Eastern and Western Europe are interdependent in many ways. Economically, the two regions are linked through trade, investment, and the movement of goods and services. The European Union (EU) is a major economic force in both regions, and the EU's single market allows for the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people between the two regions. Politically, the two regions are closely linked through the EU, which has created a unified foreign policy and a common set of laws and regulations. Culturally, the two regions share a common history and many cultural similarities, such as language, art, and music. Finally, the two regions are linked through security and defense, with the EU providing a common security framework and NATO providing a collective defense.