The European Union was formed to boost the relations between the governments of the European countries and strengthen the trade and commerce ties between the countries of Europe. All the countries of Europe felt the need to have a unique European national identity in the middle of the 20th century. It was the sole aim of the European continent to become an international and trading superpower that prompted the erstwhile West Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg to form a strategic economic partnership known as the European Coal and Steel Community in July 1952.
The blueprint for the present-day European Union was made when these six countries signed the Treaty of Paris in April 1951. It was previously known as the European Economic Community or the Common Market (the British nickname of the EU.) A European customs union was established in 1957, after the members signed the Treaty of Rome. It was established on January 1, 1958. It was renamed the European Community (a pillar of the European Union) after the members signed the Maastricht Treaty.
The blueprint for the present-day European Union was made when these six countries signed the Treaty of Paris in April 1951. It was previously known as the European Economic Community or the Common Market (the British nickname of the EU.) A European customs union was established in 1957, after the members signed the Treaty of Rome. It was established on January 1, 1958. It was renamed the European Community (a pillar of the European Union) after the members signed the Maastricht Treaty.
