How many countries are in the EU? Foundation and history of organization. UK and EU
How many countries are in the EU? When was this alliance founded and for what purpose? Why does Britain intend to withdraw from this organization? The answers to all these questions can be found in our article!
Origin and brief history of the union
The European Union (EU) is a union not onlypolitical, but also economic. About 500 million people live in its borders. But economically, the EU is 23% of world GDP. Thus, the union is one of the main players in the planetary market.
The tendencies to unification were repeatedly observedand manifested itself in Europe. These ideas became especially topical after the end of World War II, when international structures such as NATO or the Council of Europe were formed.
The starting point in the formation of the EuropeanThe Union can be considered 1951. Then six independent states formed an organization - the European Coal and Steel Community. These were the first EU member states (Belgium, Germany (without GDR), Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy and France). True, the goals of this integration were purely economic. Later, these same states established another organization - the European Economic Community (abbreviated - EEC).
Gradually this community was transformed into aUnion of European States, which is known throughout the world under the acronym EU. Legally it was established in 1992, after the signing by the participating countries of the corresponding Maastricht Treaty.
How many countries are in the EU today?
In the process of expanding the borders of the European Unionthere are eight waves. In 1973, Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom joined the six founding members of the European coal and steel association, in 1981 - Greece, in 1986 - two countries of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). In 1995, an elite "European family" included Austria, as well as Scandinavian countries: Sweden and Finland.
However, the most significant wave of EU enlargementoccurred in May 2004. At that time ten independent countries (Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta, as well as three Baltic states) joined the Union at once. In 2007, the EU borders widened towards the Balkans (Romania and Bulgaria became members of the organization, and in 2013 also Croatia).
How many countries in the EU are there today?day? A total of 28 states are members of the association (on the map below they are marked in blue). It should be noted that not all of them are part of the so-called euro zone.
The EU plans to expand further in the eastern andsouth-east direction. Therefore, it is impossible to say exactly how many countries in the EU will be in a few years - not. At this point in time, the next real candidate for joining the EU experts are Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Economy and population of the EU
508 million people live in theEuropean Union (data for 2015). It should be noted that the natural population growth in the EU member states is low. The actual number of residents of the association is growing due to an active influx of migrants (both legal and illegal).
The Union's GDP is colossal-almost $ 15 trillion! The EU is the world's largest exporter and importer of various goods.
In January 2002, a single currency, the euro, was adopted for the EU member states. Today it is used by only 17 countries of the Union (out of 28).
The UK is a member of the EU. How long?
Britain has been a member of the EU since 1973. However, recently David Cameron (prime minister of the kingdom) announced the possibility of the country's withdrawal from the union. The referendum on this issue can be held as early as 2017.
Such statement of Cameron should be considered andas one of the pre-election promises of the Conservative Party headed by him. In addition, such statements, according to experts, will help Britain "bargain" for themselves some preferences from the EU leadership.
According to the results of the last survey conducted on this issue, only 36% of Britons want their country to leave the EU.
