The European Union (EU) is an international political community created on November 1, 1993, with the entry into force of the Treaty on European Union. The process of its creation was very complex and dates back to the end of the Second World War, thanks to the impulse of personalities such as the French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman.
The union is currently made up of twenty-seven members. It is important to note that this community does not cover the entire European continent: that is, there are countries in Europe that are not members of the EU, such as Switzerland or Norway. On the other hand, some regions that are not part of the geographical territory of the EU, such as French Guiana or Guadeloupe, are part of the bloc.
There are several symbols that identify and represent the European Union, one of the most important being its flag. This is blue and on it is placed a circle of twelve golden stars. A number that was chosen because it is considered the one that traditionally means unity and perfection. However, we cannot forget that another of the identifying symbols of this organization is its anthem. It is the “Ode to Joy”, a poetic composition that was written by Friedrich von Schiller and later set to music by the great master Beethoven. Its motto (United in diversity) and Europe Day (May 9) are other symbols of the European Union. The political and legal system of the EU is very complex, with mechanisms and regulations that have been modified several times throughout history. Its structure constitutes a kind of supranational government, with seven main institutions: the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council of the EU, the Court of Justice of the EU, the Court of Auditors and the European Central Bank. In addition to the institutions mentioned above, we cannot forget the existence of other equally important bodies within the European Union. This would be the case, for example, of the European Ombudsman, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Investment Bank or the Committee of the Regions. Most of the member countries of the EU share the same currency (the euro) and form what is known as the eurozone. However, members like Great Britain still have their own currency (in this case, the British pound). As far as languages are concerned, it must be clear that there are 24 official languages in the European Union. However, it is true that, as a general rule, in certain institutions, such as the European Commission, it is customary to work in languages such as Spanish, English, French and German.
Added to this is the fact that it is the most widespread sport in the European Union, which is why there is a competition at that level: the UEFA Champions League. Official candidates for EU membership in the coming years include Turkey, Croatia and the Republic of Macedonia.
