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NAVIGATION
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| After the horrors which
occurred during World War II, many countries wanted to prevent the same
things happening again. Therefore, they thought that it would not be in
the interests of a country to go to war with one that it relied on for
trade. So, on 25th March, 1957, France,
West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg signed a
treaty in Rome establishing the European Economic Community (EEC), also
known as the Common Market. This stated that all 'trade barriers' such
as taxes should be abolished between these countries to encourage them
to trade with each other. |
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In 1973, the EC accepts its earlier applicants, Britain Denmark and Ireland join, regardless of Britain's failure in 1963 due to France's refusal to accept due to 'lack of commtment'. Britain's referendum resulted in two-to-one in favour. The people of Norway rejected joining in the referendum of 1979.
The newly named European Community reached 10 member states in 1981 with the acceptance of Greece.
In 1986, Spain and Portugal enter the EC, and, in the same year, its new flag is unveiled:
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| The Single European Act (SEA) decreased the powers of the individual states and handed them over to the European Parliament, meaning the first commitment by member states. The European Union is created in the 1991 Maastricht Treaty, which lowered the barriers of Europe, and creating 'European citizenship', allowing any member of Europe to live, work and vote in another. It also allowed member states to co-operate on issues such as security and immigration. |
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The European Monetary System (EMS), which was founded in 1979, the purpose of which was to restrict the fluctuations between the european currencies through adjustments raising the values of strong currencies and lowering those of weaker ones. In 1986, this was adapted to keeping the currencies within a narrow range.
In the early 1990s, the different nations' policies, especially the newly re-unified Germany, strained the EMS, and Britain was forced to withdraw.
In 1994, the European Monetary Institute was created, paving the way for the European Central Bank (created in 1998), and eventually a unified currency. Later in 1998, most of the countries significantly lowered their interest rates to a near-uniform level to prepare for the currency. In 2002, the old currencies of Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain were scrapped, and the Euro was born. |
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Unification And Expansion
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In 1995, border controls within the EU were dropped to allow easy and liberated travel within the EU. In 1997, in the Amsterdam Treaty, the EU removes more national vetoes, and tightens European laws on employment and discrimination.
In 1998, negotiations began with Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia for access, and the next year, Romania, Latvia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Malta. These countries join in 2004, makingthe EU 25 member states strong. |
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| Who knows what the future holds for this union of states? I leave this for you to decide, giving the arguments in favour and against, and a poll at the end for you to vote on your verdict, and a guestbook to air your views. |
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Should We Stay In The EU?
Create a
free website at Webs.com
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