About EU

The European Union (EU) is a union of twenty-seven independent states based on the European Communities and founded to enhance political, economic and social co-operation. The EU was formerly known as European Community (EC) or European Economic Community (EEC). The current state of integration is the result of the gradual Community building process begun by the Six in the 1950s.

Member states (EUR: Euro currency): Austria (EUR) - member since 1995, Belgium (EUR) - member since 1951, Denmark - member since 1973, Finland (EUR) - member since 1995, France (EUR) - member since 1951, Germany (EUR) - member since 1951, Greece (EUR) - member since 1981, Ireland (EUR) - member since 1973, Italy (EUR) - member since 1951, Luxembourg (EUR)-member since 1951, Netherlands (EUR) -member since 1951, Portugal (EUR) - member since 1986, Spain (EUR) - member since 1986, Sweden - member since 1995, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - member since 1973.

Ten countries have joined the EU on 2004-05-01: Cyprus (Greek part), the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Another two countries have joined the EU on 2007-01-01: Romania and Bulgaria.