The role and function of the European Community

Essay by pikenUniversity, Bachelor'sC-, May 2006

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After suffering from two world wars between 1914 and 1945, Europe was longing for a peaceful future. The Western European Countries wanted to make sure they would never fight each other again by establishing a unique partnership where they would work closely together for the benefit of all their citizens. Beside peace and stability the major goal was to establish a basis to ease the trade between countries. In 1957, six countries (Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy and the Netherlands) joined together to create the European Economic Community (EEC). The EEC later became the European Union (EU) The fifth enlargement of the EU, which has started in May 2004, will be completed when, as expected, Romania and Bulgaria are acceded in 2007 (European Commission).

Article 6 of the Treaty establishing the European Union, henceforth 'Treaty', states the principles, the European Union is based upon:

'The Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are common to the Member States.'

The Treaty defines its objectives in Article 2:

"The Community shall have as its task, by establishing a common market and an economic and monetary union and by implementing common policies or activities referred to in Articles 3 and 4, to promote throughout the Community a harmonious, balanced and sustainable development of economic activities, a high level of employment and of social protection, equality between men and women, sustainable and non-inflationary growth, a high degree of competitiveness and convergence of economic performance, a high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment, the raising of the standard of living and quality of life, and economic and social cohesion and solidarity among Member States."

The institutions of the Community are governed through Article 7...