THE EUROPEAN UNION
Some 50 years after the signing of the Treaty of Rome which established the six country member European Economic Community, there are now 27 members of what has become known as the European Union. Much larger than ever expected the EU has also achieved much deeper levels of integration in both economic and political arenas than was considered possible in 1957.
EU legislation now influences the lives of citizens in its Member States in almost every aspect. The Union's 'acquis communitaire' enshrines the rights and obligations that all members and potential members must accept and honour. The draw of EU membership has played a major role in the spread of democracy and stability in the Central and Eastern European countries following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The single market and the single currency have led to a highly integrated economic area that is capable of competing with the largest economies in the world. The creation and distribution of EU Structural Funds have assisted in the continuing convergence of rich and poor economies and standards of living.
The European Union is not perfect; membership and the extent of EU power continue to be contentious issues in many of its Member States. How does enlargement affect the existing Member States? How can nations ensure that their voice continues to be heard? How can decisions be made without getting lost in a quagmire of bureaucracy and political wrangling? How can the EU engage its citizens more effectively? These are all challenges facing the EU as it looks toward the future and there are no easy answers as integration on the scale of the EU is unique and unprecedented.
The European Union is ever changing, learning and evolving and it is only through this process that the EU can continue to spread political and economic stability throughout the continent, retain its influence on the world stage and continue to compete with the world's largest economies.