The original European Union (then called the EEC European Economic Council) was composed of 6 founder members.
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
The EEC came into existence with the Treaty of Rome 1954. Since then the EU has expanded its borders taking in most European Countries. Enlargement has generally been seen as a positive thing. Although, there have been concerns raised over the expansion into Eastern Europe (disparities in income have encouraged cross border migration. The big question which remains, is whether to admit Turkey into the EU club. This is a significant step because of the different religious (Muslim) and cultural background of Turkey.
First Enlargement of EEC 1973
- Denmark
- Ireland
- United Kingdom (The UK tried to join in the 1960s, but, De Gaulle famously said ‘non’)
Second Enlargement of EEC 1981
- Greece
Third Enlargement of EEC 1986
- Portugal
- Spain
Fourth Enlargement of EU 1995
- Austria
- Finland
- Sweden
Fifth Enlargement of EU 2004
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Hungary
- Lativa
- Lithuania
- Malta
- Poland
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
Sixth Enlargement of EU 2006
- Bulgaria
- Romania
Seventh Enlargement of EU 2013
- Croatia
Notable Non Members of the EU
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Turkey
- UK (left 2020)
May Join EU Some Day
- Albania
- Belarus
- Bosnia
- Georgia
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Montengro
- Serbia
- Ukraine
Left the European Union (EU)
- UK 2020
Related Notes
- European Union revision notes
- Arguments for Leaving EU
- Costs and Benefits of EU