Which countries were the original members of the European Economic Community?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Map showing the countries of Europe with national capitals and surrounding bodies of water, including the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea. — Europe Political map of Europe.

The European Economic Community (EEC) was established by the Treaty of Rome, which was signed on March 25, 1957. The six original member countries were:

Belgium
France
Italy
Luxembourg
The Netherlands
The Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)12

These nations, which were already members of the European Coal and Steel Community, created the EEC to establish a common market and customs union, effectively laying the groundwork for the modern European Union.12