty remains a delicate challenge.