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Know the origin of the European Union
The history of one of the most important organizations in the world
The European Union, which today brings together 27 member countries, is one of the most important supranational organizations in the world, where the main decisions that affect the European continent are made; in political, economic, and social matters.
The importance of this body increases when there are periods of crisis, as was seen with the Covid-19 pandemic, and as can be seen today, with the conflict in Russia and Ukraine.
The European Union has been an organization with important historical foundations, born from the need to unify several countries, which in other times were in struggle.
The union was sought to avoid major conflicts, and to face the emerging powers at the time of its formation; allowing the main European countries to respond unanimously.
The history of the European Union
First vestiges of union
The EEC, or European Economic Community, is the direct antecedent of the current European Union, however, the European Union was already in the minds of some people several centuries before.
However, it is necessary to bring up a period as far away as the V century BC, since it could be said; the Greeks formed the first "European" union in history, which would prevent the conquest of the Persians on this continent.
Many have speculated that without the creation of the Panhellenic League, developed in the current territory of Greece, to prevent the Persian invasion and conquest of these territories; perhaps the Europe we know today would not exist as such.
On the other hand, the philosopher from Königsberg, Germany, Immanuele Kant, in his writing entitled "On Perpetual Peace", would develop the idea of a union of nations, which would perpetuate peace in the world.
This writing was developed in 1795, being published in a period, when war was a very important part of Europe.
The League of Nations or Society of Nations, composed in 1920 in Switzerland, is the main antecedent of the UN. However, it can be considered to some extent a precursor to the European Union, being the first body of nations, which had been formed to date.
European Union Background
As the old adage says “unity is strength”, a phrase understood by the old European powers, that if they continued down the path of war, they ran the risk of ending their existence; beginning after the Second World War, several unions of European countries were created.
By 1948 the Benelux Economic Union began, an acronym for Belgium, the Netherlands (Nederlands), and Luxembourg; who signed an agreement, where they shared common economic policies, lightening border taxes; promoting strength and unity between these countries.
The success of this first organization inspired countries like West Germany, France and Italy to create a bloc of nations, where they would share steel and coal.
These important resources were the reason for different historical conflicts between Germans and French, such as the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, where they would fight for the regions of Alsace and Lorraine, with important mines of these resources.
This body was called the European Coal and Steel Community (CECA), where the Benelux bloc would join, in addition to the three countries mentioned above. With this agreement, the production of steel and coal in the member countries would be of mutual benefit to all.
One of the main architects of this organization, initiated with the Paris Treaty of 1952, would be the Frenchman Robert Schuman, who opted for a unity in Europe, to avoid new warlike confrontations, and to make cooperation between countries the main policy of the European continent.
The European Economic Community, the genesis of the European Union
With the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1952, the first European parliamentary actions would begin, which would shape the European Parliament, and other important institutions; such as the European Commission and the Council of Ministers.
As this body was consolidating its actions, by 1957 cooperation would increase, signing the Treaty of Rome, which would stipulate common commercial laws, to improve the quality of life of the member countries, among other functions.
About these functions that touched on integration, we can point out:
Matters related to nuclear energy.
The free movement of people, capital and goods between member countries, (begun in the 1990s).
A common agricultural policy.
Common Transportation Policy.
With these measures, it was hoped to promote the economic and social progress of these countries.
New accessions to the EEC
In the 1970s, the first adhesions to the six member countries of the EEC would begin ; they would be the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark, which were part of another integration organization, which had not had the desired success.
The United Kingdom had very deep ties with the United States, so in the first instance, it would refuse to join the EEC, since its relations with the North American country offered it great advantages.
With the annexation of these three countries and the development of the parliamentary assembly, in 1979 the first elections for the European Parliament would take place, electing the citizens of the member countries, the first MEPs in history.
Who would be in charge of presiding over this chamber of European deputies, would be Simone Veil, the first woman president of the European Parliament.
The 1980s would bring new members to the EEC, namely Greece in 1981, Spain and Portugal in 1986.
The birth of the European Union
From the European Economic Community to the EU
In the 1990s, the foundations were laid for the EEC to make its way to the European Union.
It would be in 1992 with the Maastricht Treaty, where the single European currency would be created, the Euro, which would come into force in the member countries, on January 1, 2002, with the exception of the United Kingdom and Denmark, who kept their own currencies..
This period would be in which European citizens would cross the borders of the countries, although it had been stipulated in previous treaties; it would begin to be a reality from the last decade of the 20th century, starting in 1995 with seven countries.
This same year Austria, Finland and Sweden would enter the European Union ; which would mean almost all of Western Europe, which would be covered by the European Union in 2004, with the annexation of 10 countries.
Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Cyprus, Hungary, Malta, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovakia and Slovenia, would be the new members of the European Union; bringing to 25 the number of member countries.
In 2007, two more countries would join: Bulgaria and Romania, who together with Croatia in 2013, would be the last countries to join the European Union.
In the 21st century, the European Union has helped member countries and the world to face common problems, such as: climate change, the fight against terrorism, economic crises, and policies to face Covid-19.
In each of these situations, the European Parliament has acquired a prominent role, signaling what its voters think on each of these points.
The news of the European Union
Brexit, the exit of the United Kingdom
On June 23, 2016, the British citizenship referendum took place, which would indicate whether they wanted to continue or should leave the European Union, winning the option of leaving the union, beginning a long process of negotiation between the parties.
On March 29, 2017, this process would begin, since the United Kingdom notified the European Union of its position to leave the organization, beginning negotiations that would last two years, so that the United Kingdom would leave the European Union in an orderly manner..
On December 24, 2020, both parties reached a trade and cooperation agreement, which would be in force from January 1, 2021.
Brexit and the geopolitical news of the European Union
The conflict in Russia and Ukraine has caused the United Kingdom and the European Union to have new talks about their mutual cooperation agreements.
Since Brexit came into force, there have been several changes such as the flight of immigrants who have decided to go to countries of the European Union, or the difficulty of entry of European immigrants.
However, at present, motivated by the war, there have been several rapprochements between both parties, although Brexit is still in force.
Ukraine and the European Union
Another chapter of current interest on the European Union is the annexation of Ukraine to the organization, which brought different problems with the Russian Federation, since the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, uses the excuse of this possible annexation as a threat to the territory of Russia.
Since 2014, the first approaches have been made for Ukraine to be part of the European Union, however, due to different conflicts, pressures, political situations, etc., annexation has been very difficult.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory, Ukrainian President Volodímir Zelensky has asked the European Union to reflect a clear position on the annexation of his country, in this organization.
However, the latest meetings of member countries held in Versailles have indicated that annexation to Ukraine will have to wait, although they will continue to support the country in different ways.
One of the causes that prevent Ukraine's accession to the European Union is that certain prerequisites must be followed in order to be part of this supranational body.
Requirements to be part of the European Union
Being a European country.
Have institutions and governments that are democratic.
Promote free trade economic policies.
Accept the Euro as official currency.
Adopt the legislation of the European Union.
Ability to meet the obligations contracted, as a member country of the European Union.
To be accepted as a member country, in addition to these requirements, it will be necessary for the parties to negotiate on 35 chapters, referring to different areas of action of the European Union; to then create an Accession Treaty, which must be signed by all member countries.
List of member countries of the European Union
Germany.
France.
Belgium.
Luxembourg.
Italy.
Netherlands.
Ireland.
Denmark.
Greece.
Spain.
Portugal.
Austria.
Sweden.
Hungary.
Finland.
Bulgaria.
Cyprus.
Malt.
Poland.
Lithuania.
Slovakia.
Slovenia.
Estonia.
Romania.
Croatia.
The countries Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland, are part of the countries of the European Economic Area.
United Kingdom after its departure, has agreed cooperation treaties.
The candidates awaiting their accession to the European Union, are:
Albanian.
North Macedonia.
Montenegrin.
Serbian.
Turkey.
