European Union(EU):The Paradoxical Alliance
What We Are Going To Discuss: Historical Foundations of the European Union Recent Initiatives and Developments in the EU Global Reactions and Responses to EU Policies 1. Historical Foundations of the European Union The European Union (EU) originated after World War II, aiming to foster economic cooperation and prevent future conflicts. It began with the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951, formed by Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands to integrate their coal and steel industries. In 1957, the Treaty of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC), promoting a common market. The Merger Treaty in 1965 unified the institutions of the ECSC and EEC. The Single European Act of 1986 aimed to establish a single market by 1992, facilitating the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital. The Maastricht Treaty in 1993 formally established the EU and introduced the criteria for adopting the Euro. The late 1980s a...