Treaty of Rome

The 1957 Treaty of Rome - signed by France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg - established the European Economic Community.

Along with the Paris and Euratom treaties it is one of the foundation stones of the European Community.

Often referred to simply as the Treaty, it has been amended several times to take account of new member states joining the EEC.

Most recently it has been updated by the Maastricht, Amsterdam and Nice Treaties.

Once a treaty has been signed, it must be ratified by all the member states before it comes into force.