The European Union (EU) is an international organization of 27 European countries with shared economic, social, and security policies.
The EU was formed through the Maastricht Treaty, which took effect on November 1, 1993. The treaty was created to increase European political and economic integration through a single currency (the euro), a unified foreign and security policy, common citizenship rights, and increased cooperation on immigration, asylum, and judicial affairs.
The EU has several key institutions: * The Council of the European Union, a legislative body representing member states. * The European Parliament, with legislative and supervisory roles. * The European Commission, an executive body.