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The European Union was founded as a result of the cooperation and
integration processes among six countries (Belgium, Germany, France,
Italy, Luxemburg and The Nederlands) which commenced in 1951. After nearly
fifty years and six waves of enlargement (1973 Denmark, United Kingdom and
Ireland, 1981 Greece, 1986 Spain and Portugal, 1995. Austria, Finland and
Sweden, 2004. Slovenia, Poland, Hungary, Check Republic, Slovakia,
Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Cyprus and Malta and 2007. Bulgaria and
Romania ) nowadays EU has 27 member states.
The mission of European Union is to organize relationships among its
member states and their citizens on the principle of solidarity.
The main goals are as follows:
- The promotion of economic and social progress (The Single market was
founded in 1993, the common currency was adopted in 1999);
- Representing the European Union identity at international scene
(providing EU assistance to non member states, common international and
security resolution, actions in international crisis, common position
towards international organizations);
- Representing European citizenship (which do not alter national
citizenship);
- Ensuring of security, freedom and justice;
- Maintaining and creating EU law;
The European Union primary concerns are situating individuals and their
interests in the very heart of European Integration. European institutions
consider that protection of fundamental rights represents basic principle
of EU law and they have developed legislature on free movement of people
within European Union. With the Treaty of Maastricht the linkage between
citizens in member states and EU has become closer with the creation of
concept of European citizenship, which has comprised a series of citizens
and political rights.
The Treaty of Amsterdam which additionally clarifies connection between
national citizenship and European citizenship provided that these rights
have been further developed. .
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