In 2016, many people around the world learned the word Brexit. This was the name given to Britain's possible exit from the European Union, on which a referendum was held in the country on June 23 of the same year. But what now? Is Great Britain a member of the European Union, what is its relationship with the united Europe? Let's try to figure it out.

Composition of the state

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, an island state in northwestern Europe, is a rather unusual country in terms of its territorial structure. It is unitary, while its constituent parts, which are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, enjoy very broad autonomy.

England

The largest and most famous part of the United Kingdom. Actually, when people talk about England, they often mean the whole of Great Britain. Most of the population of the United Kingdom lives here, its main attractions and industrial enterprises are located. It is in England that one of the oldest higher education institutions is located educational institutions planet - and the capital of Great Britain - London.

Scotland

A mountainous country known for castles, whiskey, the Loch Ness Monster and colorful locals. A lesser known fact is that its territory includes about eight hundred islands, of which about three hundred are uninhabitable. In 2014, a referendum on independence was held in Scotland, where opponents of secession from the UK won by a small margin.

Wales

Perhaps the most little-known part of Great Britain. Meanwhile, it can boast of a large number of castles - there are about six hundred of them. There are two official languages ​​recognized in Wales - English and Welsh, the latter being one of the oldest on the planet.

Northern Ireland

Located in the northeast of the island of Ireland. The smallest part of the United Kingdom. It should not be confused with the Republic of Ireland, which is an independent state. The official languages ​​of this area, in addition to English, are Ulster-Scots and Irish. In addition to the Celtic flavor, its natural beauty is noteworthy.

Which countries are part of the European Union

The idea of ​​a united Europe began to take hold of minds after the bloody Second World War. Nevertheless, the European nations had a long way to go before political unification. At the moment, the European Union is not a state, it is only a political and economic association that includes 28 member states:

• Denmark;
• France;
• Hungary;
• Belgium;
• Austria;
• Italy;
• Greece;
• Ireland;
• Spain;
• Germany;
• Cyprus;
• Latvia;
• Poland;
• Bulgaria;
• Lithuania;
• Malta;
• Slovenia;
• Slovakia;
• Finland;
• Luxembourg;
• Estonia;
• Romania;
• Croatia;
• Portugal;
• Czech Republic;
• Netherlands;
• Sweden.

Each EU member delegates part of its powers to union bodies, while maintaining sovereignty. Within the framework of this organization, there are various agreements that may unite all participating countries, or may only unite some of them. An example of the latter is the Eurozone, which includes 19 states that have abandoned their national money in favor of the euro. The UK is not one of them; its currency is still the pound sterling.

UK and EU today

On January 1, 1973, when Great Britain joined the EU, or rather the European Economic Community, which preceded the current European Union, British politicians rejoiced at the long-awaited success. The fact is that the country ended up there only the third time. The first two applications were rejected due to a veto by French President de Gaulle.

Returning to the question of whether Great Britain is in the EU or not, in 2019 we can give a clear answer: the United Kingdom is a member of the European Union. Nevertheless, we can say with a high degree of confidence that she has been there for the last year. In 2016, a national referendum was held in which Her Majesty’s subjects decided the question of whether or not to be part of the association. Supporters of secession won by a minimal margin, motivating their position by the economic disadvantage of membership in the organization. The country's exit from the EU is scheduled for March 2019.

Is it included in Schengen

For those who want to visit the country of the Beatles and Sherlock Holmes, the question will be relevant: whether England is part of Schengen or not. In 2019, a UK visa will be required to enter the UK. The fact is that Great Britain is not part of the Schengen zone. The process of obtaining a visa begins with the preparation of an application, which must be filled out on the embassy website. You must print it out, certify it with your signature and paste the photo in the place provided for this. Next you will need:

• a foreign passport, the validity of which must expire no earlier than six months from the end of the trip;
• one more photo;
• a certificate from work, which contains information about the position and monthly income (for a pensioner - a pension certificate).

Everyone knows that list of EU countries consists of twenty-seven components. The main task of the association is regional integration. By the way, EU countries were consolidated into a single association by the Maastricht Treaty back in 1992 under the law of the European Communities. Below I will introduce you EU map by country.

About interesting facts By the way, I know that house exchange is very common in Europe , this is a very interesting and profitable type of tourism, I tell you. During your vacation, you simply exchange houses with those people who would like to visit your country, and you - theirs. Agree, brilliant? I think with the increase in self-awareness of the inhabitants of our country, this experience will take root with us.

Using general laws EU countries created a single market that ensures trouble-free transportation of EU residents, products, services and all goods. Moreover, within the Schengen zone, people do without identity control, and it includes not only EU countries, but also a state that does not belong to its territory.

The main activity of the European Union is the adoption of various laws, directives, regulations, and so on within the framework of law and other internal affairs. Also list of EU countries tries to create the same policy in the field of trade, agriculture, fisheries, as well as everything regional development. Seventeen of the twenty-seven countries of the European Union use a single monetary currency - the euro, thus forming the eurozone.

The European Union, being a subject of international official public law, has the authority to take part in many international relations and facilitate the conclusion of relevant agreements.

In 2018, talk about the withdrawal of some countries from the European Union became more frequent, due to the political situation in the world. In this article we will look at which countries are members of the European Union in 2019.

Today the European Union includes 28 countries.
In addition to major powers, the list also includes a number of autonomous regions that are subordinate to larger states. Among the autonomous territories are the Åland Islands, the Azores and others.

Which countries are members of the European Union, list in 2019

Map of the European Union with countries and capitals, EU borders

IMPORTANT: EU countries are pursuing policies customs union. There is a duty-free trade system within the Union, and the quantity of goods moving between countries does not matter, and therefore is not taxed. Those powers that were not lucky enough to join the Union trade at a single customs tariff.

It should be noted that each EU segment retains its own economy and has all the powers to independently conduct economic activities. BUT mandatory monetary influences in the treasury. The investments of 28 states make up the GDP of the entire Union.

Accession to the EU

All current members of the European Union have gone through certain stages that must be completed in order to join the Union. The so-called Copenhagen criteria.

What are the requirements for candidates for entry?

1. “Any European state may apply to become a member of the Union.”

REFERENCE: What “European state” means is not entirely clear. Despite the fact that the phrase is used as a term, its clear definition has not yet been given. In practice, “European” is interpreted as a state that belongs to Europe geographically, as well as culturally, historically and politically close to the values ​​of the Union.

2. A country applying for membership must respect the values , which underlie the European Union, share them and ensure the maintenance of these values ​​within their state.

IMPORTANT: Basic requirements: “respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.”

The Treaty on European Union also includes secondary requirements for candidates for accession. They are named named in Art. 49 "compliance criteria"
The terms of the TEU are set by the heads of EU member states.

Candidates for accession to the European Union in 2019

Several countries have submitted their candidacies to join the European Union:

• Republic of Albania.
• Montenegro.
• Republic of Macedonia.
• Republic of Serbia.
• Turkish Republic.

REFERENCE: Serbia and Montenegro even have a tentative entry date set for 2025.

There are also potential candidates:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Republic of Kosovo

They are not candidates yet. There is a fundamental difference between legal status candidate country and potential candidate country.

Which countries were the first to join the European Union?

The first echelon included only 6 countries (all Western European): Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, federal Republic Germany, France. This composition is relevant for the period of the 50s - 60s of the twentieth century.

Already in 1793 there was an increase in the number of allied countries. The so-called expansion, which ended with the annexation of Great Britain, Denmark and Ireland.

1981 was the date of signing the agreement also with Greece, and 1986 with Spain and Portugal.

REFERENCE: The Treaty on the European Union was signed only in 1992 (it came into force on November 1, 1993). Only from that moment on did the European Union emerge in the format in which it exists to this day. Since 1993, he has lived according to the rules of the DES and entry is carried out according to strictly established regulations.

The first countries to join the EU according to all official procedures and established stages were Austria, Finland and Sweden.

Only in the twenty-first century did further expansion of the union (to the East) begin.
On 1 May 2004, the EU admitted Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and the islands of Cyprus and Malta.

In 2005, an agreement was signed, and in 2007, Eastern European Bulgaria and Romania became EU members.

Which country was the last to join the EU?

Croatia recently joined the European Union. On this moment it is the last country to move from candidate status to EU member status.

The Croats applied for membership back in 2003, and for ten years they went through the procedure of joining the union. In 2004, the European Commission approved the initiative and allowed Croatia to become a candidate.

The process was delayed due to the intervention of Slovenia, whose officials made it clear that they had a number of objections to Croatia's accession to the EU.
In 2009, the situation was resolved with the help of international representatives.

The signing of related agreements took place in 2012, and in 2013 they entered into force, making Croatia a full member of the European Union.

European countries outside the EU

• Liechtenstein
• Monaco
• Switzerland
• Russia
• Belarus
• Moldova
• Ukraine
• Norway
• Andorra
• Vatican
• San Marino
• Albania and Macedonia (cannot become candidates for accession, as they are in a state of territorial disputes)
• Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan (partially located on European territory)
• Kosovo (cannot join the Union, since not all countries recognize it as an independent state)
• Transnistria (the issue of secession from Moldova has not been fully resolved)

REFERENCE: Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican are partners of the EU, actively cooperate with the countries of the Union, and the official currency of these states is the euro.

The European Union has existed for almost 90 years, during which time only one country has left it (Greenland), which in 1985 expressed outrage over the reduction of fishing quotas.

Today, most European powers are united into a single community called the Eurozone. On their territory there is a single commodity market, a visa-free regime, and a common currency (euro) has been introduced. To understand which countries are currently part of the European Union and what its development trends are, it is necessary to turn to history.

Currently the EU includes (the year of accession is indicated in brackets):

• Austria (1995)
• Belgium (1957)
• Bulgaria (2007)
• UK (1973)
• Hungary (2004)
• Germany (1957)
• Greece (1981)
• Denmark (1973)
• Ireland (1973)
• Spain (1986)
• Italy (1957)
• Cyprus (2004)
• Latvia (2004)
• Lithuania (2004)
• Luxembourg (1957)
• Malta (2004)
• Netherlands (1957)
• Poland (2004)
• Slovakia (2004)
• Slovenia (2004)
• Portugal (1986)
• Romania (2007)
• Finland (1995)
• France (1957)
• Croatia (2013)
• Czech Republic (2004)
• Sweden (1995)
• Estonia (2004)

Map of the European Union for 2020. Click to enlarge.

Historical facts

For the first time, proposals for European integration were voiced back in the 19th century (1867) at the Paris Conference. But due to deep and fundamental contradictions between the powers, it took almost 100 years for the matter to reach practical implementation. During this time European states I had to go through many local and 2 world wars. Only after the end of the Second World War, these ideas began to be discussed again and gradually put into practice. This is explained by the fact that the EU member countries realized that the rapid and effective restoration of national economies, as well as their further development, can only be carried out by pooling resources and efforts. This is clearly evidenced by the chronology of the development of the European Community.

The start of the creation of a new association was the proposal of R. Schumann (head of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs) about its organization in the field of use and production of steel and coal, combining the natural reserves of Germany and France. This happened on 05/09/1950. In 1951, a document on the creation of the ECSC was signed in the capital of France. In addition to the above-mentioned powers, it was signed by: Luxenburg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy.

At the beginning of 1957, the powers that are part of the ECSC signed two more treaties establishing the European EuroAtom communities, as well as the EEC. Three years later the EFTA Association was also created.

1963 - The foundation of associated relations between the community itself and Africa is laid. This allowed the 18 republics of the continent to fully enjoy for 5 years all the benefits of cooperation with the EEC (financial, technical, trade).

1964 - creation of a single agricultural market. At the same time, FEOGA began its activities to support the agricultural sector.

1968 - the end of the formation of the Customs Union.

Beginning of 1973 - the list of EU countries is replenished: Great Britain, Denmark, Ireland.

1975 - The EU and 46 countries from different parts of the globe sign a convention on trade cooperation, called the Lo Mei Convention.

1979 - introduction of EMU.

1981 - Greece joins the EU.

1986 - Spain and Portugal join.

In 1990, the Schengen Agreement was adopted.

1992 - signing of the Maastricht Treaty.

November 1, 1993 - official renaming to the European Union.

1995 - entry of Sweden, Finland, Austria.

1999 - introduction of the non-cash euro.

2002 - the euro is introduced for cash payments.

2004 - another EU expansion: Cyprus, Malta, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland.

2007 - Romania and Bulgaria joined.

2013 - Croatia becomes the 28th EU member.

The development process of the Eurozone has not been and is not going smoothly all the time. For example, at the end of 1985, Greenland, which had previously joined Denmark, left it, but after gaining independence, the citizens of the state made the appropriate decision. In 2016, a referendum was held in the UK, in which the majority of the population (almost 52%) voted to terminate membership. At the time of writing, the British were in the early stages of leaving the union.

Today on the map of the Eurozone you can see states and islands that are not geographically part of Europe. This is explained by the fact that they were automatically annexed along with the other states to which they belong.

As the current situation in the world shows, the countries that are members of the European Union today have different views on their membership in it and development prospects in general, especially in light of latest events related to the UK decision.

Entry Criteria

European countries that are not members of the European Union, but wish to become members, must take into account that there are certain criteria that they must meet. Find out more detailed information You can learn about them from a special document called the “Copenhagen Criteria”. Important attention here is paid to:

• principles of democracy;
• human rights;
• development of economic competitiveness.

All important political decisions taken by EU Member States are mandatory are agreed upon.

To join this community, each applicant is tested for compliance " Copenhagen criteria" Based on the results of the check, a decision is made about the power’s readiness to add to this list or to wait a little longer.

If the decision is negative, then a list of parameters and criteria must be drawn up that should be brought back to normal within a specified time frame. Compliance with the instructions is constantly monitored. After bringing the parameters back to normal, another study is carried out and then a conclusion is drawn whether the power is ready or not for membership.

The euro is considered the common currency in the Eurozone, but not all EU members adopted it on their territory in 2020. Of the 9 countries, Denmark and Great Britain have a special status, Sweden also does not recognize the euro as its national currency, but may change this attitude in the near future, and 6 more powers are just preparing for introduction.

Contenders

If you look at which countries are members of the European Union, and who is currently a candidate to join its ranks, then one can well expect an expansion of the association; to date, 5 candidates have been officially announced: Albania, Turkey, Serbia, Macedonia, and Montenegro. Among the potential ones we can highlight Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are also contenders among states located on other continents that previously signed an association agreement: Chile, Lebanon, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, South Africa and others.

Economic activity and its basic principles

Current economic activity on the territory of the European Union as a whole consists of the economies of individual states that are part of the association. But despite this, each country on the international market is an independent unit. The total GDP consists of the contributed shares of each participating power. gives the right to live and work throughout the commonwealth.

The largest percentage of income over the past years has been brought by countries such as Germany, Spain, Great Britain, Italy and France. The main strategic resources are oil products, gas, and coal. In terms of petroleum product reserves, the EU ranks 14th in the world.

Another significant source of income is tourism. This is facilitated by a visa-free regime, vibrant trade relations and a single currency.

By analyzing which states are members of the European Union and who is a candidate for membership, one can make various forecasts. But in any case, the integration of economies will continue in the near future and most likely powers located on other continents will be involved.

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