Who belongs to the
European Union?
What is the EU?
• The European Union is a group of countries whose
governments work together.
• It's a bit like a club. To join you have to agree to follow
the rules and in return you get certain benefits.
• Each country has to pay money to be a member. They
mostly do this through taxes.
• The EU uses the money to change the way people live
and do business in Europe.
• Countries join because they think that they will benefit
from the changes the EU makes.
Five top aims of the EU
These are the five big things the EU has set out to do.
1. Promote economic and social progress.
Help people earn enough money and get treated fairly.
2. Speak for the European Union on the international
scene.
By working as a group the EU hopes that Europe will be
listened to more by other countries.
3. Introduce European citizenship.
Anyone from a member state is a citizen of the EU and
gets four special rights.
4. Develop Europe as an area of freedom, security and
justice.
Help Europeans to live in safety, without the threat of
war.
5. Maintain and build on established EU law.
Make laws that protect peoples rights in the member
countries.
Netherlands
Belgium
Germany
Luxembourg
France
Founders
of the EEC
in 1957
Italy
Denmark
UK
Republic of
Ireland
3 new
members
joined in 1973
to bring
membership
up to 9
Greece
joined in
1981
followed
by Spain
and
Portugal
in 1986
Spain
Greece
Portugal
Sweden
Finland
Austria
The last
countries
to join
were in
1995
New members of the EU from May 1st
Estonia
Poland
Latvia
Czech
Republic
Lithuania
Slovakia
Hungary
Slovenia
Malta
Cyprus
The future EU?
Who might be
the next to join?
Who are not
likely to join in
the future?
Why is this, do
you think?
Why do countries want to join the EU?
They can trade freely with other member countries
More trade will lead to greater economic prosperity
Conforming to EU laws means an improvement in working
and living conditions
More co-operation with other members over important
issues such as terrorism, migration, drugs and pollution
A more peaceful and co-operative Europe
Travel between member states is easier
Why are people opposed to the new
countries joining?
The new countries are a lot poorer than the current 15
members and this may drain money from the wealthier
countries to bring them up to EU standard
In fact, the new members have had to prove that their
economy is strong enough to join the EU
There is a fear that migrants from these countries will enter
the UK and other members to claim benefits
This may happen but the majority of people will come to
work legitimately
Why are people in the UK
against being in the EU?
They feel that the EU is not as democratic as the UK as
some important figures are not elected.
The UK may lose some of its powers as the EU will apply
laws to all member countries.
People think we should be closer to the USA rather than
Europe.
UK companies may become less competitive due to EU
working conditions and people may lose jobs.
People believe that the British national identity will be lost.
Some people believe that it is only a matter of time before
we change currencies to the Euro (€).
What are the benefits to the
UK of being in the EU?
The EU ensures that British companies can compete fairly
with other member states.
Consumer rights are protected with safety standards for
items such as toys.
The EU provides financial help to areas which are deprived
and supports businesses.
Being in the EU makes it easy to travel and work across
member states without needing permits and visas.
As part of the EU, the UK has a larger voice in world affairs
and can call on member states for support.