ABSTRACT

The European Union (EU) now comprises 27 Member States with a population of nearly 500 million people. As will be seen below, the original three Communities arose from the desire to put the raw materials of war beyond the control of the nation state once and for all and to unite previously warring nations within a community which would foster not only peace and security but also economic growth and raised standards of living for all its peoples. The European Union – of which the European Community was the largest and most developed part – is based on the rule of law, the protection of individual human rights and a common European Union citizenship. For over half a century, the European project has fostered political and economic integration, while retaining respect for the individuality and identity of its Member States. Economically nowadays the Union represents a leading trading power – a position which could not be achieved by any of the Member States acting alone. A common currency – the Euro – was introduced in 1999. The ambitions of the Union have extended far beyond the original objectives of a common market for goods and services and now include common foreign and security policy and extensive co-operation between the police and authorities of the Member States.