European Union
The European Union (EU) is
a union of twenty-eight independent states based on the European Communities and
founded to enhance political, economic and social co-operation.
Formerly known as
European Community (EC) or European Economic
Community (EEC).
Date of foundation: 1st November, 1993. The euro currency was introduced
on 1999-01-01 as an accounting currency, euro coins and banknotes
are in circulation since 2002-01-01.
Member states (EUR: Euro currency):
- Austria (since 1995-01-01) (EUR)
- Belgium (EUR)
- Bulgaria (since 2007-01-01)
- Croatia (since 2013-07-01)
- Cyprus (Greek part) (since 2004-05-01) (EUR: 2008-01-01)
- Czech Republic (since 2004-05-01)
- Denmark
- Estonia (since 2004-05-01) (EUR: 2011-01-01)
- Finland (since 1995-01-01) (EUR)
- France (EUR)
- Germany (EUR)
- Greece (EUR)
- Hungary (since 2004-05-01)
- Ireland (EUR)
- Italy (EUR)
- Latvia (since 2004-05-01) (EUR: 2014-01-01)
- Lithuania (since 2004-05-01) (EUR: 2015-01-01)
- Luxembourg (EUR)
- Malta (since 2004-05-01) (EUR: 2008-01-01)
- Netherlands (EUR)
- Poland (since 2004-05-01)
- Portugal (EUR)
- Romania (since 2007-01-01)
- Slovakia (since 2004-05-01) (EUR: 2009-01-01)
- Slovenia (since 2004-05-01) (EUR)
- Spain (EUR)
- Sweden (since 1995-01-01)
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Burkhard Kirste, 2007-06-22, 2015-01-01