What is it?

A group of countries whose governments work together.

Who is in it? Which European nations are NOT members?
Belgium 1957
France 1957
Netherlands 1957
Germany 1957
Italy 1957
Luxembourg 1957
Denmark 1973
Ireland 1973
UK 1973
Greece 1981
Portugal 1986
Spain 1986
Austria 1995
Finland 1995
Sweden 1995
Hungary 2004
Poland 2004
Czech Republic 2004
Slovak Republic 2004
Slovenia 2004
Estonia 2004
Latvia 2004
Lithuania 2004
Malta 2004
Cyprus 2004
Bulgaria 2007
Romania 2007
Croatia 2013
Non-members
1.Albania
2.Andorra
3.Belarus
4.Bosnia-Herzegovina
5.Croatia
6.Iceland
7.Liechtenstein
8.Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of)
9.Moldova
10.Monaco
11.Montenegro
12.Norway
13.Russia
14.San Marino
15.Serbia
16.Switzerland
17.Turkey
18.Ukraine
19.Vatican Cityn-members

What does it do?
Bring people in Europe closer together. The EU to become economically interdependent so more likely
to avoid conflict. European Economic Community (EEC), created in 1958, and initially increasing
economic cooperation between six countries: Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the
Netherlands. Since then, a huge single market has been created and continues to develop towards its full
potential.



How is it run?
The European council is people from each country coming to a meeting to come to an agreement on an
issue. The European parliament decides whether suggestions should be made into new laws. The
European commission does the daily work of running the EU as well as proposing new laws to better the
EU.
Who and why are some in the UK Pro-Europeans? People (from the UK) think being in the EU is a
great idea and other countries want to start using the Euro currency.
Who and why are some in the UK Eurosceptics? (Citizens in the UK)They think the UK is
losing its independence and its so called identity. The UK Independence party has 10 members and
they use their current positions to campaign for British withdrawal form EU. Closer economic and
political union is bad for their country which is why the strongly believe they should not be part of the
EU.
What is the Euro?
The euro is a type of money that is used by 16 countries in Europe.
How has the EU grown since its birth? They started out with 6 countries but since has added a
total of 27 countries.
Top five aims of the EU?
1) To improve economic and social progress
2) Working as a group the EU hope to be listened more by other countries.
3) Introduce European citizenship.
4) Make Europe an area of freedom, security, and justice.
5) Maintain and build on established EU law.