The European Economic Community (EEC) was a regional organization established under international law in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome. Initially consisting of six member states - Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands - the EEC aimed to create a common market and promote economic integration among its participants.
Functioning as a regional trade bloc, the EEC eliminated tariffs and other barriers to trade among member states, allowing for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor within its boundaries. It established a common external tariff, which meant that member states used the same customs duties on goods imported from outside the EEC. By doing so, the EEC encouraged trade among member states and facilitated economic growth and development.
Beyond trade, the EEC extended its scope to other policy areas, such as agriculture, regional development, and structural funds. It sought to harmonize regulations and standards, foster fair competition, and ensure the coordination of economic policies. Over time, the EEC evolved into what is now known as the European Union (EU), expanding in both its membership and its scope of authority.
The EEC played a vital role in the integration and economic cooperation of European countries, ultimately laying the foundation for the European Union as we know it today.
