The European Union: a community of cooperation and progress

The European Union (EU) is an association of democratic European countries committed to peace, stability, and the well-being of its citizens. It is not a state that replaces the member countries, but it goes beyond any other international organisation. It is a unique project in the world, in which member states have decided to share part of their sovereignty through common institutions, allowing democratic decision-making on matters of general interest at the European level. This process is known as European integration.