The correct answer is D. All of the above.
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. The EU operates through a system of supranational institutions and intergovernmental-negotiated decisions by the member states. It aims to bring about the coordination of member states’ economic policies, a single market in which goods and people move freely, and common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries, and regional development.
The EU was founded in 1957 with the signing of the Treaty of Rome by six countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Since then, the EU has grown to include 27 member states, with Croatia being the latest to join in 2013.
The EU’s institutions include the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the Court of Justice of the European Union, and the European Central Bank. The European Parliament is the only directly elected EU institution. The Council of the European Union is made up of representatives from each member state. The European Commission is the EU’s executive body. The Court of Justice of the European Union is the EU’s highest court. The European Central Bank is responsible for setting monetary policy for the eurozone, the group of 19 EU member states that use the euro as their currency.
The EU’s policies cover a wide range of areas, including trade, agriculture, fisheries, regional development, transport, energy, environment, and justice and home affairs. The EU also has a common foreign and security policy.
The EU is a major player in the global economy. It is the world’s largest single market and the world’s largest exporter of goods and services. The EU is also a major donor of international aid.
The EU has been criticized for its bureaucracy, its lack of democratic accountability, and its impact on national sovereignty. However, the EU has also been praised for its role in promoting peace, prosperity, and democracy in Europe.