European Community law has evolved over the last 60 years as a process of European economic integration. European law has developed alongside the stages of economic integration in a reciprocal process, with euro-area Member States being close to total economic integration. However, economic integration has not been unhalted—political and economic realities have forced the EU to adapt to current developments and negotiate treaty amendments but sometimes also to act outside the Treaty framework. Other influences, such as interest groups, have also shaped the dynamics of interest groups.