EUS

EUs is an informal plural used to refer to the European Union, a political and economic union of European states formed to promote peace, security, and shared prosperity. The EU consists of 27 member states. The United Kingdom withdrew in 2020, reducing the number from 28 to 27. The union operates through common institutions, laws, and policies that apply across its territory.

Origins lie in postwar efforts to foster integration. The Maastricht Treaty in 1993 established the modern EU, expanding cooperation beyond economics to foreign policy, justice, and internal affairs. Since then, the union has widened through several enlargements, mostly in Central and Southern Europe, and remains open to eligible countries that meet its political and economic criteria.

Its core institutions are the European Commission (proposing legislation), the European Parliament (elected), the Council of the European Union (member governments) and the European Council (heads of state or government), the Court of Justice, and the European Central Bank for euro-area matters. The ordinary legislative procedure guides most laws, with the Parliament and Council sharing power.

The EU operates a single internal market aimed at four freedoms: goods, services, capital, and people. It maintains a customs union and common policies on competition, agriculture, environment, regional development, and external trade. External relations cover diplomacy, development aid, and security cooperation.

Twenty EU member states use the euro, forming the euro area; others retain national currencies. The EU budget is financed by member contributions and other revenues and is planned over multiannual financial frameworks.

EU law has primacy over national law in areas of Union competence, and membership requires adherence to the rule of law and democratic norms. The EU operates in a global context, negotiating trade agreements and addressing shared challenges such as climate change and migration.