Which among the following statements are correct about the European Union?

(A) European integration after 1945 was aided by the Second World War
(B) The US extended massive financial help for reviving Europe's economy under the Washington Plan.
(C) The Council of Europe was a step forward in political cooperation.
(D) The European Union has political and diplomatic influence as it has members who hold permanent and non- permanent seats on the UN Security Council.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(C) and (D) only

The correct answer is Option (2) → (C) and (D) only

(A) European integration after 1945 was aided by the Second World War (Incorrect).  European integration after 1945 was aided by the Cold War and not Second World War.
(B) The US extended massive financial help for reviving Europe's economy under the Washington Plan. (Incorrect). It was the Marshall Plan, not the "Washington Plan," through which the US extended financial help to Europe.
(C) The Council of Europe was a step forward in political cooperation. (Correct)
(D) The European Union has political and diplomatic influence as it has members who hold permanent and non- permanent seats on the UN Security Council. (Correct). The EU, through its member states like France (a permanent member) and others that serve as non-permanent members, exerts significant political and diplomatic influence on the world stage.