50 Nifty Years: The EU Celebrates Its Golden Anniversary

pO157.

Posted to Etcetera on Fri Mar 30, 2007 at 02:45:03 AM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.

They came from all over, including Ethiopia, to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

Established on March 25, 1957 by the Treaty of Rome, originally as the European Economic Community, by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. Its goals were originally to work toward the eventual union of member nations by allowing free trade, movement of goods and services, and international co-operation.  It was later expanded, and became the current European Union via the The Maastricht Treaty in 1992, currently spanning 27 states and allowing for fewer restrictions on passport control and travel, commerce, and a unified currency, among others. With a population of almost half a billion citizens, and a GDP of €11.5 ($15.0) trillion it has become quite the economic powerhouse.

There have been some bumps along the way. The EU constitution remains in a holding pattern after suffering defeats from France and the Netherlands. Not all members have accepted its currency. Some commentators note that while the EU may become an economic powerhouse, it has yet to build its military muscle. However, while there is uncertainty as to where the future will lead the EU, it looks bright for a new economic power as the spirit of cooperation spreads across the continent.