In 1992, in Maastricht, the Netherlands, the members of the future eurozone signed the "Treaty of the European Union". This is how the European Union was born. The composition of this unique community today is estimated at 28 states. The EU was created with the aim of interaction in the field of economics and politics. This move was intended to ensure a greater increase in the well-being of citizens and the peaceful resolution of possible conflicts.
It all started with coal and steel
Active integration processes in Europe developed in the fifties of the last century. In 1951, a community of six states appeared (Italy, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany and the Netherlands), which united the three industrial sectors. Before the common currency was still far away. The common market was erected on the powerful foundation of the metallurgical and coal industries. In March 1957, this association, as well as another supranational industry alliance (nuclear energy) became the first components of the EEC. It was an economic community. A decade will pass - and the process will go far beyond industry boundaries. In the summer of 1985, the Schengen Freethe movement of citizens, capital and goods, customs barriers within this community were swept away. The final step in uniting the European powers was the European Union, whose composition at the beginning of the 20th century was replenished by neighbors from the east, a part of the world covered by the desire for unity.
And ten new members
States entered the EU in turn for decades. By 2004, the composition of the EU countries was as follows: Italy, France, M alta, Great Britain, Cyprus, Germany, Poland, Luxembourg, Spain, Hungary, Portugal, Austria, Greece, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium. In 2004, Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia joined these states. In 2007, two more countries - Romania and Bulgaria - joined the European Union. The composition of the community thus expanded considerably in a short time. This was due to the collapse of the USSR. Croatia joined the Eurozone in 2013.
EU: the composition is tested for strength
Today, a number of countries (eg Turkey) are candidates for EU membership. Despite the fact that in some countries there are quite a few opponents of the eurozone, not a single member of it has left the European Union. The composition of 2013 is not its final design. In a number of Eastern European countries, they are thinking about joining the eurozone: not now, but in the distant future. To become a member of the EU, one must meet strict requirements regarding human rights, democracy and keep the bar of economic achievement high. EU accession must be preceded by several years of association withhim.
New members can bring new problems.
The dissatisfaction of the opponents of the European Union, as a rule, is connected with the conditions of financial markets, "debt slavery". Those who are concerned about the possible destruction of national identity are also giving voice. The further construction of Europe will depend on whether the European government can take into account the interests of each sovereign nation.
