The European Economic Community was a regional organization. EEC countries have come together to deepen and expand integration. And this goal has been achieved. The successor to the EEC is the European Union, which completely absorbed this regional organization in 2009.
EEC countries: list
Initially, the European Economic Community included six states. Among them are Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Germany. In 1993, the organization was renamed the European Community as its scope expanded. The number of EEC countries at the time of their termination is 12. Among them are the following:
- Founding countries: Belgium, France, Germany (after the merger - Germany), Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands.
- Denmark.
- Ireland.
- United Kingdom.
- Greece.
- Portugal.
- Spain.
Member States had representatives in each structural unit of the organization.
History of creation
In 1951, the Paris Agreement was signed . It marked the emergence of the European Coal and Steel Community. This is the first association of a whole galaxy. It was based on the principle of supranationalism and international law. It was created with the aim of further integrating the economies of its members and preventing wars.
It was originally planned to create two more communities: defense and political. However, the countries did not reach an agreement on their concept. It was decided to focus on economic integration, not political. In 1957, the Rome Agreement was signed. It stipulated the creation of the EEC and the European Atomic Energy Community. The objective of the first organization was the formation of a customs union between the countries, and the second was the promotion of cooperation in the nuclear field. Already in 1962, the countries of the EEC set general prices for agricultural products. This was the first significant achievement of the community. In 1968, EEC countries abolished tariffs on certain groups of goods.
As for the expansion, already in 1961, Ireland, Norway and the United Kingdom applied for membership in the organization. However, they were rejected. France vetoed their entry. In 1967, four countries reapplied. In 1973, Denmark, the UK and Ireland were included in the EEC. A referendum was held in Norway, and citizens voted against joining the European Economic Community. In 1975, Greece filed an application. She joined the organization in 1981. Then Spain and Portugal asked for membership in the EEC. They joined the European Economic Community in 1986. In 1987, Turkey filed an application. However, its process of joining the EEC, and now the EU, has not yet been completed. In 1993, the organization was renamed in order to reflect the expanding field of activity. Then, now, the European Community has become one of the three pillars of the EU. In 2009, the Lisbon Agreement was signed, according to which the EEC was absorbed by the latter.
Goals
The countries of the EEC, as stated in the preamble to the Rome Agreement, have come together to preserve peace and freedom and create the basis for a closer union of the people of Europe. Integration was supposed to contribute to more balanced economic growth. To achieve the stated goals, the following activities were planned:
- Creation of a customs union with a common external tariff.
- Establishment of a single policy in the field of agriculture, transport, trade, including standardization.
- The expansion of the EEC throughout Europe.
Achievements
The agreement helped reduce customs tariffs by 10% and 20% of import quotas globally. It was planned to spend 12 years to achieve the established goals, but everything happened much faster. France faced some difficulties because of the war with Algeria, but for the remaining members this period was quite successful.
Structure
Initially, there were three bodies (Council, Parliament, Commission) that performed executive and legislative functions, and one legal (Court). All of them were created at the time of the organization. Then an audit body was added to them in 1975. In 1993, the EEC became one of the three pillars of the EU. To date, the structure of the bodies of this regional organization is fully integrated into the European Union and no longer operate separately.