The European Economic Community (EEC) was founded in 1958 and was later reformed into the European Union (EU) in 1993. The EEC was an organization consisting of six European countries, aiming to promote economic cooperation and eventually create a single market. The term EEC is often used interchangeably with the EU, but there are a few other synonyms for this term. Some additional terms that may be used to refer to the EEC include the European Community (EC), the Common Market, or simply "Europe." The EEC has evolved over time and now includes 27 member states, with a focus on promoting economic growth and stability for its citizens.