What is European integration?

European integration is the catch-all term for cooperation between European countries, usually but not exclusively referring to EU member states. More integration implies greater shared decision-making, shared laws, and shared legal and political systems. Since the second world war, European integration has progressively deepened, including through non-EU forums such as the Council of Europe. Nevertheless, the EU is at the core of European integration and represents the deepest political, economic and legal integration of countries anywhere in the world. Within the EU, most member states have now abolished border controls, removed many other internal barriers to trade and investment, and adopted a shared single currency.