The European Union Explained*

Summary

The European Union (EU) is a complex political and economic entity with varying membership and agreements across Europe. This video explores its official members, such as Germany and France, and outlines key aspects like membership dues, law voting, and citizen rights. It also highlights the fuzziness of EU borders, including countries like Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland, as well as territories with special statuses like the Outermost Regions and Overseas Territories. With its intricate network of agreements, the EU is a web of interconnected policies, borders, and exceptions that continue to evolve.

Takeaways

• 😀 The European Union (EU) consists of 27 official member countries with varying population sizes, from Germany to Malta.
• 😀 EU membership provides citizens with the right to live, work, or retire in any EU country, creating significant mobility options.
• 😀 Non-EU countries like Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein participate in the European Economic Area (EEA), allowing free movement but without voting on EU laws.
• 😀 Switzerland is not part of the EU but is in the Schengen Area, meaning it shares open borders with EU countries without being a full EU member.
• 😀 The United Kingdom and Ireland maintain strict border controls, rejecting full EU integration, which requires passports for entry.
• 😀 The Euro is the common currency of the EU, but not all member countries use it. Countries in the Eurozone must meet specific financial criteria to adopt the Euro.
• 😀 Some countries like Denmark, Sweden, and the UK have permanent opt-outs from the Eurozone, maintaining their local currencies instead.
• 😀 Several non-EU microstates like Andorra, Monaco, and the Vatican use the Euro but are not part of the EU.
• 😀 France, Spain, and Portugal retain overseas territories like islands, which are technically part of the EU, extending its borders worldwide.
• 😀 European Union law doesn't apply to many Overseas Territories or Outermost Regions, though their inhabitants are typically EU citizens, creating a complicated relationship between territories and the EU.

Q & A

What are the main characteristics of the European Union (EU)?

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that have agreed to follow common laws, share economic benefits, and allow citizens to live and work freely within the member states.

How does the European Union membership work in terms of dues, voting, and citizenship?

EU member countries pay membership dues, vote on laws that all member states must follow, and their citizens automatically become EU citizens with the right to live and work in any other EU country.

What is the European Economic Area (EEA) and how does it relate to the EU?

The European Economic Area (EEA) includes EU countries and a few non-EU countries like Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. These countries are not full EU members but must follow many EU laws in exchange for the right to free movement of people. They do not, however, participate in all EU laws, such as those related to farming and fishing.

What is the Schengen Area, and how does it affect travel between countries?

The Schengen Area is an agreement between countries to allow passport-free travel across their borders. Citizens of Schengen countries can move freely between these countries without border checks, creating a seamless travel experience across much of Europe.

Why is Switzerland part of the Schengen Area but not the European Union?

Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area because it agrees to open borders for easy travel, but it is not an EU member because it prefers to remain independent from EU laws. However, Swiss citizens can live and work in the EU, and EU citizens can live in Switzerland.

What countries use the Euro as their currency, and what is the Eurozone?

The Euro is used by 19 of the 27 EU countries, forming the Eurozone. Countries must meet certain financial criteria to join the Eurozone. Some EU countries, like Denmark, Sweden, and the UK, have opted out of using the Euro.

Which non-EU countries use the Euro despite not being part of the EU?

Non-EU countries like Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City use the Euro under special agreements, even though they are not part of the EU.

What are the Outermost Regions of the European Union, and why are they significant?

The Outermost Regions are territories like the Canary Islands, Reunion, and French Guiana that are geographically far from Europe but remain part of the EU. These regions are considered part of EU territory and their citizens have EU rights.

How do Overseas Territories of European countries complicate EU membership?

Overseas Territories, such as those of France, the Netherlands, and Denmark, are not part of the EU but have complex relationships with it. These territories often have their own laws and regulations, and while their citizens may be EU citizens, EU citizens cannot always freely move to these territories.

What is the significance of the 'asterisk' in EU agreements, as mentioned in the video?

The 'asterisk' refers to exceptions or special conditions attached to EU agreements. These exceptions often apply to countries or territories that have opted out of certain EU rules, such as those related to currency or border control, making EU membership more complex and less uniform.