European Union (EU)
The Flag of Europe is the flag and emblem of the European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CoE). It is also used to indicate the euro or eurozone countries. It consists of a circle of 12 golden (yellow) stars on a blue background. The blue represents the west, the number of stars represents completeness while their position in a circle represents unity. The stars do not vary according to the members of either organisation as they are intended to represent all the peoples of Europe, even those outside European integration.
The evolution of what is today the European Union (EU) from a regional economic agreement among six neighboring states in 1951 to today’s hybrid intergovernmental and supranational organization of 27 countries across the European continent stands as an unprecedented phenomenon in the annals of history. Dynastic unions for territorial consolidation were long the norm in Europe; on a few occasions even country-level unions were arranged – the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Austro-Hungarian Empire were examples. But for such a large number of nation-states to cede some of their sovereignty to an overarching entity is unique.
Although the EU is not a federation in the strict sense, it is far more than a free-trade association such as ASEAN or Mercosur, and it has certain attributes associated with independent nations: its own flag, currency (for some members), and law-making abilities, as well as diplomatic representation and a common foreign and security policy in its dealings with external partners.
The EU in the world
Trade
The European Union is the largest trade block in the world. It is the world’s biggest exporter of manufactured goods and services, and the biggest import market for over 100 countries.
Free trade among its members was one of the EU’s founding principles. This is possible thanks to the single market. Beyond its borders, the EU is also committed to liberalising world trade.
Humanitarian aid
The EU is committed to helping victims of man-made and natural disasters worldwide and supports over 120 million people each year. Collectively, the EU and its constituent countries are the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid.
Diplomacy and security
The EU plays an important role in diplomacy and works to foster stability, security and prosperity, democracy, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law at international level.
European Union
> europa.eu
European Commission – External Trade
Directorate General Trade of the European Commission
DG Trade conducts the European Union’s common trade policy under the authority of EU Trade Commissioner.
> europa.eu/pol/comm/
EU Trade newsletters
Weekly digest of the latest press releases on EU Trade and the latest speeches by the EU Trade Commissioner.
> Newsletter
Benelux
The Benelux is an intergovernmental partnership between Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
> Benelux
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe (CoE) is the continent’s leading human rights organisation. It includes 47 member states, 28 of which are members of the European Union. All Council of Europe member states have signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights, a treaty designed to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
> coe.int
EU Export Helpdesk for developing countries
The EU Export Helpdesk for developing countries is an online service, provided by the European Commission, to facilitate market access in particular for developing countries to the European Union. This free and user-friendly service provides relevant information required by exporters interested in supplying the EU market.
> learn more