The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbors, which culminated in the Second World War. As of 1950, the European Coal and Steel Community begins to unite European countries economically and politically in order to secure lasting peace. The six founding countries are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The 1950s are dominated by a cold war between the east and west. Protests in Hungary against the Communist regime are put down by Soviet tanks in 1956. In 1957, the Treaty of Rome creates the European Economic Community (EEC), or ‘Common Market’ {1}.

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) is responsible for formulating the EU’s international partnership and development policy. Under the leadership of Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen, DG INTPA is working together with partner countries across the world to achieve sustainable development and reduce poverty, promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across the world.

…………………….

1). https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/history_en

2). https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/system/files/youth-sounding-board-call-for-candidates_en.pdf