Notice who or what is coming together.
The word “integration” can appear in different contexts. In “European integration” as used in this question, it refers to countries and their cooperation. Examples include regulating economic matters together and creating shared institutions for that purpose.
This process did not happen on a single day. The Treaties of Rome expanded economic cooperation in 1957; later treaties developed the shared framework further. The Maastricht Treaty ultimately established the European Union.
The other three answers
All three incorrect answers switch from cooperation between countries to people’s migration.
It refers to American immigrants in Europe.
American immigrants in Europe are a group of people. Their immigration does not define European countries joining together.
The term means the immigration stop to Europe.
An immigration stop would be a particular policy measure. European integration is the much broader process of cooperation between countries, not another term for an immigration stop.
It refers to European emigrants in the USA.
European emigrants in the USA are people who have left Europe. The question instead concerns European countries working together.
Cooperation does not make countries identical in every respect.
The EU has shared institutions and rules, but its member states remain different countries. European integration therefore does not mean every national difference, language or institution disappears. The EU expressly identifies respect for cultural and linguistic diversity as an aim.
The fixed answer briefly describes countries joining together in the EU. More precisely, “integration” describes a long-term process. Both the number of participating countries and the areas of cooperation can change.
Treaties and European cooperation · European Union ↗European integration: countries cooperate more closely, with shared rules and institutions.
Check the word’s context. Here it concerns political cooperation in Europe, not the direction in which individuals move.
Three words for this question
- der Zusammenschlussunion or joining together
- Several participants joining in a common organisation.
- die Zusammenarbeitcooperation
- Working together on tasks or goals.
- die Institutioninstitution
- An established body with particular responsibilities.