 At first there were 6 members  Today there are 27 members of the EU  Created in  Requirements:  Democratic  Free market government Flag of the European Union Flags of EU countries The European Union is an organization that was created to achieve closer economic and political union between countries in Europe. Some people think that the EU is necessary and others don’t.

1952- Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom Greece Portugal, Spain Austria, Finland, Sweden Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia Bulgaria, Romania Candidate Countries Croatia The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Turkey Iceland Potential candidate Countries Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Kosovo under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 Montenegro Serbia

The European Union is important and necessary in order to: o Promote economic progress o Keep peace in Europe o Protect the safety of the citizens living is these countries

 Allows smaller countries to compete economically › Work together against larger countries  Increase trade › gives money for transportation infrastructure  Euro

 Still tension after war  Eliminate thoughts of war  Shared interests -Rule of law -Equality

 Work together to fight against crime and terrorism  Promote an area of “freedom, security and justice” - Equality and justice protected by the law EU works together with the Europol -immigration, drugs, terrorism, and money forgery

Union’s Economic Expenses Population in 2009 in Millions

 1. How many members of the European Union are there today?  2. What is one way that the EU promotes economic progress?  3. In what year was the EU created?