Young Wrexham

European Politics

Europe is a prosperous continent and the politics of its countries are wide-ranging. Most countries within Europe are members of the European Union (the EU).

European Union

The European Union is an intergovernmental union of 28 member states. The aim of the union is to create an economic and political alliance between the member states especially regarding trade.

Most EU countries have a shared currency called the Euro, although the UK has not joined it.

Citizens from EU countries do not need work permits to move around and work in different countries.

The following are members of the European Union and includes the year that they joined:

• Austria (1995)
• Belgium (1952)
• Bulgaria (2007)
• Croatia (2013)
• Cyprus (2004)
• Czech Republic (2004)
• Denmark (1973)
• Estonia (2004)
• Finland (1995)
• France (1952)
• Germany (1952)
• Greece (1981)
• Hungary (2004)
• Ireland (1973)
• Italy (1952)
• Latvia (2004)
• Lithuania (2004)
• Luxembourg (1952)
• Malta (2004)
• Netherlands (1952)
• Poland (2004)
• Portugal (1986)
• Romania (2007)
• Slovakia (2004)
• Slovenia (2004)
• Spain (1986)
• Sweden (1995)
• United Kingdom (1973)

On the road to EU membership:

• Iceland
• Montenegro
• Serbia
• The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
• Turkey

Potential candidates:

• Albania
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Kosovo

Those countries which are not in the EU include:

• Norway
• Switzerland
• Macedonia
• Ukraine
• Belarus
• Liechtenstein
• Andorra
• The Vatican City
• San Marino

Non EU-members may choose not to be members of the EU or may not have been accepted due to not meeting the EU's economic standards or on account of their human rights records.

Wales and the European Union

The EU contributes a lot to the economic growth of Wales.

• It works actively to help Wales in regional development aid, reducing unemployment, transport, research funding, environmental issues and supporting small businesses, amongst other things
• Wales benefits from millions of EU pounds to assist economic development and it funds a number of projects and organisations in the country
• EU funding also means the freedom of movement across the 28 member states for Welsh people