Abstract. Economic integration involves a double process, as it highlights the whole cause and effect and thus involves the removal of a large number of obstacles to the free movement of goods and services, contributing to the strengthening of economic ties between the states participating in this process. In the context of the Maastricht Treaty, the introduction, implementation and development of the single European currency has a huge relevance and capacity to create fundamental consequences on the economic-financial level and implicitly on the socio-political level. This article aims to highlight the viability and sustainability of the European Union as a form of interstate organization and functioning.

Keywords: model of European integration, Maastricht Treaty, euro, EU sustainability, form of organization and functioning.