This article deals with the historical background,genesis,development and prospect of the European Community and its
integration
processes.It startswith the three approaches of
integration,namely inter-governmental,functional and political integration.The essay then discusses the political,legal and diplomatic efforts of those European statesmen who devote themselves to the estab lishment of a"United States of Europe"either of federation or confederation of the Old Continent.In addition,it spells out the meaning and significance of the Treaty of Rome(1957)and the European Single Act (1987).The author concurs with the prevailing view that the political unity of Western Europe is primarily based on the common flow of goods,services,labor and capital among the member states of the EC.The commentary also focuses on the Treaty of Maastricht(1991) and its implications for the further integration of Western Europe.The final part of the essay discusses the recent foreign and security problems of the EC with the U.S.A.,East Asia and East European states,as well as the former Soviet Union.In conclusion,the author believes that European unity may remain a mere ideal of the "Eurocrats" because of the worldwide economic recession and the serious nemployment problems from which the member states of EC have been suffering since1990.