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 need to 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).
The history of the formation of the European Union began in 1951 with the formation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which included six countries (Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France and Germany). Within countries, all tariff and quantitative restrictions on trade in these goods were lifted.
March 25, 1957 The Treaty of Rome was signed to create European Economic Community(EEC) on the basis of the ECSC and the European Atomic Energy Community.
In 1967, three European communities (the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community) merged to form the European Community.
On June 14, 1985, the Schengen Agreement on the free movement of goods, capital and citizens was signed - an agreement providing for the abolition of customs barriers within the European Union while simultaneously tightening controls at the external borders of the EU (came into force on March 26, 1995).
On February 7, 1992, the Treaty establishing the European Union was signed in Maastricht (Netherlands) (came into force on November 1, 1993). The agreement completed the work of previous years to regulate the monetary and political systems of European countries.
In order to achieve the highest form economic integration The euro, the single EU currency, was created between EU states. The euro was introduced in non-cash form on the territory of EU member states on January 1, 1999, and cash banknotes on January 1, 2002. The euro replaced the ECU, the conventional unit of account of the European Community, which was a basket of currencies of all EU member states.
The European Union is responsible for matters relating in particular to the common market, customs union, a single currency (with some members maintaining their own currency), a common agricultural policy and a common fisheries policy.
The organization includes 27 European countries: Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Great Britain, Denmark, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Hungary, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Estonia. On January 1, 2007, Bulgaria and Romania officially joined the European Union.
European Union institutions:
Supreme political body the European Union is European Council. Like a meeting of heads of state at top level The Council actually determines the tasks of the Union and its relations with member states. Sessions are presided over by the President or Prime Minister of the country presiding over the governing bodies EU alternately for six months.
The highest executive body of the European Union is European Commission (CEC, Commission of the European Communities). The European Commission consists of 27 members, one from each member state. The commission plays main role in supporting the day-to-day activities of the EU. Each commissioner, like a minister of the national government, is responsible for a specific area of work.
European Parliament is an assembly of 786 deputies directly elected by citizens of EU member states for a term of five years. Deputies unite in accordance with their political orientation.
The EU's highest judicial body is European Court(official name - Court of Justice of the European Communities). The court consists of 27 judges (one from each member state) and nine advocates general. The Court regulates disagreements between member states, between member states and the European Union itself, between EU institutions, and issues opinions on international agreements.
(from January 1)
Council of the European Union
(from May 8)
- General
4,892,685 km²
- Total ()
- Density
499.673.325
116.4 people/km²
- Total ()
- GDP/person
$17.08·10¹²
$ 39,900
Signed
Entered into force
February 7
Nov. 1
(from +1 to +3 during Summer Time)
(with overseas departments of France,
UTC from −4 to +4)
European Union (European Union, EU) - an association of 27 European states that signed Treaty of European Union(Treaty of Maastricht). EU - unique international education: it combines the characteristics of an international organization and a state, but formally is neither one nor the other. The Union is not a subject of public international law, but has the authority to participate in international relations and plays a big role in them.
Special and dependent territories of EU Member States
EU territory on the world map European Union External regions Non-European states and territories
Special territories outside Europe that are part of the European Union:
Also, according to Article 182 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ( Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), Member States of the European Union associate with the European Union lands and territories outside Europe that maintain special relations with:
France -
Netherlands -
United Kingdom -
Requirements for applicants to join the EU
To join the European Union, a candidate country must meet the Copenhagen criteria. Copenhagen criteria- criteria for countries to join the European Union, which were adopted in June 1993 at the European Council meeting in Copenhagen and confirmed in December 1995 at the European Council meeting in Madrid. The criteria require that the state respect democratic principles, principles of freedom and respect for human rights, as well as the principle of the rule of law (Article 6, Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union). Also, the country must have a competitive market economy, and must recognize general rules and EU standards, including commitment to the goals of political, economic and monetary union.
Story
Logo of the Czech presidency in the first half of 2009
Ideas of pan-Europeanism, for a long time put forward by thinkers throughout the history of Europe, they sounded with particular force after the Second World War. In the post-war period, a number of organizations appeared on the continent: Council of Europe, NATO, Western European Union.
The first step towards the creation of a modern European Union was taken in: Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy signed the agreement establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC, ECSC - European Coal and Steel Community), the purpose of which was to pool European resources for the production of steel and coal, this agreement came into force in July 1952.
In order to deepen economic integration, the same six states established (EEC, Common Market) ( EEC - European Economic Community) and (Euratom, Euratom - European Atomic Energy Community). The most important and broadest in scope of these three European communities was the EEC, so in 1993 it was officially renamed the European Community ( EC - European Community).
The process of development and transformation of these European communities into the modern European Union occurred through, firstly, the transfer of an increasing number of management functions to the supranational level and, secondly, an increase in the number of integration participants.
History of EU enlargement
| Year | A country | General quantity members |
|---|---|---|
| March 25, 1957 | Belgium, Germany 1, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, France² | 6 |
| January 1, 1973 | UK*, Denmark³, Ireland | 9 |
| January 1, 1981 | Greece | 10 |
| January 1, 1986 | , | 12 |
| January 1, 1995 | , Finland , Sweden | 15 |
| May 1, 2004 | Hungary, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia | 25 |
| January 1, 2007 | Bulgaria, Romania | 27 |
Notes
² Including the overseas departments of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion and French Guiana. Algeria left France (and the EU) on July 5, 1962. Saint Pierre and Miquelon was an overseas department (and part of the EU) from until 1983. Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin, which seceded from Guadeloupe on 22 February 2007, will return to the EU after the Treaty of Lisbon comes into force.
° In 1973, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) joined the EU, along with the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Gibraltar
Norway
- The first pillar, the European Communities, combines the EU's predecessors: the European Community (formerly the European Economic Community) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). The third organization, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), ceased to exist in 2002 in accordance with the Paris Treaty that established it.
- The second support is called “general” foreign policy and Security Policy" (CFSP).
- The third pillar is “police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters.”
With the help of “pillars” the treaties delimit policy areas within the competence of the EU. In addition, the pillars provide a clear picture of the role of EU Member State governments and EU institutions in the decision-making process. Within the first pillar, the role of EU institutions is decisive. Decisions here are made by the “community method”. The Community is responsible for issues relating to, inter alia, the common market, the customs union, the single currency (with some members retaining their own currency), the common agricultural policy and the common fisheries policy, certain migration and refugee issues, as well as the cohesion policy. ). In the second and third pillars, the role of EU institutions is minimal and decisions are made by EU member states. This method of decision making is called intergovernmental. As a result of the Treaty of Nice (2001), some migration and refugee issues, as well as gender equality in the workplace, were moved from the second to the first pillar. Consequently, on these issues, the role of EU institutions vis-à-vis EU member states has increased.
Today, membership in the European Union, the European Community and Euratom is united; all states that join the Union become members of the Communities.
Chamber of Auditors
The Court of Auditors was created in 1975 to audit the budget of the EU and its institutions. Compound. The Chamber is composed of representatives of member states (one from each member state). They are appointed by the Council by unanimous vote for a six-year term and are completely independent in the performance of their duties.
- checks the income and expenditure reports of the EU and all its institutions and bodies with access to EU funds;
- monitors the quality of financial management;
- after the end of each financial year, draws up a report on its work, and also submits conclusions or comments on individual issues to the European Parliament and the Council;
- helps the European Parliament monitor the implementation of the EU budget.
Headquarters - Luxembourg.
European Central Bank
The European Central Bank was formed in 1998 from banks of 11 EU countries belonging to the Eurozone (Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg). Greece, which adopted the euro on January 1, 2001, became the twelfth country in the euro zone.
In accordance with Art. 8 of the Treaty establishing the European Community was founded European System of Central Banks- a supranational financial regulatory body that unites the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks of all 27 EU member countries. The ESCB is governed by the governing bodies of the ECB.
European Investment Bank
Created in accordance with the Treaty, on the basis of capital provided by member countries. The EIB has the functions of a commercial bank, operates in international financial markets, and provides loans to government agencies of its member countries.
Economic and Social Committee
(Economic and Social Committee) is an EU advisory body. Formed in accordance with the Treaty of Rome.
Compound. Consists of 344 members called councillors.
Functions. Advises the Council and Commission on EU socio-economic policy issues. Represents various sectors of the economy and social groups(employers, employees and liberal professions employed in industry, agriculture, service sector, as well as representatives of public organizations).
Members of the Committee are appointed by the Council by unanimous decision for a period of 4 years. The Committee elects a Chairman from among its members for a term of 2 years. After the admission of new states to the EU, the size of the Committee will not exceed 350 people (see Table 2).
Venue of meetings. The committee meets once a month in Brussels.
Committee of the Regions
(Committee of the Regions).
The Committee of the Regions is a consultative body providing representation of regional and local administrations in the work of the EU. The Committee was established in accordance with the Maastricht Treaty and has been operating since March 1994.
Consists of 344 members representing regional and local authorities, but completely independent in the performance of their duties. The number of members from each country is the same as in the Economic and Social Committee. Candidates are approved by the Council by unanimous decision based on proposals from member states for a period of 4 years. The Committee elects from among its members a Chairman and other officials for a period of 2 years.
Functions. Consults the Council and the Commission and gives opinions on all issues affecting the interests of the regions.
Location of the sessions. Plenary sessions are held in Brussels 5 times a year.
European Ombudsman Institute
The European Ombudsman Institute deals with complaints from citizens regarding the mismanagement of any EU institution or body. The decisions of this body are not binding, but have significant social and political influence.
15 specialized agencies and bodies
European Monitoring Center for Combating Racism and Xenophobia, Europol, Eurojust.
EU Law
A feature of the European Union that distinguishes it from others international organizations, is the presence of its own law, which directly regulates the relations not only of the member states, but also of their citizens and legal entities.
EU law consists of the so-called primary, secondary and tertiary (decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Communities). Primary law - EU founding treaties; contracts amending them (revision contracts); accession agreements for new member states. Secondary law - acts issued by EU bodies. Decisions of the Court of Justice of the European Union and other judicial bodies of the Union are widely used as case law.
EU law has direct effect on the territory of EU countries and takes precedence over the national legislation of states.
EU law is divided into institutional law (rules regulating the creation and functioning of EU institutions and bodies) and substantive law (rules regulating the process of implementing the goals of the EU and EU Communities). The substantive law of the EU, like the law of individual countries, can be divided into branches: EU customs law, environmental law EU, EU transport law, EU tax law, etc. Taking into account the structure of the EU (“three pillars”), EU law is also divided into the law of the European Communities, Schengen law, etc.
Languages of the European Union
IN European institutions 23 languages are officially used equally.
The European Union is an organization that unites 27 European countries. And although this political education is not a state, it still has a number of characteristic features modern countries features, including unique symbolism.
Flag
The flag of the European Union features 12 gold stars, arranged like numbers on a dial, on a blue background. This flag was originally designed for the Council of Europe (an organization not directly related to the European Union), but since 1985 it has been chosen to represent the “European Communities” (the predecessor to the current EU). The circular arrangement of stars is meant to symbolize unity, solidarity and harmony, while the blue background represents the Western world.
The official explanation for the number of stars on the flag is that “the number 12 traditionally symbolizes completeness and unity” (think of the 12 signs of the zodiac, months of the year, semitones in the octave, the apostles). However, there are other interpretations. Thus, the creator of the flag, Arsen Heitz, spoke about the influence of Christianity on the creation of the symbol, since in the Western tradition the Virgin Mary is depicted with a halo of 12 stars. But the number of stars has nothing to do with the number of participating countries.
Hymn
The EU Anthem is an instrumental version of Ludwig van Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" (part of the 9th Symphony), based on a poem by Friedrich Schiller. The anthem symbolizes the "European ideals of freedom, peace and solidarity." The official instrumental arrangements for the anthem were written by one of the most famous European conductors, Herbert von Karajan.
Joy, unearthly flame,(translated by I. V. Mirimsky)
The heavenly spirit that has flown to us
Intoxicated by you
We entered your bright temple.
You bring us closer without effort
All separated by enmity,
Where you spread your wings
People are brothers among themselves.
Konstantin Zenkin,
Professor of the Moscow State Conservatory. P. I. Tchaikovsky for Kommersant:
«
“The reason for this choice is the text of “Ode to Joy,” which speaks of the unity and brotherhood of all people and nations. Besides, this music is quite simple, popular and catchy."
Motto
“Unity in diversity” is the motto of the European Union, officially adopted in 2000. It symbolizes diversity European cultures and nations, as well as the common goal of achieving peace and prosperity.
INTERESTING
English language- a modern lingua franca - is also one of the most widely spoken languages of the European Union. However, its dominant position at one time met with powerful criticism: the slogan of the opposition was the statement “The European Union is Tower of Babel, not the Tower of London."
The idea of creating a community European countries appeared after the Second World War. Officially, the countries of the European Union united in 1992, when the Union was legally established. Gradually, the list of EU member countries expanded, and now it already includes 28 states. You can see which countries are currently members of the European Union in the list below.
What is the European Union (EU)
The European powers that have joined this community have state sovereignty and independence, each of them has its own language, its own governing bodies, both local and central. Nevertheless, they have a lot in common. There are certain criteria that they must meet; they must coordinate all important political decisions with each other.
States wishing to join this oasis of prosperity must prove their commitment to the main principles of the Union and European values:
- Democracy.
- Protection of human rights.
- Principles of free trade in a market economy.
The EU has its own governing bodies: the European Parliament, the European Court of Justice, the European Commission, as well as a special audit community that controls the budget of the European Union.
With the help of common laws, the countries that are now members of the EU have effectively created a single market. Many of them use a single monetary currency - the euro. In addition, the majority, which allows their citizens to travel almost unhindered throughout the European Union.
Countries belonging to the European Union (EU)
Today the EU includes the following countries:
- Austria.
- Bulgaria.
- Belgium.
- Great Britain.
- Germany.
- Hungary.
- Greece.
- Italy.
- Spain.
- Denmark.
- Ireland.
- Lithuania.
- Latvia.
- Republic of Cyprus.
- Malta.
- Netherlands.
- Luxembourg.
- Slovenia.
- Slovakia.
- Poland.
- Finland.
- France.
- Portugal.
- Romania.
- Croatia.
- Sweden.
- Czech Republic.
- Estonia.
These are the countries included in the EU list for 2020. In addition, there are several more countries aspiring to join the community: Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Turkey and Albania.
There is a special map of the European Union on which you can clearly see its geography:
The economic activities of the EU countries have much in common. The economy of each state is independent, but they all contribute certain shares that make up the total GDP.
In addition, the EU pursues a customs union policy. This means that its members can trade with other members without any quantitative restrictions and without paying duties. In relation to powers that are not members of the community, a single customs tariff applies.
Since the founding of the EU, not a single member state has yet left it. The only exception was Greenland, a Danish autonomy with fairly broad powers, which left the Union in 1985, outraged by the reduction in fishing quotas. Finally, a sensational event was the referendum in Great Britain, held in June 2016, in which the majority of the population voted for the country to leave the Union. This indicates that considerable problems are brewing in this influential community.