The document discusses the peace experienced in Europe following World War II which has been associated with the creation of the European Union and its predecessors. It notes that the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 for maintaining peace within its borders and through diplomacy internationally. Transatlantic cooperation and European integration through organizations like the EU and NATO were designed to ensure war between members was impossible. Within the zone of EU integration, there has been no conflict since 1945, representing the longest period of peace on the western European mainland since Roman times.