EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (2024)

SINCE ITS CREATION IN 1957, THE EU HAS GROWN FROM 6 TO 27 COUNTRIES. THESE COUNTRIES JOINED FORCES TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE TOGETHER. WHICH COUNTRIES ARE MEMBERS OF THE EU AND WHEN DID THEY JOIN? IN THIS CHAPTER YOU WILL LEARN HOW THE EU BECAME WHAT IT IS TODAY AND WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE.

EU Member States

The European Union is a unique partnership between 27 European countries, known as Member States, or EU countries. Together they cover much of the European continent. The EU is home to around 447million people, which is around 6% of the world’s population. Citizens of the EUcountries are also EU citizens.

EXERCISE 1 WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE EU?

Look at the list of flags and country names below. They are all European but they don’t all belong to the European Union. Once you have identified the EU countries, locate them on the map. If you need help, take a look at this website: europa.eu/!cW78Hk

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (2)

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (3) ALBANIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (4) ANDORRA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (5) AUSTRIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (6) BELARUS

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (7) BELGIUM

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (8) BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (9) BULGARIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (10) CROATIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (11) CYPRUS

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (12) CZECHIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (13) DENMARK

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (14) ESTONIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (15) FINLAND

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (16) FRANCE

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (17) GERMANY

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (18) GREECE

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (19) HUNGARY

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (20) ICELAND

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (21) IRELAND

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (22) ITALY

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (23) LATVIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (24) LIECHTENSTEIN

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (25) LITHUANIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (26) LUXEMBOURG

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (27) MALTA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (28) MOLDOVA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (29) MONACO

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (30) MONTENEGRO

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (31) NORTH MACEDONIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (32) NETHERLANDS

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (33) NORWAY

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (34) POLAND

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (35) PORTUGAL

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (36) ROMANIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (37) SAN MARINO

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (38) SERBIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (39) SLOVAKIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (40) SLOVENIA

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (41) SPAIN

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (42) SWEDEN

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (43) SWITZERLAND

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (44) TÜRKIYE

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (45) UKRAINE

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (46) UNITED KINGDOM

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (47) VATICAN CITY

Complete the exercise online

ANSWERS TO THE EXERCISES

EXERCISE 2 HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE VARIOUS EU COUNTRIES?

Imagine you work for a national tourist board. Choose the two EU countries that you know best and write a short text about them for tourists. For example, how many people live in these two countries and what are their capital cities? What do they have to offer to visitors (food, culture, language and so on)?

DID YOU KNOW?

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (48)The EU has nine regions which are located far from the European continent. These overseas territories (also known as ‘outermost regions’) are: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion and Saint Martin (France), the Azores and Madeira (Portugal) and the Canary Islands (Spain).

EU official languages

The European Union has 24 official languages.

Why so many? The EU would not exist without its Member States and its people. As a democratic organisation, the EU has to communicate with the governments of the Member States and their inhabitants, companies and public bodies in their own languages. Everyone living in the EU has the right to know what is being done in their name and with their taxes, and what rules they have to follow. They should also be able to participate in EU affairs without first having to learn another language.

Dobró útro / Buenos días
Dobré ráno / Godmorgen
Guten Morgen / Tere hommikust
Kalimera / Good morning
Bonjour / Dia DUIT
Dobro jutro / Buongiorno
Labas rytas / Labrīt
JÓ NAPOT / L-Għodwa t-Tajba
Goedemorgen / Dzień dobry
Bom dia / Bună dimineaţa
Dobré ráno / Dobro jutro
Hyvää huomenta / God morgon

DID YOU KNOW?

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (49)You can write to the EU institutions in any of the EU’s 24 official languages and you will receive a reply in that language.

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (50)

European values

Have you ever heard the phrase ‘United in diversity’? It’s the EU’s motto and encapsulates what the EU’s values are all about. While each EU country has its own culture, language and traditions, they all share the same common values which they must comply with as members of the European Union.

One fundamental value that unites all EU countries is democracy. This means that only democratic countries can be members of the EU. Other values that are common to all EU countries are respect for human dignity, freedom, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of people belonging to minority groups.

The EU is founded on six core values that form the basis of our society:

  • respect for human dignity
  • freedom
  • democracy
  • equality
  • the rule of law
  • respect for human rights, including those of minorities.

These values have been fought for over many years and have shaped the kind of society we live in today.

The EU’s values are set out in the EU treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. These are important legal texts that all EU countries have approved and must therefore respect.

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (51) WATCH THE VIDEO: EU values explained in 1 minute europa.eu/!uwrcHp

The EU treaties contain the rules that guide the work of the EU. They are amended from time to time, for example when new countries join or when there are changes to how the EU works. The most recent treaty is the Lisbon Treaty, which was signed in the Portuguese capital in 2007.

Find out more about the EU treaties: europa.eu/!gy77mf

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union came into force with the Lisbon Treaty. It set out the rights and freedoms that all people living in the EU enjoy, such as personal, economic and social rights. To reflect modern society, the charter includes newer fundamental rights, such as data protection and guarantees on bioethics. It also includes specific provisions on the rights of under-18s, ensuring that children’srights are part of the human rights that the EU and its Member States are obliged to comply with and protect.

Find out more about the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU: fra.europa.eu/en/eu-charter and the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child: ec.europa.eu/info/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/rights-child_en

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (52)

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (53)

From 6 to 27 EUcountries

The EU is made up of very different countries. The EU country with the largest population is Germany, which has around 84million inhabitants, while the smallest, Malta, has 500000 inhabitants. In the EU, people speak different languages which use one of three different alphabets (Latin, Greek and Cyrillic). There are different traditions, cultures, foods and festivals in each country.

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (54)

DID YOU KNOW?

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (55)EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (56)The European flag is made up of 12 golden stars in a circle on a blue background. It was adopted in 1984 by the European Union (which was called the European Economic Community at the time) and now flies above buildings, parks and monuments all over Europe. The number of stars never changes– it is always 12. They symbolise unity, solidarity and harmony among the people of Europe.

EXERCISE 3 WHAT DO THE EU’S VALUES AND PRINCIPLES MEAN IN PRACTICE?

Part 1. Put a cross in the correct column for each of the eight questions below. In small groups, discuss what you think a country can or cannot do if it wants to be part of the EU.

A country … (A)
can join the EU
(B)
can’t join the EU
1. that does not have freedom of the press YES / NO YES / NO
2. that applies the death penalty YES / NO YES / NO
3. that allows its citizens to protest against the government YES / NO YES / NO
4. in which the parliament is elected on a regular basis YES / NO YES / NO
5. in which the army determines policy and may even intervene in internal affairs with military power YES / NO YES / NO
6. in which people are considered innocent until their guilt has been established by a court YES / NO YES / NO
7. in which there is only one party which is always in government YES / NO YES / NO
8. which protects minorities, even when the majority is against them YES / NO YES / NO

Part 2. In small groups, choose two of the six EU values listed below and discuss what they mean to you.

  • ► Democracy
  • ► Human dignity
  • ► Freedom
  • ► Equality
  • ► Rule of Law
  • ► Respect for human rights

Complete the exercise online

ANSWERS TO THE EXERCISES

How did it all begin?

After two destructive world wars in the first half of the twentieth century (1914–1918 and 1939–1945), people were determined that nothing like that should ever be allowed to happen again.

Between 1945 and 1950, some European politicians, including Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer, Alcide De Gasperi and Winston Churchill, began the process of creating the European Union we live in today. Their vision was to unite European countries economically and politically in order to secure lasting peace and prosperity.

On 9May 1950, France’s Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, proposed merging European production of coal and steel. At the time, these were the raw materials used for war– coal as an energy resource, and steel for weapons and machinery. By pooling their production, no one country could secretly arm itself against the others. Following this proposal, the European Coal and Steel Community came into being in 1952. It was founded by six neighbouring countries– Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands– and laid the foundations for the EU we know today.

You can discover more about the people and politicians who shaped the European Union over the years in our EU Pioneers series here:

europa.eu/!MtRV9x

Building on the European Coal and Steel Community

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (57)

A few years later, the six founding countries decided to extend their cooperation to other economic sectors. The Treaty of Rome was signed in 1957, establishing the European Economic Community, and came into force in 1958. Its initial aim was to foster trade and further economic integration between the participating countries.

New members

In 1973, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom(*) joined the European Economic Community. A few years later, with the end of right-wing dictatorships in southern Europe, three countries became eligible to apply for membership. The first of these was Greece, which joined in 1981. Portugal and Spain followed in 1986. In 1993, the European Union was created and Austria, Finland and Sweden joined 2years later. This brought the EU’s membership to 15.

Soon after the Second World War, Europe was split into east and west by the ‘iron curtain’ as the 40-year-long Cold War began. The Berlin Wall was a symbol of this division as it split the city of Berlin in two. After the fall of communism in 1989, the formerly communist central and eastern European countries started a process of democratisation and applied to join the EU.

In 2004, eight countries from central and eastern Europe joined the EU: Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. In the same year, the Mediterranean islands of Cyprus and Malta also became members. In 2007, Bulgaria and Romania joined, followed by Croatia in 2013.

The addition of new EU members has expanded the common market and helped maintain peace and prosperity in Europe. Any new member must be prepared to sign up to the treaties and take on board the full body of EU law. It must respect the EU’s values, such as the principles of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Beyond its own borders, the EU also maintains strong relationships with neighbouring countries. The European neighbourhood policy supports the security, stability and prosperity of the countries to the immediate east and south of the EU. In addition, the EU’s enlargement policy covers potential new members. Beyond the ‘neighbourhood’ region, the EU’s global relations are usually based on trade deals, partnerships and multilateral cooperation.

DID YOU KNOW?

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (58)The current candidate countries for EU membership are: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine. Georgia and Kosovo (*) are potential candidate countries.

(*) This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (59)

The six founding countries are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined the European Union on 1 January 1973, raising the number of Member States to nine. Greece joined in 1981, followed by Portugal and Spain in 1986. In 1995, Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the European Union. The biggest enlargement took place in 2004, when 10 countries joined the EU: Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007, and Croatia was the last country to join the EU in 2013.

Nobel Peace Prize

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (60)

The EU was set up to secure lasting peace among its members. Since its establishment, violent internal conflicts and opportunities for war to break out between Europeans have been greatly reduced. In recognition of its work for peace, democracy and human rights in Europe and around the world, the European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. It decided to donate the EUR930000 prize money– plus a further EUR930000 from the EU itself– to children who are denied the chance to grow up in peace.

THE EU THROUGH THE AGES

From a continent at war to a peaceful union, follow the EU’s journey with our EU timeline:

europa.eu/learning-corner/eu-timeline/overview_en

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (61)

EXERCISE 4 WHAT DOES THE EUROPEAN UNION MEAN TO YOU?

As we have seen, the European Union’s origins date back to the early 1950s, when it was founded by people who had experienced the atrocities of one, or even two, world wars. These wars resulted in tens of millions of deaths across the continent. At the time, the ambition to unite countries and people that had so recently been in conflict was visionary.

By the time you and your friends were born, the EU had already enjoyed more than 50years of peace and prosperity, although you may have heard or read stories about difficult experiences in other parts of the world during this time. As young people, what do you think about this long-lasting peace in Europe? Do you take it for granted or do you sometimes worry about the future? Is democracy alone enough to guarantee peace? Discuss this with your classmates.

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (62)

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EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? (2024)

FAQs

EU & ME | WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN UNION? ›

The European Union is a unique partnership between 27 European countries, known as Member States, or EU countries. Together they cover much of the European continent. The EU is home to around 447 million people, which is around 6 % of the world's population. Citizens of the EU countries are also EU citizens.

What is the European Union in simple terms? ›

The European Union is a group of 27 countries in Europe. These countries came together. to make things better, easier and safer for people. They agreed to work together and help each other.

Who are the members of EU me? ›

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

Which European countries are not part of the EU? ›

European Countries (NON-EU)
  • Albania. See Entry Requirements for Albania. ...
  • Azerbaijan. See Entry Requirements for Azerbaijan. ...
  • Georgia. See Entry Requirements for Georgia. ...
  • Liechtenstein. See Entry Requirements for Liechtenstein. ...
  • Montenegro. See Entry Requirements for Montenegro. ...
  • Serbia. See entry requirements for Serbia. ...
  • Turkey.

What is the difference between Europe and European Union? ›

The main difference is that Europe is a continent, that is, a physical space that is made up of the countries that inhabit the region, while the European Union is a geopolitical organization that is made up of some countries of the continent.

Why is Switzerland not in the EU? ›

A Swiss referendum held on 6 December 1992 rejected EEA membership. As a consequence, the Swiss Government suspended negotiations for EU accession until further notice.

What countries have left the EU? ›

The UK is the only sovereign country to have left the EU. The UK had been a member state of the EU or its predecessor, the European Communities (EC), since 1 January 1973. Following Brexit, EU law and the Court of Justice of the European Union no longer have primacy over British laws.

Who created the European Union? ›

Essential for the actual birth of the institutions of the EU was the Schuman Declaration on 9 May 1950 (the day after the fifth Victory in Europe Day) and the decision by six nations (France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, West Germany and Italy) to follow Schuman and draft the Treaty of Paris.

When did the UK leave the EU? ›

Who are the fathers of the EU? ›

They were: Konrad Adenauer, Joseph Bech, Johan Willem Beyen, Winston Churchill, Alcide de Gasperi, Walter Hallstein, Sicco Mansholt, Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, Paul-Henri Spaak, and Altiero Spinelli.

Which states have chosen to leave the EU? ›

Currently, the United Kingdom is the only state to have withdrawn from membership of the European Union.

Is Russia part of the EU? ›

Russia has chosen not to participate in the EU's European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), as it aspires to be an "equal partner" of the EU (as opposed to the "junior partnership" that Russia sees in the ENP). Consequently, Russia and the EU agreed in 2005 to create four Common Spaces for cooperation in different spheres.

Why isn't Norway in the EU? ›

A major issue for Norway is its fishing resources, which are a significant part of the national economy and which would come under the Common Fisheries Policy if Norway were to accede to the EU. Norway has high GNP per capita and would have to pay a high membership fee.

Are the USA in the European Union? ›

The United States, who is not an EU member, has maintained a Mission to the EU since 1961.

What is the currency that most of Europe uses? ›

Currently, the euro (€) is the official currency of 20 out of 27 EU member countries which together constitute the Eurozone, officially called the euro area.

What is major difference between the United Nations and the European Union? ›

The European Union is more of an economic organization of regulate free trade between European nations, and made possible by NATO. The United Nations was formed as a means to prevent future world wars such as WWII, and it implement programs to better nations so as to be more stable.

What is the European Union Short answer? ›

1 The European Union in brief. The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political union between 27 European countries. The EU that we know today has its roots in several treaties signed in the aftermath of the Second World War.

What was the main purpose of the European Union? ›

The aims of the European Union within its borders are: promote peace, its values and the well-being of its citizens. offer freedom, security and justice without internal borders, while also taking appropriate measures at its external borders to regulate asylum and immigration and prevent and combat crime.

How do you explain the European Union to a child? ›

The EU is a political economic union of countries that are located on the European continent. Of the 50 countries in Europe, 27 belong to the European Union (EU). Note that the European Union member countries all are independent and sovereign countries with their own governments, own legislation and own constitutions.

What is European Union in short form? ›

European Union (EU), international organization comprising 27 European countries and governing common economic, social, and security policies.

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