Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union, called the Maastricht Treaty, states the EU is founded on
Treaty on the European Union (TEU), Title I-Common Provisions-Article 6. 1  The Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are common to the Member States. The Union is founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are common to the Member States.