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What is the European Union?

The European Union is an economic and political association with 28 European member States. It reinforces values such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law and human rights. The main goals of this international organization are:

  • Promote peace, its values and the well-being of its citizens.

  • Achieve a sustainable development development based on balanced economic growth and price stability, a highly competitive market economy with full employment and social progress, and environmental protection.

  • Enhance economic, social and territorial cohesion and solidarity among member countries.

The Euro is the official currency of most of its member States (19 out of 28). This is called the Eurozone, that we should difference it from the Schengen border-free area. The last one is the territory of the European Union where its citizens can move freely, what means there are not internal borders. 

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The predecessor of the EU was the European Coal and Steel Community, created after the Second World War to regulate their industrial production under a centralised authority.

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This union culminates with the creation in 1958 of the European Economic Community, that will increase international economic cooperation between (initially) six countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Since then, 22 other members joined and a huge single market (also known as the 'internal' market) has been created and continues to develop towards its full potential.

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In 1993, the European Union was founded by the Maastricht Treaty. Not only as an economic union but also as an organization spanning policy areas, from climate and environment to justice, integration or health and security.

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Its beginnings

The Euro and the Schengen area

European Union Flag

The Euro is the official currency of most of its member States (19 out of 28). This is called the Eurozone, that we should difference it from the Schengen border-free area. The last one is the territory of the European Union where its citizens can move freely, what means there are not internal borders. 

The Eurozone

The Schengen Area

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