The Union of European States is built on a visa-free regime, has a single economic space and currency. Possessing sovereignty, all countries live in accordance with the developed general rules that apply to all strata of life, whether it be international politics, education, medicine or social services.
Organization History
For the first time, the idea of integrating European states was voiced at a conference in Paris, which took place in 1867. However, it was not realized. The disagreements between the participants were so significant that before joining the European Union they had to survive two world wars.
The trend towards unification appeared shortly after the end of World War II, when the leading countries came to a common opinion that the regeneration and development of economies is real only with close joint cooperation. The idea of the fifty-year-long path of European countries towards unification is most evident in the sequence of all events.
Chronology
Initially, joining the union implied the integration of the coal mining and steel industries of two large countries - England and France. This was already mentioned in 1950 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the latter. In those days, no one expected such a significant expansion of the organization.
The European Union was created in 1957. It includes countries with developed economies. The organization included the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Belgium. Since March 1957, such countries as Finland, Austria and Sweden joined the union.
In the spring of 2003, at the EU summit in Greece, they signed an agreement on the admission of 10 more countries. As a result, Slovenia integrated in 2007, Cyprus and Malta a year later. Slovakia joined in 2009, and Estonia in 2001. Since the beginning of 2014, Latvia was voiced as the 18th member of the European Union. Also joined the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Hungary.
Some member countries of the European Union have introduced into the composition and territories, which are in political subordination. For example, Reunion, Saint Martin, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Mayotte and French Guiana entered with France. Spain attracted the Canary Islands and the provinces of Melilla and Ceuta. In parallel with Portugal, Madeira and the Azores entered. Despite such a significant expansion, in 1985 Greenland left the EU.
So how many EU members are there in total? The last country that joined the EU cooperation was Croatia. This happened in 2013. She became the 28th member. At present, the union is not increasing or decreasing.
Membership Criteria
Not all states comply with EU requirements. The content of the basic rules is set out in a special document. By 1993, the experience of the coexistence of states was accumulated, and on this basis general criteria were put forward that are taken into account when entering the association of a new country.
The norms were adopted in Copenhagen and received the corresponding name - Copenhagen. The core of the rules are democratic values. The main attention is paid to freedom and respect for the rights of every citizen. A large role is given to the fact that potential members of the European Union have the right to compete with their economies. General principles for building a state should be based on the goals of Union standards.
How are decisions made?
Before taking any important step in the field of politics, all members of the European Union are obliged to submit the issue for general consideration.
It will be approved according to the Copenhagen criteria. The final decision can significantly affect the country's public life.
Every European country that wants to replenish the list of countries is checked for compliance with particular scrupulousness. As a result, a verdict is issued on the readiness or unwillingness of the adoption of a new country in the union. In case of refusal to the state, its insolvency in one or another sphere is indicated. Deficiencies should be brought to normal. After that, the country is regularly monitored to ensure that the necessary reforms are being systematically implemented. Based on the data obtained, a conclusion is made about readiness for integration.
The presence of a single currency
The EU member states, in addition to the general political vector and visa-free space, use a single monetary unit - the euro. Banknotes have been introduced since 2002 in countries such as Belgium, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Austria and Finland.
By 2016, 19 out of 28 countries accepted the euro on their territory. Other members of the European Union are preparing the transition to this currency. The exception is England and Denmark. These countries have special denial. Sweden also expressed its disagreement with using the euro, but perhaps it will change its decision in the near future.
Candidates for joining
Most countries in Europe seek full membership in the EU. For 2016, associate candidates are Serbia, Turkey, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania. Potential bidders include Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In different years, the accession agreement was signed by some other countries. They included states located outside Europe, which suggests that the EU goes beyond the Eurasian continent. Developing economies are also candidates for membership.
Also, Ukraine and Moldova expressed a desire to join. This happened in 2014. It is difficult to judge how the integration of countries with developing economies will affect Europe.
What does the entry agreement imply?
The accession agreement implies the mandatory implementation of major reforms in the associative states, the improvement of the legislative framework in accordance with European standards.
In exchange for this, countries can receive duty-free presence on the European market, financial and technical assistance.
To date, associate members of the European Union - 17 countries. Among them, not everyone is in Europe. Among the applicants is even Palestine.
Over the entire period of the existence of the EU, many association agreements have been signed, just many European countries have left the association and become full members of the EU (Poland, Romania, Bulgaria).
In 20 years, Russia may join the EU
Russia is a member of the European Union … Is it real?
Czech President Milos Zeman expressed an opinion on this issue. According to him, the economies of Russia and Europe complement each other. The first needs improved technology, and the second needs energy. At the same time, the Czech leader expressed confidence that freedom of speech, transparency of elections were observed in our country, there was no oppression of opposition parties and there was self-government in the regions.
UK role in the EU
The UK is a member of the European Union, but after the victory in the 2015 election, John Cameron proposed the idea of England leaving the organization. The EU was undergoing a crisis. This proposal was not implemented, and the collapse of the organization was prevented.
At the summit in Brussels in 2016, they signed an agreement on granting Britain special status.
EU members have made significant concessions to this state:
- For 7 years - from 2017 to 2023 - the British government will not pay social benefits, first in full, and then partially to labor migrants from other European countries.
- England and other EU countries receive the right to index the benefits for migrant children remaining in their country. The basis of the payments will not be the standard of living in the Kingdom, but the social conditions of the country where the child lives. This provision is valid until January 1, 2020.
- The inhabitants of Britain will no longer be required to political unification.
- England gained the right to defend its commercial segment of the City. British firms will not be discriminated against because they are not part of the eurozone.
- Kingdom national security issues will remain in government competence.
- The troops of England will not be part of the pan-European army if created.
According to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, innovation in the payment of benefits for children is beneficial for her country. She is unanimous with Cameron about cutting back on social benefits.
Is it too early to triumph?
Inspired by his victory, the British Prime Minister will begin to agitate the citizens of England on absenteeism from the EU. However, it’s rather difficult to say with certainty that this proposal will win the election.
Cameron is sure of a total victory, but there are those who doubt it.
Some skeptics were unsatisfied with the agreement. They consider it insignificant. The opposition claims the prime minister promised more privileges in the conservative manifesto.
There are enough opponents of the EU in the English government itself. For example, such is the Minister of Justice Michael Gove. He does not hide the negative attitude towards the EU and will agitate the citizens of England to vote against integration.
Even in the Conservative Party itself, of which Cameron is a representative, there is no unanimity on this issue. Therefore, the struggle for Britain to leave the EU will continue.
The British will be offered a referendum. It was originally supposed to be held in 2017. But increasingly, another date sounds - June 23, 2016, although officially this information is not supported by anything.
Features of the economic life of the EU
The economy of the EU is the sum of the economies of all its constituent countries. In addition, each state in the international market is a separate player.
The European Union defends the interests of each member and acts as a regulator of all disputed issues. Each country is required to contribute its share of GDP and the total contribution. The members of the European Union who contribute the lion's share of income are France, Italy, Germany, England and Spain.
The specific amount of revenue from each state is calculated by a special authority. If we take into account all the natural resources of the EU members, we can derive the coefficient of the volume of wealth that the organization possesses for 2016. The main natural resources are oil, coal and gas. The total black gold reserve by production level puts the EU 13th in the world.
Another powerful income lever is the tourism business. The population of the European Union is actively moving, which facilitates the openness of borders. This factor, as well as the commonality of the currency contribute to lively relations in the field of trade and tourism between states.
Thus, the EU, which was originally conceived as a trade association of several countries, grew by 2016 almost into an independent unit, including 28 participants. In total, the population of the association is 500 million people.
The accumulation of economies defines a highly efficient redistribution of funds and resources and helps support states that have weaker economies.
