Fundamental differences and peculiarities of enlargement of the European Union at the end of the XX – beginning of the XXI centuries

Abstract

European economic integration began with a «Europe of the Six», when in 1951, France, Germany, Italy and the Benelux countries (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) signed the Paris Agreement on the establishment of the European Organization for Coal and Steel. Then, these countries on March 25, 1957 signed the Rome Treaties that established the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community. After the merger of the higher governing bodies in 1967, the integrated union of six countries became known as the European Community. To date six enlargement of EU had taken place, of which the last two have a fundamentally new scenario of accession associated with features on the number of countries joined, increase of the territory, population growth, as well as a variety of historical experiences and cultures.