The Western European Union

The Flag of the Western European Union

The WEU was formed out of the Treaty of Brussels in 1954, which formed an organisation with the stated aim of creating in Western Europe the firm basis of economic recovery, to promote unity in western Europe in the face of aggression, and to promote unity and integration.

The WEU as an organisation has full members, and associate members, observers, and partner nations. Though the future of the WEU is under much debate, with many of its functions undertaken now by the EU itself. Indeed, Britain has served notice to withdraw from the WEU by the end of 2010, and the president of the WU has stated that it is likely that by early 2011, it is likely that the WEU will be obsolete, and the organisation will be disbanded.

The flag for the WEU consists of the initials of the WEU in English and French arranged in a cross shape in the centre of a blue field, with a semi circle of gold stars underneath. Each star representing a member state.

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Member States

Belgium                    France

Germany               Greece

Italy                       Luxembourg

The Netherlands     Portugal

Spain                     The United Kingdom

Associate Member States

Czech Republic     Hungary

Iceland                   Norway

Poland                  Turkey

Observer States

Austria                  Denmark

Finland                 Ireland

Sweden

Associated Partner States

Bulgaria                Estonia

Latvia               Lithuania

Romania               Slovenia

Slovakia