1. European Union

2. What is the Purpose of the European Union (EU) Today? To promote peace, political stability and defense in Europe, but also economic strength (free trade), and a clean environment for all of Europe. The European Union is a confederation. 27 independent European countries. These countries work together in the European Union (EU), for the benefit of themselves and all European countries.

4. What is the European Union Requirements? It is NOT a country nor is it intended to replace existing countries. Any European country can join, provided it has a stable democracy that guarantees the rule of law, protection of human rights, and a functioning market economy. All countries must meet certain environmental standards before they can be admitted into the European Union.

5. The European Union includes: United Kingdom Austria France Germany Belgium Greece Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Spain Sweden Portugal and many more….

6. Economic Benefits of the European Union (EU) To encourage trade, countries of the European Union have also done away with tariffs and quotas on the goods they trade with one another. Lifted border controls Another goal of the EU is to achieve economic equality among its members. To reach this goal, EU members are sharing their wealth. Poorer countries such as Ireland receive money to help them build businesses. This is helping to raise the standard of living.

7. The Euro

8. The euro is probably the European Union’s most tangible achievement. It is the single currency, shared by most (but not all) of the European Union countries. All euro notes and coins can be used in all countries where the euro is accepted. Each note is the same, while the coins have a common design on one side and a national emblem of one member state on the other side.

9. The Euro Traditionally, each European nation had its own currency. The EU has made international trade much simpler. With most Europeans using the euro, the currency of the European Union, currency no longer has to be exchanged every time a payment crosses a border or every time a person crosses a border into a different country. All EU countries DO NOT use the euro. Great Britain continues to use the British pound.

10. European Union and the Environment People in Europe are environmentally conscious. As a result, the EU is spearheading world efforts to preserve the environment. The EU member states have taken joint action in many areas to protect the environment.

11. European Union and the Environment Many Eastern European countries which were part of the former Soviet Union’s Warsaw Pact during the Cold War have significant environmental problems. The member countries of the EU are helping the countries of Eastern Europe to raise their environmental standards.