European Community

A regional organization created in 1958 providing for gradual elimination
of intraregional customs duties and other trade barriers, applying a common
external tariff against other countries, and providing for gradual adoption
of other integrating measures, including a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
and guarantees of free movement of labor and capital. The original 6
members were Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the
Netherlands. Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom became members in
1973; Greece acceded in 1981; Spain and Portugal in 1986.

The term European Community (EC) refers to three separate regional
organizations which operate under separate treaties:

- European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), established in 1952
- European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM), established in 1958, and
- European Economic Community (EEC), established in 1958.

Since 1967, the European Community have been served by four common
institutions -- the EC Commission, the EC Council, the European Parliament,
and the Court of Justice of the European Community. The present 12 member
states of the EC are also members of the ECSC and Euratom.

While the expression "European Community" (or "EC") was meant to refer to
the three Communities, frequent use of the expression "European Community"
(or "EC") has become common as a reference to the European Economic
Community (EEC).

Prior to November 1, 1993 (the date on which the Maastricht Treaty on
European Union entered into force), the acronym "EC" was used as a
reference to "European Community" and "European Communities." Part I,
Article I of the Maastricht Treaty on European Union formalized "EC" as a
reference to "European Community." The Treaty also introduced the term
"European Union" as a broader legal entity than the European Community.