sõltumatute osapoolte kokkulepe ühiseks tegevuseks, ühiste eesmärkide saavutamiseks, sel kokkuleppel rajanevad suhted, liitunud riikide (ka linnade vms) ühendus

the economic association of over two dozen European countries which seek to create a unified, barrier-free market for products and services throughout the continent, as well as a common currency with a unified authority over that currency, Union established under the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht, 1992) "to organise, in a manner demonstrating consistency and solidarity, relations between the Member States and between their peoples", ainulaadne majanduslik ja poliitiline liit 28 Euroopa riigi vahel, mis üheskoos hõlmavad suurema osa sellest maailmajaost