In spite of the failure of the European Community of defense (CED), European construction takes a decisive turn with the operational startup of ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community) to the beginning of the year 1950, and especially with the Treaty of Rome of March 1957, which establishes the European Economic community with six (France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy and the Federal Republic of Germany).

During years 1960, the introduction of the relaxation authorizes the widening of the Common Market to Great Britain, Ireland and Denmark (Summit of $the Hague, December 1973). The Community with six transforms itself officially into Europe of the Nine. With the coming into effect of the European Monetary System in March 1979, then with the adhesion of three novel members (Greece in 1981; Spain and Portugal in 1986), the EEC takes a new dimension.

She affirms from now on a true European ambition, confirmed by the signature of the treaty of Maastricht in 1992, the implementation of the large single European market as from 1993, and by the entry in the Union, on on January 1st, 1995, of three new States: Austria, Sweden and Finland.

On May 1st 2004, the European Union knows a new widening, with the adhesion of ten new countries: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.