The European Union (EU) is a family of liberal‐democratic countries which are acting collectively thorough an institutionalized system of decision making. The EU changed the character and definition of Europe, bringing to the region the longest uninterrupted peace in its recorded history. By building a single market and developing common policies in a wide range of different areas, the EU has brought fundamental changes to the way Europe functions, the way it is seen by others, and the way others work with Europe.