Rómarsáttmálinn

Rómarsáttmálinn, also known as the Treaty of Rome, is a foundational document in the history of European integration. It was signed on March 25, 1957, by six founding member states: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. The treaty established the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC), commonly known as Euratom.

The primary objective of the EEC was to create a common market, facilitating the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people among member states. This aimed to foster economic growth, stability, and closer cooperation. Euratom was established to coordinate research and development in nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

The Treaty of Rome laid out the institutional framework for these communities, including the European Commission, the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament (initially an advisory body), and the Court of Justice of the European Communities. These institutions were designed to manage the common market and develop common policies.

The treaty was a significant step beyond the earlier European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) established by the Treaty of Paris in 1951. It broadened the scope of economic integration and set a precedent for further expansion and deepening of cooperation among European nations. The principles and institutions established by the Treaty of Rome have evolved considerably over the decades, forming the basis of the modern European Union.

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