Rómarsáttmálanum

The Rómarsáttmálinn, or the Treaty of Rome, was a foundational agreement signed on March 25, 1957, by six European countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. Its primary purpose was to establish the European Economic Community (EEC), often referred to as the "Common Market." The treaty aimed to create a unified economic area by progressively eliminating customs duties and other trade barriers among the member states and by establishing a common external tariff.

Beyond economic integration, the Rómarsáttmálinn also laid the groundwork for closer political cooperation. It established institutions such as the European Commission, the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament, and the Court of Justice of the European Communities, which would evolve into the key organs of the European Union. The treaty's principles included the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people among member states. The Rómarsáttmálinn represented a significant step towards European integration, moving beyond mere economic cooperation to encompass a broader vision of a united Europe. It has since been amended and supplemented by subsequent treaties, forming the legal basis for the modern European Union.