established - 3 June 1972

aim - to promote regional economic development

members - (7) Benin, Burkina, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal

observers - (2) Guinea, Togo

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Western European Union (WEU)

established - 23 October 1954

effective - 6 May 1955

aim - mutual defense and progressive political unification

members - (9) Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, UK