The EU is a unique economic and political union between 27 European countries. Its predecessor was created in 1958 with the initial aim of increasing economic cooperation between the six founding countries. The six founding countries were: Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The EU's goal is to promote peace, offer freedom, security, justice, promote scientific and technological progress, and so much more. The EU, being a democratic organisation, has to address its citizens, the governments of the Member States and their public bodies, companies, and other organisations in their language. People have the right to know what is being done in their name. The laws must be accessible to everyone in their mother tongue. Such use of the official languages contributes to the transparency, legitimacy and efficiency of the EU and its institutions. So far, the EU has delivered more than half a century of peace, stability and prosperity. The EU has also made it easier to travel with the abolition of border controls with the EU countries that lie in the Schengen zone.