CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
The European Union is a group of European countries, committed to work together for peace and prosperity. The historical roots of the European Union (EU) lie in the Second World War. "It was proposed by the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in 1950 to prevent killing and destruction from ever happening again". At the beginning co-operation between EU countries was about trade and the economy.
The Euro is the name of the single European currency that was put into circulation on January1, 2002. The Euro has replaced the old national currencies in EU countries. Having a single currency makes it easier to travel and compare prices, and it provides a stable environment for European business. You can travel, study and work wherever you want in the European countries, if you are an EU citizen. In EU you can travel without carrying a passport and being stopped for check at the borders. You may buy anything you want, anywhere you want and take it back home with you.
History of EU
After the fall of Constantinople (Istanbul) to Turks in 1453, the first proposal for peaceful methods of unifying Europe against a common enemy emerged.
King of Bohemia proposed the creation of a union of Christian nations against the Turks in 1464.
In 1728 Abbot Charles de Saint-Pierre proposed the creation of a European League of 18 Sovereign states, with common treasury, no borders and an economic union.
In 1923 the Austrian Count Caudenhove-Kalergi founded the Movement Pan-Europa and hosted the first Paneuropean Congress held in Vienna. The Great Depression, rise of Fascism and World War II prev ...