During its brief history (established in the decade following the Second World War), the European Union has grown greatly in terms of the area it covers - it now numbers fifteen Member States - its political significance and its institutions. The ultimate goal of the European Union is "an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe, in which decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen"; the objective is to promote economic and social progress which is balanced and sustainable, assert the European identity on the international scene and introduce a European citizenship for the nationals of the Member States.