European Community

Established on April 8, 1965, to integrate the European Atomic Energy Community, the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Economic Community (or Common Market), and to establish a completely integrated common market. Since 7 February 1992, usually known as the European Union. The 15 member states are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.