European Economic Community | Article about European Economic Community by The Free Dictionary European Economic Community | Article about European Economic Community by The Free Dictionary Related to European Economic Community: European Union , European Economic Area , European Community , European Atomic Energy Community European Economic Community (EEC), organization established (1958) by a treaty signed in 1957 by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany (now Germany); it was known informally as the Common Market. The EEC was the most significant of the three treaty organizations that were consolidated in 1967 to form the European Community (EC; known since the ratification [1993] of the Maastricht treaty as the European Union). The EEC had as its aim the eventual economic union of its member nations, ultimately leading to political union. It worked for the free movement of labor and capital, the abolition of trusts and cartels, and the development of joint and reciprocal policies on labor, social welfare, agriculture, transport, and foreign trade. In 1958, Britain proposed that the Common Market be expanded into a transatlantic free-trade area.

After the proposal was vetoed by France, Britain engineered the formation (1960) of the European Free Trade Association European Free Trade Association (EFTA), customs union and trading bloc; its current members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. EFTA was established in 1960 by Austria, Denmark, Great Britain, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland. ..... Click the link for more information. (EFTA) and was joined by other European nations that did not belong to the Common Market. Beginning in 1973, EFTA and the EEC negotiated a series of agreements that would insure uniformity between the two organizations in many areas of economic policy, and by 1995, all but four of EFTA's members had transferred their memberships from EFTA to the European Union. One of the first important accomplishments of the EEC was the establishment (1962) of common price levels for agricultural products. In 1968, internal tariffs (tariffs on trade between member nations) were eliminated and a common external tariff was fixed.

For subsequent developments, see European Union European Union (EU), name given since the ratification (Nov., 1993) of the Treaty of European Union, or Maastricht Treaty, to the European Community (EC), an economic and political confederation of European nations, and other organizations (with the same member nations) ..... Click the link for more information. . Bibliography See A. E. Walsh and J. Paxton, The Structure and Development of the Common Market (1968); R. C. Mowat, Creating the European Community (1973); A. M. Eli-Agraa, ed., The Economics of the European Community (1985); A. Sapir and J. Alexis, ed., The European Internal Market (1989). European Economic Community (EEC, the Common Market), a state-monopoly organization of six Western European countries—France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

The community was created to join the economies of the member nations into a unified “common market.” The treaty to establish the EEC was signed in March 1957 in Rome and went into effect on Jan. 1, 1958. The formation of the EEC represents a new phenomenon, arising out of the contemporary stage of the general crisis of capitalism. It reflects an objective tendency, characteristic of the monopoly stage of capitalism, toward internationalization of economic relations and capital and elimination of narrow national boundaries. This tendency was pointed out by V. I. Lenin, who emphasized that capitalism “links all countries of the world into a single economic whole,” since “the capitalist enterprise … inevitably outgrows the bounds … of the local market, the region, and then the state”(Poln. sobr. soch., 5th ed., vol. 3, p. 57). A basic reason for the establishment of the EEC is an attempt by the financial oligarchies of the six Western European countries, relying on this objective tendency, to expand sales markets and the territorial sphere of their activities in order to create favorable conditions for rapid and crisis-free development of the productive forces of the member countries.

The formation of the EEC signifies the further intensification of the conflict between the contemporary level of development of productive forces and the production relations of capitalism, as well as the attempt of the ruling circles of the member countries to solve the conflict by means of intergovernmental associations. The creation of the EEC pursues not only economic but also political goals—unification of the forces of Western European capitalism against the world communist movement, the socialist states, and the national liberation struggle of colonial and dependent countries. The formation of the EEC also reflected the striving of specific monopolistic circles of the Six to consolidate their forces in the competitive struggle against the monopolies of other countries, primarily of the USA, for the repartition of sales markets.

The declared goal in creating the EEC was “comprehensive development of economic activity” throughout the en-tire community, “continual and uniform development, increasing stability, rapid increases in the standard of living, and closer ties between the states joined together” through the creation of a “common market.” The Common Market is viewed as an integration of national markets of member countries providing for gradual elimination of all restrictions in trade between the countries, introduction of a common customs tariff in trade with third countries, elimination of barriers for the free movement of “people, capital, and services,” execution of a common policy in transport and business, development of principles for coordinating the economic policies of the member countries, and establishment of uniform regulations for competition and amalgamation of the legislation of the member countries. Realization of these measures is to be gradual, over a so-called 12-year transition period. In addition to the Six, Greece and Turkey participate in the EEC as associate members; the conditions of their association foresee longer periods in reduction of customs duties between them and the Six (up to 22 years). The EEC has also concluded a number of conventions on association with a total of 24 African nations, for the most part former colonial possessions of France and Belgium.

This association of coun-tries that are less developed in an economic sense creates preconditions for their economic subordination to their stronger European partners. The directive bodies of the EEC are the council, the com-mission (the Commission of the European Communities), the assembly (European Parliament), and the court. The council, the highest body of the EEC, consists of one representative from each of the member countries (usually the minister of economic affairs, finance, or trade). The commission, the chief executive body, consists of nine members appointed to four-year terms by the governments of countries that are members of the community. There are also a number of credit institutions that function within the community; their responsibility includes the financing of individual measures associated with the execution of a common economic and social policy. Such institutions include the European Investment Bank and the European Development Fund. The EEC is the most important component of the system of European communities uniting the six countries of Western Europe, a system that also includes the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community. These organizations are essentially branch associations of the Six and since July 1967 have been directed by the same bodies as the EEC itself.

The creation of the EEC was in the interests of the monopolies of the six Western European countries, since it helped to strengthen their position within the community and to expand the markets for their commodities. By early 1970 trade within the community had grown 6.3 times over the 1958 level. During the same period EEC trade with third countries increased only 2.8 times. On July 1, 1968, the last (20 percent) reduction in customs duties on mutual trade of the member countries was implemented. This marked the beginning of the functioning of a customs union within the structure of the EEC. Goals set for the EEC in other areas by the Treaty of Rome were only partially implemented by the end of 1969, as a result of continual disagreements between the partner countries, especially between France and West Germany, which were attempting to establish their hegemony in the association. Two areas of especially sharp conflict were the introduction of free movement of capital between the six countries and the execution of a common policy in the area of transport.

The conference held at The Hague in December 1969 of heads of state of the member countries adopted a proposal for further economic amalgamation of the six countries (The Hague Declaration), in conjunction with which a group of experts prepared a report that anticipated the creation of an economic and currency union of the Six during the period 1971-80 (the so-called Werner plan). From the very beginning the plan encountered great difficulties, partly because of the aggravation of the crisis of the international currency system of capitalism from 1969 to 1971. The creation of a common market for agricultural production, the functioning of which entails supplementary budget and currency expenditures by the member countries, is a breeding ground for unceasing conflicts in the EEC. The political-commercial measures of the EEC are aggravating interimperialistic contradictions not only within the structure of the Six itself but between the group and the remaining capitalist world. A direct result of the creation of the EEC was the formation in Western Europe of another economic and trade bloc—the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). However, from the very beginning of EFTA, its members, headed by Great Britain, have expressed a desire to enter the EEC.

On January 1, 1973, Great Britain, Ireland, and Denmark joined the EEC. The ruling circles of the United States supported the creation of the EEC, expecting with its help to strengthen the economic base of NATO and unite the forces of Western European imperialism in the struggle against the world communist movement. However the community became a strong competitor of the USA, squeezing it economically in world markets. Nor were the hopes for strengthening NATO justified. Being essentially a state-monopoly association, the EEC has not been able to provide for crisis-free, uniform development or to ameliorate class contradictions in member countries. The working masses of the six countries openly oppose the antidemocratic character of the EEC and demand that it be given a new economic and social content, profoundly different from that which it now has, so that its activities would serve the, interests of the broad popular masses.

REFERENCES European Economic Community Encyclopedia > Social Sciences and the Law > Political Science and Government > International Organizations European Economic Community European Economic Community (EEC), organization established (1958) by a treaty signed in 1957 by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany (now Germany); it was known informally as the Common Market. The EEC was the most significant of the three treaty organizations that were consolidated in 1967 to form the European Community (EC; known since the ratification [1993] of the Maastricht treaty as the European Union). The EEC had as its aim the eventual economic union of its member nations, ultimately leading to political union. It worked for the free movement of labor and capital, the abolition of trusts and cartels, and the development of joint and reciprocal policies on labor, social welfare, agriculture, transport, and foreign trade. In 1958, Britain proposed that the Common Market be expanded into a transatlantic free-trade area.

After the proposal was vetoed by France, Britain engineered the formation (1960) of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and was joined by other European nations that did not belong to the Common Market. Beginning in 1973, EFTA and the EEC negotiated a series of agreements that would insure uniformity between the two organizations in many areas of economic policy, and by 1995, all but four of EFTA's members had transferred their memberships from EFTA to the European Union. One of the first important accomplishments of the EEC was the establishment (1962) of common price levels for agricultural products. In 1968, internal tariffs (tariffs on trade between member nations) were eliminated and a common external tariff was fixed. For subsequent developments, see European Union . See A. E. Walsh and J. Paxton, The Structure and Development of the Common Market (1968); R. C. Mowat, Creating the European Community (1973); A. M. Eli-Agraa, ed., The Economics of the European Community (1985); A. Sapir and J.

Alexis, ed., The European Internal Market (1989). The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. See more Encyclopedia articles on: International Organizations Which Countries Are In The European Union (EU)? - WorldAtlas.com World Facts Which Countries Are In The European Union (EU)? With the 2016 departure of the United Kingdom, the geopolitical and economic entity currently has 27 remaining members. Representative from across the EU converge in the European Parliament. The European Union , also referred to as the EU or the European Community, is a socioeconomic and geopolitical alliance between various European states. To some degree, the EU allows for conducting of business affairs and movement of people between member states as if they were merely doing business or traveling between one part of the same country and another. The current EU is the effective result of a number of multilateral trade, customs, and other treaties between various European states between the end of the Second World War and the present time. In 1957 six core states founded the European Economic Community the predecessor of the European Union (Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany).

The remaining states have acceded in subsequent enlargements. On July 1st, 2013, Croatia became the newest member state of the EU. In order to accede, a state must fulfill the economic and political requirements which require a candidate to have a democratic, free market government, together with the corresponding freedoms and institutions, and respect for the rule of law. Listed below are countries that are part of the European Union as of June of 2016, and the date which they joined. The United Kingdom joined the European Community in January of 1973, but voted by way of a June 23rd, 2016 nationwide referendum to leave the European Union. What Countries Are In The European Union (EU)? Rank From 6 to 28 members - European Commission From 6 to 28 members What were you looking for? Any suggestions? From 6 to 28 members From 6 to 28 members From 6 to 28 members The EU is a unique economic and political partnership between 28 European countries that together cover much of the continent. It was created in the aftermath of the Second World War.

The first steps were to foster economic cooperation: the idea being that countries who trade with one another become economically interdependent and so more likely to avoid conflict. In 1951, six countries founded the European Coal and Steel Community, and later, in 1957, the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community: Belgium Luxembourg the Netherlands A further 22 countries have since joined the EU, including a historic expansion in 2004 marking the re-unification of Europe after decades of division: The history of the European Union Interactive timeline Founding fathers > After Slovenia, Croatia is the second country from ex-Yugoslavia to join the EU. The European perspective remains open to the entire Western Balkans region. Two more countries from eastern Europe, Bulgaria and Romania, join the EU, bringing the number of member states to 27 countries. Ten new countries join the EU: Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. This was the largest single enlargement in terms of people, and number of countries. Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU. The 15 members now cover almost the whole of western Europe.

Spain and Portugal become members Membership of the EU reaches double figures when Greece joins. It has been eligible to join since its military regime was overthrown and democracy restored in 1974. Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom join the European Union, raising the number of member states to nine. The organisation founded in 1957 which is now known as the European Union, originally had six members: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Stay connected Common Market founded - Mar 25, 1957 - HISTORY.com Common Market founded Publisher A+E Networks On March 25, 1957, France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg sign a treaty in Rome establishing the European Economic Community (EEC), also known as the Common Market. The EEC, which came into operation in January 1958, was a major step in Europe’s movement toward economic and political union. By 1950, it was apparent that centuries of Western European world supremacy was at an end. The national markets of Europe, isolated from each other by archaic trade laws, were no match for the giant market enjoyed by the United States.

And looming over Europe from the east was the Soviet Union, whose communist leaders commanded vast territory and economic resources under a single system. Many European leaders also feared the resumption of conflict between traditional European antagonists such as France and Germany, which would only diminish the European economies further. As a means of improving Europe’s economic climate and preventing war, some influential statesman and political theorists suggested economic integration. The first major step in this direction was taken in 1951, when France and West Germany formed the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), integrating their coal and steel industries. French leaders proposed the organization primarily as a means of monitoring German industry, and West German leaders immediately agreed, to allay fears of German militarization. To supervise the ECSC, several supranational bodies were established, including an executive authority, a council of ministers, an advisory assembly, and a court of justice to settle disputes. Italy and the three nations of the Benelux Economic Union–Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg–soon joined. The groundwork for the EEC was laid. On March 25, 1957, representatives of six European nations signed two treaties in Rome.

One created the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for the common and peaceful development of Europe’s nuclear resources. The other created the EEC. In the Common Market, trade barriers between member nations were gradually eliminated, and common policies regarding transportation, agriculture, and economic relations with nonmember countries were implemented. Eventually, labor and capital were permitted to move freely within the boundaries of the community. The EEC, the ECSC, and Euratom were served by a single council of ministers, representative assembly, and court of justice. In 1967, the three organizations were fully merged as the European Community (EC). Britain and other European nations initially declined to join the Common Market and established the weaker European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in 1960 as an alternative. By the early 1960s, however, the Common Market nations showed signs of significant economic growth, and Britain changed its mind. Because of its close ties to the United States, however, French President Charles de Gaulle twice vetoed British admission, and Britain did not join the EC until January 1973, when Ireland and Denmark also became EC members.

Greece joined in 1981, Portugal and Spain in 1986, and the former East Germany as part of reunified Germany in 1990. In early 1990s, the European Community became the basis for the European Union (EU), which was established in 1993 following ratification of the Maastricht Treaty. The treaty called for a strengthened European parliament, the creation of a central European bank and common currency, and a common defense policy. In addition to a single European common market, member states would also participate in a larger common market, called the European Economic Area. Austria, Finland, and Sweden became members of the EU in 1995. As of early 2007, there were twenty-seven member states in total, and further growth was expected. More on This Topic European Economic Community - definition of European Economic Community by The Free Dictionary European Economic Community - definition of European Economic Community by The Free Dictionary Informally the Common Market Abbr. EEC An economic organization established in 1957 to reduce tariff barriers and promote trade among the countries of Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and West Germany.

These countries became the original members of the European Community. European Economic Community n (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) the former W European economic association created by the Treaty of Rome in 1957; in 1967 its executive and legislative bodies merged with those of the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community to form the European Community (now part of the European Union). Informal name: Common Market Abbreviation: EEC Europe′an Econom′ic Commu`nity n. an association for economic cooperation established in 1957 by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany; later joined by the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Denmark, Greece, Spain, and Portugal; superseded by the European Union in 1993. Also called Common Market. Abbr.: EEC ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Noun 1.

European Economic Community - an international organization of European countries formed after World War II to reduce trade barriers and increase cooperation among its members; "he tried to take Britain into the Europen Union" Danmark , Denmark , Kingdom of Denmark - a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe; consists of the mainland of Jutland and many islands between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea Kingdom of Sweden , Sverige , Sweden - a Scandinavian kingdom in the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula Deutschland , FRG , Germany , Federal Republic of Germany - a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990 Finland , Republic of Finland , Suomi - republic in northern Europe; achieved independence from Russia in 1917 Ellas , Greece , Hellenic Republic - a republic in southeastern Europe on the southern part of the Balkan peninsula; known for grapes and olives and olive oil Italia , Italian Republic , Italy - a republic in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula; was the core of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire between the 4th century BC and the 5th century AD Austria , Oesterreich , Republic of Austria - a mountainous republic in central Europe; under the Habsburgs (1

278-1918) Austria maintained control of the Holy Roman Empire and was a leader in European politics until the 19th century Belgique , Belgium , Kingdom of Belgium - a monarchy in northwestern Europe; headquarters for the European Union and for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Britain , Great Britain , U.K.

, UK , United Kingdom , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; `Great Britain' is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom Eire , Ireland , Irish Republic , Republic of Ireland - a republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of Ireland; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1921 France , French Republic - a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe Luxembourg – Travel guide at Wikivoyage edit on Wikidata The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (Luxembourgish: Groussherzogtum Lëtzebuerg, French:Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, German: Großherzogtum Luxemburg), is a landlocked Benelux country bordered by Belgium , France and Germany at the crossroads of Germanic and Latin cultures. It is the only Grand Duchy in the world and is the second-smallest of the European Union member states.

With successful steel, finance and high technology industries, a strategic location at the heart of Western Europe, more natural beauty than you might expect given its size, and as one of the top three richest countries in the world, Luxembourg enjoys a very high standard of living and has prices to match! Regions[ edit ] Luxembourg is divided into 3 administrative districts, which are further divided into 12 cantons and then 106 communes. Luxembourg is officially divided into three districts Other destinations[ edit ] The Mullerthal , also known as Luxembourg's Little Switzerland, is a popular destination for hikers, cyclists and photographers due to its beautiful forested mountains. History[ edit ] The city of Luxembourg proper was founded in 963, and its strategic position soon promised it a great future. Luxembourg was at the crossroads of Western Europe and became heavily fortified. You can still see the extensive city walls and towers which form its distinctive cityscape. Due to its key position, Luxembourg became a Duchy that once included a much larger territory stretching into present-day Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and France. The powerful Habsburg family kept its hand on it until the late Renaissance times.

After the Napoleonic wars, the Duchy of Luxembourg was granted to the Netherlands. It had a special status as a member of the German confederacy and the citadel was armed with a Prussian garrison. Luxembourg was still a strategic location that everybody sought to control. It was granted the title "Grand Duchy" in 1815 but lost some territories to France and Germany. During the course of the 19th century, developments in warfare and the appearance of artillery made Luxembourg obsolete as a stronghold, and it became little more than a rural territory of no strategic interest. The Germans relinquished their rights over it and moved out their garrison, its western half was granted to Belgium in 1839, and the Netherlands granted it complete independence in 1867. Since then, Luxembourg has developed from a poor country of fields and farms into a modern economy relying on financial services and high-tech industries. Overrun by Germany in both world wars , Luxembourg was one of the major battlefields of the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944-1945, a story well documented in the museum at Diekirch .

The state ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and it joined NATO the following year. Cooperation among the Benelux countries had already existed after the first world war, but this time it proved to be a lot more important on a European scale. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union) and, in 1999, it joined the euro currency area. As most Luxembourgers are fluent in (at least) two languages (French and Luxembourgish/German), and the small country seems non-threatening to most of the EU, Luxembourgers have risen to high ranks in the EU administration. The most notable is Jean Claude Juncker, the president of the EU commission since 2014. Climate[ edit ] Luxembourg enjoys a temperate oceanic climate, with the hills of the Ardennes providing some extra protection against the influences of the Atlantic. The best, or at least the sunniest time to go is May to August, although with a bit of luck you'll enjoy mild weather in April and September too.

The warm months of July-August are high-season in the country, with outdoor festivals all around, but Spring comes with many flowers and Autumn comes with wine-making opportunities in the Moselle valley area. Despite the small size of the country, there are measurable differences in overall temperature, with the north being generally a few degrees colder and receiving serious packs of snow in winter. Although comparatively mild for this part of Europe, winters are on the cold side for travels, with average temperatures around +2°C in January and occasional low points of -15°C at night. July and August are the warmest months, with average temperatures between 15°C and 25°C, and usually a few days over 30°C. Annual precipitation is around 780mm, with highs in August and December. Terrain[ edit ] Mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the south. Holidays[ edit ] National holiday: National Day falls on 23 June.

(Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte moved by 6 months to coincide with the warmer weather) Get in[ edit ] Minimum validity of travel documents EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need only produce a passport which is valid for the entirety of their stay in Luxembourg. Non-EU citizens who are visa-exempt (e.g. New Zealanders and Australians) must present a passport which is valid for at least 3 months on the day they enter Luxembourg. Non-EU nationals who are required to have a visa (e.g. South Africans) must have a passport which has at least 3 months' validity beyond their period of stay in Luxembourg in order for a Schengen visa to be granted. For more information, visit this Luxembourg Government webpage (in French) . Luxembourg is a member of the Schengen Agreement . There are normally no border controls between countries that have signed and implemented the treaty. This includes most of the European Union and a few other countries. There are usually identity checks before boarding international flights or boats. Sometimes there are temporary border controls at land borders. Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty.

Please see Travelling around the Schengen Area for more information on how the scheme works, which countries are members and what the requirements are for your nationality. Citizens of the above countries/territories - except for Antigua and Barbuda , the Bahamas , Barbados , Mauritius , Saint Kitts and Nevis and Seychelles - are permitted to work in Luxembourg without having to obtain any authorisation during the period of the 90 day visa-free stay. However, this visa exemption does not necessarily extend to other Schengen countries. By plane[ edit ] Luxembourg-Findel International Airport ( IATA : LUX) is located 6 km outside Luxembourg-City. It is connected by Luxair , the national airline, and other carriers to many European destinations. A full timetable is available on the website of the airport. Visitors from airports not directly served can connect to Luxembourg at the hubs in Amsterdam (served by KLM), Paris Charles de Gaulle (served by Luxair), Frankfurt (served by Luxair), and London Heathrow (served by British Airways). Note that international flights to Luxembourg with a change in a hub airport are often not much more expensive or even cheaper than flights to the hub itself.

Alternative airports, especially for low-cost carriers, include the Ryanair hubs Frankfurt- Hahn , about two hours away by direct Flibco bus, and "Brussels"-South Charleroi , about three hours away by direct Flibco bus and charleroiexpress.com . The DeLux-Express bus service connects Luxembourg city to Frankfurt Airport . By train[ edit ] Luxembourg train station can be reached directly from Paris (2 hours), Metz (1 hour), Brussels (3 hours) and Trier (43 min). Both international and national timetables can be found on the website of the national railways company CFL . Trains from Paris need to be booked in advance at SNCF's website , and have discounts for advanced bookings. Trains to Metz, Brussels, Trier, and other local destinations have neither advance discounts nor the possibility of reserving seats, so there is no advantage of booking these trains in advance. When traveling from Trier it is advisable to buy a TagesTicket DeLux , a day-ticket which costs €8.40 and is valid for a return trip to Luxembourg and free use of buses and trains within both Luxembourg and the Trier area.

The CFL operate a minibus shuttle between Luxembourg train station and TGV Lorraine where passengers can catch TGV connections to Charles de Gaulle Airport , Disneyland Paris , Rennes , Bordeaux and other destinations , and a bus shuttle to Saarbrucken , where passengers can connect to the German ICE network. By car[ edit ] Motorways from Metz (A3), Brussels (A6) and Trier (A1) connect to the ring-road around Luxembourg City, from which most other parts of the country can be reached. If you want to enjoy a nice view on your way to the city, "Grund" and Kasematten, leave the motorway coming from the East ( Germany ) at exit "Cents". Enter Cents and drive down the hill. Don't let yourself be stopped by signs that the route is blocked via "Grund". By bus[ edit ] Aside from the airport buses listed above, sometimes there are commuter buses to Trier and Bitburg . The train is a far more preferable option for entering the country from nearby. a couple of Intercity buses in Germany connect to Luxemburg as well.

Get around[ edit ] CFL regional train Luxembourg is a compact country, making it easy to reach nearly any town in the country in an hour or less by public transport. The Mobilitéit agency coordinates the country's trains and buses; their website and mobile app are both very useful for planning journeys throughout Luxembourg. Tickets are valid on both trains and buses, and can be purchased at train stations, some bus vending machines where available and all bus drivers. The rates are a flat €2 for two hours (unlimited transfers) or €4 for the entire day. By train[ edit ] The Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL) train network is generally a good way to move across the country. While the south is reasonably well covered, the north is limited to one main line which runs from Luxembourg City via Mersch, Ettelbrück, Wilwerwiltz, Clervaux and Troisvierges, then to Liège in Belgium . Diekirch has a branch line from Ettelbruck, and Wiltz from Kautenbach. To the south you can reach Bettembourg and Esch-sur-Alzette.

There is also a line to the east which crosses into Germany over the Moselle River at Wasserbillig. Trains in Luxembourg are comfortable and modern, and generally run perfectly on-time. By bus[ edit ] The country is served by countless bus services, reaching every little village in the country. Most services run at least every hour throughout the week, with higher frequencies during weekdays and reduced operation on Saturdays and Sundays. Buses numbered 1-31 serve the City of Luxembourg, with the most useful when arriving in the country being line 1 (Train Station - City Centre - Kirchberg - Airport). Almost all buses stop at the central bus station, Hamilius, and the train station (Luxembourg Gare) in their routes at some point. Buses are modern and clean, and you can board at any door if you already have a ticket. Screens and announcements on-board advise of the next stop on most city bus services. It is important to hail the bus you wish to catch by raising your hand towards the road as it arrives. The bus service out of town is also extensive and reliable. Buses numbered 100 upwards will take you out of the city.

For destinations in the north of the country, one usually first needs to take a train to Mersch , Ettelbruck , Wiltz , or Clervaux , and change there to a bus to the final destination. Other destinations usually have a direct bus from the capital. By car[ edit ] Luxembourg's road infrastructure is well-developed if not always very well thought-out. Anywhere that happens to lie along the major motorways is easily accessible via these (including Grevenmacher in the east, Mamer to the west and Bettembourg to the south). Esch-Alzette, the country's second city (more like a small town by international standards) has its own motorway link, the A4. In addition, sections of a new motorway to the north of the country (Mersch, Ettelbrück) are already open. However, the current North Road provides easy access between Luxembourg and Mersch. Unless otherwise indicated, speed limits are 50 km/h in towns and villages, 90 km/h on open country roads, and 130 km/h on the motorway (110 km/h in the rain).

Speed limits are raised by signs to 110 km/h in some places on the N7 and N11, and lowered to 70 km/h on some open country roads. Within towns and villages, speed limits can be raised to 70 km/h on main roads, or lowered to 30km/h in residential areas. Speed limits are enforced by random police checks. Be aware that if you have a right-hand-drive car then you are very likely to be singled out for a customs check on the way in. Police are also very keen on stopping drivers for having the 'wrong' lights on in town, i.e. side lights instead of dipped headlights. Driving in Luxembourg is nowhere as testing as in other European countries. The locals are polite, even when entering roundabouts. When entering the highways from side roads into the slower traffic lane, the other drivers will allow you to join the traffic line, but traffic indicators are essential. As with other highways in Europe always keep in the slow traffic lane, keeping the fast lane for overtaking. Some drivers travel at high speeds and will flash their headlights to indicate that they are in a hurry, even if you are sitting on the speed limit.

Most of the time trucks keep in the slow lane at their regulated speed for large vehicles. They can be a little annoying when overtaking other trucks. The truck drivers seem to keep a watch out for other vehicles. Cars towing caravans can be a bit of a menace at times but staying alert will ensure there are no problems. The closing speeds of vehicles need to be watched if overtaking, as some drivers travel well in excess of the speed limits. Normal day to day driving in Luxembourg is a delight but traffic does slow down in peak times. Finding parking in Luxembourg city centre on weekends can be difficult. Most spaces are quickly taken and some parking garages close early. The best option is to find somewhere near the station and then walk around the city centre. Traffic wardens are also numerous and vigilant. See also: French phrasebook , German phrasebook Luxembourgish ("Lëtzebuergesch") is the national language, while French is the administrative language. German is also widely used and almost universally understood. Luxembourgish is a separate and unique language, having previously evolved from a German dialect ("Moselfränkisch").

German (Hochdeutsch) enjoys official status and appears in some media, is used in the court system and is taught in schools. However, everything from road signs to menus to information in stores will appear in French. French therefore is clearly the most useful of the three languages to know, essentially making Luxembourg a Francophone country for the visitor with the exception of places close to the German border such as Diekirch or Echternach. Over one third of Luxembourg's overall population is made up of foreigners, and this figure rises to around 50% in the cities. Hence, again knowing French is your best bet if you want to converse with most people, especially as people working in shops and bars usually come from France or Belgium and don't bother to learn the local native language. English is widely understood by such personnel as bus drivers, but many shop assistants will only respond if addressed in French or German. Educated Luxembourgers are fluent in all four of the above languages; it is the "frontaliers" (workers who live across one of the borders) who may not speak English well or at all. Apart from the more elderly inhabitants, virtually every Luxembourger understands and speaks fluent standard German and French.

Luxembourgers are the polyglots of Europe, perhaps making even the Swiss jealous! See[ edit ] You may not expect it from one of the smallest countries in Europe , but The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a diverse land, full of beautiful nature and gorgeous historic monuments. Its turbulent history is filled with stories of emperors and counts as well as many battles and disputes. Today, the almost fairy-tale like castles and fortresses are a faint but impressive reminder of those days, and amidst their lovely natural setting, they make some superb and picturesque sights. View from the 'Grund' district in Luxembourg-city Most of the country's population lives in rural areas and apart from the delightful historic City of Luxembourg , the country's capital, settlements are mostly small. That said, the capital is a place not to be missed. It has a splendid location high on a cliff, overlooking the deep and narrow valleys of both the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers. Several parts of the old town are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and the most interesting places include the Gothic Revival Cathedral of Notre Dame, the town fortifications, and of course the Grand Ducal Palace, which is surrounded by charming cobblestoned lanes.

However, there's far more to see, such as the Bock casemates, Neumünster Abbey and the Place d'Armes. There are several World War II memorial sites and a number of high-end museums, but just wandering through the old centre, taking in the beautiful views from the Chemin de la Corniche and crossing bridges to the nearest plateaus is at least as great a way to discover the city. Echternach Town Square The lively town of Echternach is the oldest city in Luxembourg. It boasts the country's most prominent religious structure, the basilica of the Abbey of Echternach where the country's patron St Willibrord is buried. The annual Whit Tuesday celebrations in his honour involve lots of dancers in the old town centre and are a popular tourist attraction. Apart from its own sights, Echternach makes a great base to explore the beautiful Müllerthal , better known as "Little Switzerland". Hike or bike through its dense forests with myriad streams and even some caves. Vianden Castle The romantic village of Vianden with its stunning medieval castle is a tourists' favourite and well worth a visit even despite the crowds in summer.

The beautiful location of the fortress in the Our river valley, surrounded by tight forests and a lake with swans, gives it a typical fairy-tale castle look and feel. If you're done wandering the streets and exploring the Gothic churches and fortified towers of this charming town, visit the Victor Hugo house. Afterwards, the pleasant cafés of the Grand Rue are a perfect place to kick back and enjoy. Head to Remich to start your own trip down the Route du Vin and discover the many fine wines that are produced here, in the Moselle Valley. Do[ edit ] Luxembourg has many excellent well-marked outdoor trails. Their location and GPS tracks can be found at Géoportail.lu Discover the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg (Luxembourg-city, Remich, Schengen, Rumelange) by Segway at Segway.lu Kosovo , Montenegro One euro is divided into 100 cents. The official symbol for the euro is €, and its ISO code is EUR. There is no official symbol for the cent. Banknotes: Euro banknotes have the same design in all the countries. Normal coins: All eurozone countries have coins issued with a distinctive national design on one side, and a standard common design on the other side.

Coins can be used in any eurozone country, regardless of the design used (e.g. a one-euro coin from Finland can be used in Portugal). Commemorative two euro coins: These differ from normal two euro coins only in their "national" side and circulate freely as legal tender. Each country may produce a certain amount of them as part of their normal coin production and sometimes "Europe-wide" two euro coins are produced to commemorate special events (e.g. the anniversary of important treaties). Other commemorative coins: Commemorative coins of other amounts (e.g. ten euros or more) are much rarer, and have entirely special designs and often contain non-negligible amounts of gold, silver or platinum. While they are technically legal tender at face value, their material or collector value is usually much higher and, as such, you will most likely not find them in actual circulation. If you know any coin collectors, take a few local coins as keepsakes, since Luxembourg coins are among the rarest of the euros — even in Luxembourg, most of your change will be in other countries' coins! The general price level in Luxembourg is noticeably higher than in France and Germany, especially in central Luxembourg.

Even cheap hotels tend to cost over €100 a night and you won't get much change from €20 after a modest dinner and a drink. Basing yourself in Trier (or other cities across the border) and daytripping to Luxembourg might be a good bet. On the upside, cigarettes, alcohol and petrol are comparatively cheap, making the small state a popular destination for long-haul drivers. Eat[ edit ] Judd mat gaardebounen, served with potatoes and washed down with a Diekirch beer Traditional dishes are largely based on pork and potatoes and the influence of German and central European cooking is undeniable. The unofficial national dish is judd mat gaardebounen, or smoked neck of pork served with boiled broad beans. A must to try if you do get the opportunity are gromperekichelchen (literally, potato biscuits) which are a type of fried shredded potato cake containing onions, shallots and parsley. Typically found served at outdoor events such as markets or funfairs they are absolutely delicious and a particularly nice snack on a cold winter's day. In most restaurants, however, the typical local food would be French cuisine coming in bigger portions.

Italian food has been popular since the 1960s. Home cooking has been greatly influenced by the recipes of Ketty Thull, apparently the best-selling cooking and baking book in Luxembourg since WW II. You can also taste the "Bamkuch" (literally tree cake), which is eaten mainly during celebrations such as weddings and baptisms. This cake is traditionally made on a spit and presented as a tree trunk composed of several layers, visible when it is cut, and that represent the tree rings. Drink[ edit ] The Luxembourg white wines from the Moselle valley to the east of Luxembourg include Riesling, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Rivaner and Elbling to name just a few, and are good. In autumn, many villages along the Moselle river organise wine-tasting village festivals. Young people tend to drink local or imported beer. Luxembourg has a number of breweries, with Diekirch, from the village of the same name , Bofferding, Battin, Simon and Mousel being the most popular. Despite the fact that you would be hard pushed to find any of these outside of the country, all are excellent lagers.

As an after dinner digestive, Luxembourgers like to drink an eau-de-vie . The most commonly available are Mirabelle and Quetsch. Both are made from plums and are extremely strong! Sometimes these are taken in coffee which may be a little more palatable for some. Sleep[ edit ] Due to the heavy banking and EU presence in the city, hotels in central Luxembourg are quite expensive, although there is a good youth hostel (see Luxembourg (city)#Sleep ). It may be more cost-effective to stay across the border in e.g. Trier and "commute" into Luxembourg. The Association of Independent Hotels in Luxembourg operates a booking service at hotels.lu [1] for a number of smaller hotels, mostly in the countryside, but a few in the city. Work[ edit ] Luxembourg is a major player in the financial service sector. Many thousands of people commute from neighbouring Belgium, France (Les frontaliers) and Germany (Die Grenzgänger) on weekdays, considerably swelling the population of the capital city. The majority work in the numerous financial institutions based in and around the capital (particularly in the Kirchberg district) and are drawn across the borders by the excellent salaries on offer.

Luxembourg City has a very international flavour as in addition to les frontaliers, it attracts young professionals from all over the globe. In this area, business is done predominantly in English, French or German and it is necessary to be fluent in one of these at a minimum, although many jobs will demand proficiency in at least two. Stay safe[ edit ] In many surveys, Luxembourg has been named "safest country in the world"; if you follow usual precautions, you should be fine. The area around the city centre's railway station is a little dubious; you will encounter people panhandling. There are also some dubious nightclubs in this area that visitors should stay clear of. Stay healthy[ edit ] The food and tap water supply in Luxembourg is perfectly fine and the country's healthcare system is first class. The climate is average even though the summers can get hot. However these temperatures rarely rise much above 30°C. Respect[ edit ] Try to show respect for the local language and make some effort to say a word or two of it even if just the standard greeting "Moien". Avoid calling "Luxembourgish" a dialect of German or think that the country itself is merely an extension of France or Germany.

The locals, especially those in the small towns and villages, are very friendly; saying "Hello" to them in any language will be returned with a smile. Embassies[ edit ] Finland , 2, rue Heine, L-1720 Luxembourg, ☎ +352-495 551 , fax: +352-494 640, e-mail: sanomat.lux@formin.fi . Mo-Fr 8:30AM-noon, 1:00PM-4:30PM. United Kingdom , 5, Boulevard Joseph II, L-1840 Luxembourg, ☎ +352 22 98 64 , fax: +352 22 98 67, e-mail: consularsection.luxembourg@fco.gov.uk . Consular services are only provided by appointment, which can be booked online via their website. United States , 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg, ☎ +352 46 01 23 , fax: +352 46 14 01.

Mon-Fri 8:30AM-5:30PM. Connect[ edit ] This country travel guide to Luxembourg is an outline and may need more content. It has a template , but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow ! European Union: History >> globalEDGE: Your source for Global Business Knowledge The European Council is established to specifically set long-term agendas for political and economic integration. Europeans elect European Parliament members for the first time. 1979 1987 Single European Act (SEA) comes into enforcement, expanding common market flexibility. The Maastricht Treaty is signed, which established rules of common currency in addition to providing further coordination for foreign and security policy. The European Community formally changes its name to the European Union. 1992 1998 A new currency, the euro, was launched in world money markets. It became the unit of exchange for all of the EU states except the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark.

Treaty of Nice entered into force to set forth rules streamlining the size and procedures of EU institutions. 2003 2004 Ten new countries joined the EU, and the European constitution is signed by all 25 EU countries. Ratification failed in 2005. Bulgaria and Romania join the EU, bringing membership to 27 countries. 2007 2009 Treaty of Lisbon entered into force to provide EU with modern institutions to address issues such as globalization, climate change, security, and energy. At a European Council meeting in Brussels, EU leaders adopt a 10-year strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth: Europe 2020. They also decide to open accession negotiations with Iceland. 2010

Question: In 1957 Luxembourg, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy joined together to form what?
Answer: EEC