Established in 1967, the EC was a single unit whose plural name (Communities) reflects the fact that it united the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Economic Community, and the European Atomic Energy Community under one organizational structure The EC evolved into the European Union beginning in 1993
- The term European Communities is a collective term for the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), founded in 1951, the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM or EAEC), founded in 1957 The European Union, created by the Maastricht Treaty (1993), did not make the European Communities disappear They form its institutional framework The Union remains based on the Communities, supplemented by the policies and the forms of cooperation brought in by that treaty The European Union is a Party to the Convention However, it does not have a separate vote from its members Members states of the EU meet as a group to the COP