In September 1946, Winston Churchill, at a speech at the University of Zurich, presented a project to establish lasting peace on the European continent. He called on Europeans to build a "United States of Europe." These words can be considered the starting point in the formation of the European Union.
The need to create an alliance
Torn by two bloody wars of the first half of the twentieth century, lying in ruins, Europe longed for peace. European states have experienced the tragedy of resolving disagreements by armed means, and have realized the harmfulness of this path.
A stable peace in Europe then seemed impossible. France and Germany have been at enmity for decades. This enmity was both the result and the cause of several wars on the European continent. First of all, it was necessary to solve this problem - to reconcile old enemies.
The first union of post-war Europe
The first step towards the formation of the European Union was the agreement on the establishment of the European Community of Coal and Steel, concluded in Paris in 1951. France, Germany, Italy and the Benelux countries became members of the union . The Paris contract created a community that specialized in two industries: coal mining and steel.
Economic union or international control?
It is not necessary to be a supporter of conspiracy theory in order to see in the formation of this union not so much the pursuit of economic benefits as the desire to transfer, under international control, industries that are capable of promoting a new arms race on the European continent.
The post-war constitutions of West Germany, Italy and France had limitations on sovereignty. Restrictions were also imposed on German heavy industry, which did not allow the country's economy to develop rapidly. The Union, created under the Paris Treaty, made it possible to circumvent this dilemma easily and elegantly. Common community institutions have been created for management and control.
In the history of the formation of the European Union, this stage was decisive.
Creating a common market
March 25, 1957, these same six countries create the European Economic Union. The idea of the EEC is to create a single market on the European continent with a gradual reduction in customs duties up to their cancellation for the member countries of the EEC. The maximum objective was to create conditions for the duty-free movement of goods, services, capital and unimpeded labor migration. The memorandum of association also emphasized that the union seeks common policies for member states, especially in the field of agriculture.
At the beginning of 1958, the governing bodies of the EEC were created: the European Commission, the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament, and the Court of European Communities.
July 1, 1968 the Customs Union of the EEC enters into force. From this moment on, customs duties between Member States have been completely abolished. Unified customs duties are now imposed on goods from third countries. The foundation has been laid for the largest retail space in the world. The consequences are impressive: between 1957 and 1970, domestic trade doubled. EEC trade with the rest of the world is tripling. Consumers directly benefit from the abundance of an assortment of imported goods.
The creation of a free trade free zone for the member countries of this union has become an important stage in the formation of the European Union of a modern type.
EEC expansion
In 1973, the first expansion of the EEC took place: Great Britain, Ireland and Denmark entered the union. Eight years later, Greece joined the European Economic Union, in 1986 - Spain and Portugal.
On November 9, 1989, the event that Europe least expected was the fall of the Berlin Wall. Prior to this, Hungary dismantled the defensive fortifications on the border with Austria. Before Europe, formerly divided into two economic blocks, a vast market opened up, not spoiled by the variety of assortment. Old Europe did not want to miss such a chance. It was necessary to make adjustments to the union, taking into account modern realities.
Maastricht Treaty
February 7, 1992 is the day of signing the Maastricht Treaty. It is considered the official date of formation of the European Union. From now on, the official name is approved.
The agreement defines the procedures for intergovernmental cooperation to coordinate actions in the field of foreign and domestic policy, security and justice of the EU member states. In these areas, states retain full sovereignty.
1992 entered the history of the Old World as the year of the formation of the European Union.
At the 1993 Copenhagen Summit, the criteria were defined that countries wishing to join the EU must meet. These are mainly countries in Eastern and Central Europe that are trying to join the community.
January 1, 2002 in all countries except Denmark, Sweden and the UK, a single currency was introduced - the euro.
In May 2004, after a long stage of negotiations between the EU and each of the candidate countries, 10 new states became members of the European Union.
Constitutional Treaty for Europe
For the Union of twenty-five member states, the Declaration on the Future of Europe was clearly not enough. In February 2002, the European Conference began work. After 16 months of work, the text of the draft Constitutional Treaty was agreed. On October 29, 2004, the Constitutional Treaty for Europe was signed. An attempt to adopt the EU Constitution was unsuccessful. The ratification procedure in some countries has failed.
Current problems of the European Union
The main problems of the modern European Union are related to the imbalance between the expansion and deepening of integration processes. By increasing the number of Member States to 28 countries, the Union was unable to strengthen its political institutions to a level corresponding to the needs of integration, the number and heterogeneity of members.
A long road to education and the current problems of the European Union are inevitable for organizations uniting a large number of countries. The union brought together the peoples of Western and Eastern Europe. Different historical roots, religion, mentality - all this creates problems that need to be addressed.
Over the past decade, the EU has faced a series of economic and political crises. This led to an increase in Euro-skepticism in society, which further complicated the ability of the European Union to solve numerous external and internal problems.
Among the most significant issues that need to be addressed:
- UK exit from the EU;
- threat of terrorism;
- problems of migration and social integration of refugees;
- problems of democracy and the rule of law in Eastern Europe;
- Trump launched the trade war.
Against this difficult political and economic background, the inability of the EU leadership to quickly make informed and economically sound decisions became apparent. Many observers argue that the breadth and complexity of these issues is unprecedented. The way the EU reacts can have long-term consequences not only for the EU itself, but also for its strategic and economic partners.
Most experts consider the complete dissolution of the EU unlikely. But voices are heard claiming that some aspects of integration can be stopped. Others argue that the many crises facing the EU will make the union more effective and cohesive.