Why not design future around 7 billion wonderful livelihoods

feb 2022, wash dc-sadly idea of every 3 year old up merits a next door playschool seems to be taking inside beltway lawyers longer than landing on the moon - so women4empowerment have moved collab networks for 3 years up to Abedplay.com.. The debate on whether DC wants every American to be valued by Artificial Intel and hi-trust media ERevolution last chance at the metaverse continues below. May we also suggest EconomistDiary.com if you wish to tap into 4 hemisphere discussions of what the blip is happening to your young graduates era of 100 times more machine maths every decade (since 1951) when an economist sub-editor was briefed by Von Neumann on the biggest journalism scoop of all time and any sustainability generation
After the first year of Biden we can see that in spite of enough technology to save the human race, corralled by insanely lonely men like Mr Putin we are racing faster than ever towards extinction half way through the 15 year period that all nations had committed to the sustainability goals (ecop26 EUN). Why is this? - its a problem of media- which in turn is a wicked Keynesian problem of Governance, Societal and Environmental Markets (known the other way round by worlds biggest decision makers as ESG -see NYccAI.com for 15 annual spring briefings).
CRIMSON LIFESTYLES: Although Harvard has taken as late as 26 April 2022 to admit their debt to black americans is way north of 100 million dollars (imagine if they had admitted this before Biller Gates designed DOS). other far north friends and I can trace through my family ( diaspora scots, irish...) why the root cause of this [problem is that white institutions have not cared locally enough about the simplest human right : that of the next girl or boy born anywhere to have a fair chance of life.

My family has a lot of evidence on this ; in our case it can be classified around tHEse time periods: 2022 to 2000; TO 1984 TO 1976 TO 1962 TO 1945 TO 1936 TO 1758 - each of which we observed  FROM SOME QUITE DEEP GLOBAL VILLAGE DATUM

1962 back to 1951 back to 1945; 1951 was for my family the occasion of the greatest jopurnalist scoop ever; von neumann briefed my father on asking leaderes about what would they do with 100 times more tech every decade to 2020s (som,e now call this industrial revolution 3, 4; in silicon valley from 1965 they have also called its moore's law; my father's small role in future histoiry : he asked economist jouramlsits to appply this question for the next third of the century; this too the economist from 1951 3rd ranked weekly journal to one of a kindf gloabal viewspaper; The Economist had a weird history it was born in 1843 as a royal society chat sheet that got turned into queen visctora's attermpt to chnage english constitution from presiding over slave making empire to commonwealth); this has been the crisis embedded in tyhe english mindset since the beginning of engines scotalnds 1760s (some would say since the beginning of discovery on new worlds started in 1490s when the race started to own the most agressive navy)

2022 back to 2000 -business & social models of mobile digital age spun hatred and short-termsim opposite to sdgs; raised bodres between nations during the period all human communities needed to go borderless on human right goal 2000 back to 1984 (we lost the chnace to value the web as the an open learning network to shortt term commerce and nastier media)m/TD> 1984 back to 1976 ( by now my father was launching the new socio-economic genere of entrepreneuriual revolution with 15 yeras of evidence of cases on asia rising through a blend of supervillaige and supervity whose trades needed over time to be winw-in not zero sum; in fact if voin eneuman used the vocabularu IR3 - he would definme that as eera of applying 100 times more etch to way above zero sum games- THE OPPOSITE TO LEGISLATIRS UP TO 1945)1976 back to 1962 (we lost what presidents up to and particularly keennedy understood of the overarching challenge of uni8ted nations; at the same time the birth of the eu core purpose got lost by 1962) 1945 back to 1935: this corresponds to the uniques development period of my father from teenb home schooled in british embassies in moscow and horler's europ to spending his last days as teen allied boimber command burma to surviving woeld wars 2 being mentored by keynes, the economist's geoggery crwother and von neumann; in 1949 dad amrried the daughter of sir kenneth kemp who had written up teh legalese of india's independence;  1935 back to adam smith 1758  this explains why my my family tree was intersection of 4 generation osf scots in inda who had been nurses, pharmacists and social lawyers; and 4 generations of scots who had been missionaries, transnational dimplomats and whatever you call my father and myself ( i would say I am a (future histiry) of mathematician but with at best one hyndredth of the mind of the greatest maths nmetwo9rk that ever lived neumann , einstein et al. i desperately need help from every gps on the plant in recording why particularly whites have not yet designed goverance systems to value right of every next child born - but I belive its valid to ask:

what exactly was the conflict in 1945 between the 8 biggest empires - g8 twhite and japan; in addition what other conflicts were the g8 surrounded by all white developed nations- in essence engines from 1760 were applied by white men to rule over world trade; in effect less than 15% of the human race had designed almost all the world's wealth for themselves or the nations they lived in ; this was the root cause of world war 2 which the united nations needed to mediate over at most 4 generations - from those returning frow war through to today's younger half of teh wrold who will inherit systems which expoenetially lock them into extcinction unless the 2020s turmns thi round

OUR HOPES & PRAYERS GO WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN AND QUEEN ELIZABETH BEING THE 2 MOST CURIOUS HUMANS EMPIRES HAVE EVER CREATED

diversity gamechangers in washington dc admin are rare- can raimondo be one? biden ai panel boldly goes where dc never has since v neumann

Monday, December 31, 2012

2012 updating curricula of eu since 1955

my dad was only journalist at birth of eu messina 1955 one curious curriculum - by 1976 my father at the economis had fully developed his curricul of entrepreneurial revolution - sustainability of hi-tech millenials would depend on open edutech sme networks not big corp and big gov rural keynianism integrating eg borlaug and the gran falies agriculture and health contribtions across two out of 3 people who live on continent of asia and whom britian and north europe colonists had trapped in povery engineering world trade infrasructure the wy deming had taught the jsapanese koreans, and islands all dow the far east coadst benefited from eg taiwan hk singapore a youn romani prodi translated this economis survey into italian later became eu president, never had chance to remap sustainability of med sea or belt road nations as his presidency occurred wgen west gerrmany and east germany needed to be europes main devlopmemnt project- today germany is the complete outlier- the euro sponsors tjis suoerb engineering country to the loss of every other eu nation with exception of some small ones lik luxembour and maybe austria which bank at the borders in other words the eu has become a bureucratic giant and the cause of making the american end of the g8 ever more selfish- only japan is left with a rread sdg-youth agenda every time the g7 meets our diaries on the eu show key events -common agri policy marked end of the original concept of eu of peace across nations- in particular it disadvantaged med sea nations - africa and anywhere east of italy

the euro as a currency was a fatal mistake if equality of livesmatter was integral/compound goal of europe



policies such as pedip aiming to integrate a non-central country like portugal were amingst thegreatest waste of gov aid ever researched

for 3 years i volunteered as emotional intel special interest group editor on eu-wwide knowledge board- any entreprenurial connection between citizens were stampe on by brussels- wortst of all intangbibles research of compund trust was suspended arbitraily late 2003 or early 2004- at a brussels luncheon hosted by head of prism research- politicians see this subject of interest to voters and wont return to it until 3 euro enron collapses happen in same year- when 50 collapses happened subprime 2008 polirticians did not come back to it

at social business and microcredit summits hosted in brussels the wrong end of every stick weas presented compared with how girls empowermnr and livelihood education had originally worked in bangladesh aroung sir fazle abed and even the early version of womens world banking in indonesia that became the doctorate of obama's mother referred to here in this hackeconomics interview with jim kim

in ever way imsginable the economists hired by experts at the eu have nothing to do with the livesmatter school of economists started by adam smith 1760-

what poor scotland - 5 million people and many more diaspora scots are supposed to do in era of brexit covid cop26 - heaven only knows - if you have any advice i am chris.macrrae@yahoo.co.uk

What is the European Union?

The European Union Flag
The EU Official Flag
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union, consisting of 27 member states that are subject to the obligations and the privileges of the membership.
Every member state is part of the founding treaties of the union and is subjected to binding laws within the common legislative and judicial institutions. In order for the EU to adopt policies that concern defence and foreign affairs, all member states must agree unanimously.
The European Union was founded on November 1, 1993 in Maastricht, Netherlands.
Before 1993, the EU was not as big as it is today. European countries started to cooperate economically since 1951, when only states such as Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Germany, The Netherlands and Italy participated. Gradually, more countries decided to join. The last to join is Croatia – in 2013.

Which countries belong to the EU?

The 27 European countries that are part of the EU:
  • Map of EU Countries
    Map of European Union Countries
    Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania 
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden

Austria

AustriaAustria is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1995 with its geographic size of 83,879 km², and population number 8,576,234, as per 2015. Austrians comprise 1.7% of the total EU population. Its capital is Vienna and the official language in Austria is German. Austria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €337.162 billion, as per 2015. The political system is a Federal Parliamentary Republic and its currency is the Euro (€), since Austria became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999.
Austria holds 18 seats in the European Parliament, while it held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU twice, once in 1998 and in 2006. Austria is also a member of the Schengen Area since December 1, 2007.

Belgium

BelgiumBelgium is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its geographic size of 30,528 km², and population number 11,258,434, as per 2015. Belgians comprise 2.2% of the total EU population. Its capital is Brussels and the official languages in Belgium are Dutch, French, and German. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €409,407 billion, as per 2015. Its currency is € (Euro), from Belgium became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system in Belgium is a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
Belgium holds 21 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 12 times between 1958 and 2010. Belgium is also a member state of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Bulgaria

BulgariaBulgaria is a member country of the EU since January 1, 2007 with its geographic size of 110,370 km², and population number 7,202,198, as per 2015. Bulgarians comprise 1.4% of the total EU population. Its capital city is Sofia, and the official language in Bulgaria is Bulgarian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €44,162 billion, as per 2015. Its currency is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). The political system in Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic.
Bulgaria holds 17 seats in the European Parliament and will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in 2018. Bulgaria is not a member country of the Schengen Area.

Croatia

CroatiaCroatia is a member country of the EU since July 1, 2013 with its geographic size of 56,594 km², and population number 4,225,316, as per 2015. Croatians comprise 0.8% of the total EU population. Its capital is Zagreb and the official language in Croatia is Croatian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €43,897 billion, as per 2015. Croatia’s currency is Croatian Kuna HRK. The political system is a parliamentary republic.
Croatia holds 11 seats in the European Parliament and will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in the first half of 2020. Croatia is not a member country of the Schengen Area.

Cyprus

CyprusCyprus is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 9,251 km², and population number 847,008, as per 2015. Cypriots comprise 0.2% of the total EU population. Its capital is Nicosia and the official language in Cyprus is Greek. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €17,421 billion, as per 2015. Cyprus’ currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2008.  The political system is a presidential republic.

Cyprus holds 6 seats in the European Parliament and has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2012. Cyprus is not a member country of the Schengen Area.

The Czech Republic

The Czech RepublicThe Czech Republic is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 78,868 km², and population number 10,538,275, as per 2015. Czechs comprise 2.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Prague and the official language is Czech. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €163,947 billion, as per 2015. The Czech Republic’s currency is the Czech Koruna (CZK). The political system is a parliamentary republic.
The Czech Republic holds 21 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2009. The Czech Republic is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

Denmark

DenmarkDenmark is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1973 with its geographic size of 42,924 km², and population number 5,659,715, as per 2015. The Danish comprise 1.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Copenhagen and the official language in Denmark is Danish. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €266.244 billion, as per 2015. Its currency is the Danish Krone (DKK). The political system is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
Denmark holds 13 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 7 times between 1973 and 2012. Denmark is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 25, 2001.

Estonia

EstoniaEstonia is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 45,227 km², and population number 1,313,271, as per 2015. The Estonians comprise 0.3% of the total EU population. Its capital is Tallinn and the official language is Estonian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €20.461 billion, as per 2015. Estonia’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2011. The political system is a parliamentary republic.
Estonia holds 6 seats in the European Parliament and will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in the first half of 2017. Estonia is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

Finland

FinlandFinland is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1995 with its geographic size of 338,440 km², and population number 5,471,753, as per 2015. The Finnish comprise 1.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Helsinki and the official languages in Finland are Finnish and Swedish. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €207.220 billion, as per 2015. Finland’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is a parliamentary republic.
Finland holds 13 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU twice, in 1999 and 2006. Finland is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 25, 2001.

France

FranceFrance is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its geographic size of 633,187 km², and population number 66,415,161, as per 2015. The French comprise 13.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Paris and the official language is French. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €2.184trillion, as per 2015. France’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is a semi-presidential republic.
France holds 74 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 13 times between 1959 and 2008. France is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Germany

GermanyGermany is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its geographic size of 357,376 km², and population number 81,197,537, as per 2015. The Germans comprise 16% of the total EU population. Its capital is Berlin and the official language is German. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €3.026 trillion, as per 2015. Germany’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is a federal parliamentary republic.
Germany holds 96 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 11 times between 1958 and 2007. Germany is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Greece

GreeceGreece is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1981 with its geographic size of 131,957 km², and population number 10,858,018, as per 2015. Greeks comprise 2.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Athens and the official language is Greek. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €176.023 billion, as per 2015. Greece’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the eurozone on January 1, 2001. The political system is a parliamentary republic.
Greece holds 21 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 5 times between 1983 and 2014. Greece is a member country of the Schengen Area since January 1, 2000.

Hungary

HungaryHungary is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 93,011 km², and population number 9,855,571, as per 2015. Hungarians comprise 1.9% of the total EU population. Its capital is Budapest and the official language is Hungarian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €108.748 billion, as per 2015. Hungary’s currency is Hungarian Forint (HUG). The political system is a parliamentary republic.
Hungary holds 21 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2011. Hungary is a member country of the Schengen Area since December21, 2007.

Ireland

IrelandIreland is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1973 with its geographic size of 69,797 km², and population number 4,628,949, as per 2015. The Irish comprise 0.9% of the total EU population. Its capital is Dublin and the official languages in Ireland are Irish and English. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €214.623 billion, as per 2015. Ireland’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is a parliamentary republic.
Ireland holds 11 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 7 times between 1975 and 2013. Ireland is not a member country of the Schengen Area.

Italy

ItalyItaly is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its geographic size of 302,073 km², and population number 60,795,612, as per 2015. The Italians comprise 12% of the total EU population. Its capital is Rome and the official language in Italy is Italian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €1.636 trillion, as per 2015. Italy’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is a parliamentary republic.
Italy holds 73 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 12 times between 1959 and 2014. Italy is a member country of the Schengen Area since October 26, 1997.

Latvia

LatviaLatvia is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 64,573 km², and population number 1,986,096, as per 2015. Latvians comprise 0.4% of the total EU population. Its capital is Riga and the official language is Latvian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €24.378 billion, as per 2015. Latvia’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2014. The political system is a parliamentary republic.
Latvia holds 8 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in 2015. Latvia is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

Lithuania

LithuaniaLithuania is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 65,286 km², and population number 2,921,262, as per 2015. Lithuanians comprise 0.6% of the total EU population. Its capital is Vilnius and the official language is Lithuanian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €37.124 billion, as per 2015. Lithuania’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2014. The political system is a parliamentary republic.
Lithuania holds 11 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2013. Lithuania is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

Luxembourg

LuxembourgLuxembourg is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its geographic size of 2,586 km², and population number 562,958, as per 2015. Luxembourgers comprise 0.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Luxembourg and the official languages in Luxembourg are French and German. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €52.112 billion, as per 2015. Luxembourg’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
Luxembourg holds 6 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 12 times between 1960 and 2015. Luxembourg is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Malta

MaltaMalta is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 315 km², and population number 429,334, as per 2015. The Maltese comprise 0.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Valletta and the official language is Maltese. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €8.796 billion, as per 2015. Malta’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2008. The political system is a parliamentary republic.
Malta holds 6 seats in the European Parliament and will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in 2017. Malta is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

The Netherlands

The NetherlandsThe Netherlands is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its geographic size of 41,542 km², and population number 16,900,726, as per 2015. The Dutch comprise 3.3% of the total EU population. Its capital is Amsterdam and the official language is Dutch. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €678,572 billion, as per 2015. Netherlands’ currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
The Netherlands holds 26 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 12 times between 1960 and 2016. The Netherlands is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Poland

PolandPoland is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 612,679 km², and population number 38,005,614, as per 2015. The Polish comprise 7.5% of the total EU population. Its capital is Warsaw and the official language is Polish.  The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €427.737 billion, as per 2015. Poland’s currency is the Polish Zloty (PLN). The political system is a parliamentary republic.
Poland holds 51 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2011. Poland is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

Portugal

PortugalPortugal is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1986 with its geographic size of 92,226 km², and population number 10,374,822, as per 2015. The Portuguese comprise 2% of the total EU population. Its capital is Lisbon and the official language is Portuguese. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €179.379 billion, as per 2015. Portugal’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political system is a semi-presidential republic.
Portugal holds 21 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 3 times between 1992 and 2007. Portugal is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Romania

RomaniaRomania is a member country of the EU since January 1, 2007 with its geographic size of 238,391 km², and population number 19,870,647, as per 2015.The Romanians comprise 3.9% of the total EU population. Its capital is Bucharest and the official language is Romanian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €160.353 billion, as per 2015. Romania’s currency is Romanian Leu (RON). The political system is  a semi-presidential republic.
Romania holds 32 seats in the European Parliament and will hold the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time in 2019. Romania is not a member country of the Schengen Area.

Slovakia

SlovakiaSlovakia is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 49,035 km², and population number 5,421,349, as per 2015. Slovaks comprise 2.2% of the total EU population. Its capital is Bratislava and the official language is Slovak. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €78.071 billion, as per 2015. Slovakia’s currency is € (Euro) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2009. The political system in Slovakia is a parliamentary republic.
Slovakia holds 13 seats in the European Parliament and is currently holding the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU for the first time. Slovakia is also a member state of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Slovenia

SloveniaSlovenia is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its geographic size of 20,273 km², and population number 2,062,874, as per 2015. The Slovenians comprise 0.4% of the total EU population. Its capital is Ljubljana and the official language is Slovenian. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €38.543 billion, as per 2015. Slovenia’s currency is Euro (€) since it became a member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2007. The political system is a parliamentary republic.
Slovenia holds 8 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU once in 2008. Slovenia is a member country of the Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.

Spain

SpainSpain is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1986. Its geographical size is 505,944 km², while the population number in 2015 was 46,449,565. The Spanish comprise 9.1% of the total EU population. Its capital is Madrid. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €1.081trillion. The official language in Spain is Spanish. The political system is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy. Spain holds 54 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 4 times between 1989 and 2010. Spain’s currency is Euro (€) and became a member of the Eurozone since January 1, 1999. Spain is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Sweden

SwedenSweden is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1995 with its geographic size of 438,574 km², and population number 9,747,355, as per 2015. The Swedes comprise 1.9% of the total EU population. Its capital is Stockholm and the official language is Swedish. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €444.235 billion, as per 2015. Sweden’s currency is the Swedish Krona (SEK). The political system is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
Sweden holds 20 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU twice, in 2001 and 2009. Sweden is a member country of the Schengen Area since March 25, 2001.
Candidate countries on the road to EU membership:
  • Albania
  • Montenegro
  • North Macedonia
  • Serbia
  • Turkey
Potential candidates to become EU member states:
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Kosovo

Brief History of the European Union

Enlargement of the European Union
The continental territories of the member states of the European Union (European Communities pre-1993), animated in order of accession. (Wikipedia)
The European Union’s aim back in the days was to end the frequent bloody wars between neighbour states that have culminated in the Second World War.
In 1950, the European Coal and Steel Community began the uniting of European countries economically and politically to gain a lasting peace. In 1957, the Treaty of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) or the ‘Common Market’.
This brought a good period for the economy, as the EU countries stopped charging customs duties when trading with each other.
In 1973, Denmark, Ireland, and the United Kingdom formally decided to join the European Union, becoming nine member states altogether.
Later, in 1986 the Single European Act was signed, which also created the ‘Single Market’.
In 1993, the ‘Single Market’ is completed with the four freedoms:
  • Movement of goods
  • Movement of services
  • Movement of people
  • Movement of money
The 1990s are also a decade of treaties: the ‘Maastricht’ Treaty on the European Union in 1993 and the treaty of Amsterdam in 1999.
In 1995, the EU gets further enlarged with three more members joining: Austria, Finland, and Sweden.
During the 1990s, a small village in Luxembourg gives its name to the ‘Schengen’ agreements that would gradually allow people to travel without having their passports checked at the borders within the area.
In the 2000s, the euro becomes the new currency for many Europeans, and during the following decade, more countries adopt the euro (€).
The political divisions, during the 2000s, between the east and west Europe finally heal and 10 more new countries join the EU in 2004, followed by Bulgaria and Romania joining in 2007.
In 2008, a financial crisis hits the global economy. Therefore, the Treaty of Lisbon enters into force in 2009, providing the EU with modern institutions and more efficient working methods.
In 2013, Croatia becomes the 28th member to enter the EU.
In June 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum, letting the people decide whether they want to leave or remain in the European Union, after a few years of political debate on the topic. The referendum, in which 17.4 million Britons participated, resulted in 52% opting to leave while 48% to remain.
On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom officially left the European Union, starting the 11-month transition period.
Presently the increase of religious extremism in the Middle East, as well as in various other countries and regions around the world, lead to wars and turmoil, which resulted in many people fleeing their home countries and seeking refuge in Europe. The EU now finds itself as the target of several terrorist attacks, while being faced with the dilemma of how to take care of the refugees.

Which European countries are not part of the EU?

Currently, 23 countries located in the continent of Europe, are not part of the European Union.
However, five of them are in the process of integrating the EU legislation into national law, while two others are potential candidates, which have yet not fulfilled all the requirements for EU membership.
The European countries that are not members of the EU:
  • Albania*
  • Andorra
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Belarus
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina**
  • Georgia
  • Iceland
  • Kosovo**
  • Liechtenstein
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Montenegro*
  • North Macedonia*
  • Norway
  • Russia
  • San Marino
  • Serbia*
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey*
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom (left EU on January 31, 2020)
  • Vatican City
* Countries that are in the process of integrating the EU legislation into national law.** Potential candidate countries that do not yet fulfil the requirements for EU membership.

Frequently Asked Questions about EU

How many countries are in the EU?

The European Union (EU) consists of 27 member states.

How many citizens does the European Union have?

As of 1 January 2017, the population of the EU is about 511.6 million people.

Is Ukraine in the EU?

No. Ukraine is not a member of the EU.

Is Hungary in the EU?

Yes. Hungary is a member country of the EU since May 1, 2004.

What is the difference between Schengen countries and EU countries

EU countries and Schengen countries are both European countries.
EU countries are those European countries which are a part of the European Union and have signed the treaties of the European Union. EU countries have to maintain their own national military and foreign policies, but are bound to judicial and legislative institutions of the EU.
Schengen countries are those European countries which have signed the Schengen Agreement. These countries operate as a single state with no border controls required when traveling within the countries, but have the same international border control rules.

What is The European Economic Area (EEA)?

The EEA includes all EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

What is EFTA?

EFTA stands for the European Free Trade Association. It is a regional trade organization and free trade area consisting of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. None of these countries are part of the European Union, but aside of Switzerland, others are all part of the European Economic Area.
Its free trade agreements foresee the elimination of import duties on industrial goods and fish. In addition, the EFTA States have added substantive rules and commitments on services, investment and/or public procurement to the agreements as a response on globalization.
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