What are the MAIN GOALS of the European Union?
- Single market
- Having a common currency
- Promoting sustainability
- Increase European defense cooperation
Since when the Single market?
January 1, 1993
What is a single market
A market where goods, services, capital, and people can move freely between member states.
Do you need a common currency to have a Single Market?
No, a single market can exist without a common currency.
But the common currency makes trade easier, reduces transaction costs and currency conversion costs
How many EU countries use the euro?
21 EU member states use the euro as their currency.
How do you call the area where countries use the Euro?
The Eurozone
Why does Europe depend on NATO for defense?
NATO is strongly led by the US (who has the biggest military power within NATO) and it provides collective defense
How many armies exist in NATO?
32 national armies that can work together
What is the EU currently trying to build in defense?
EU countries cooperate to produce and buy military equipment together, so they rely less on the US for defense.
Is the EU a homogeneous entity in terms of GDP per capita, population, and territory?
No. The EU is not homogeneous.
there are a lot of differences between countries when it comes to
- GDP
- Population
- Size
Where are the richest EU countries mostly located?
and what about the size of these countries
Mostly in North-Western Europe.
These countries are not necessarily the largest in population or territory.
Which six EU countries have the largest populations?
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- the Netherlands
- Spain
- Poland
name the E6
- germany
- france
- italy
- Poland
- netherlands
- spain
Why do the E6 countries sometimes meet together?
Since they represent a large part of the EU population they meet up to talk about better coordination and more unity
How many EU countries are considered small or medium-sized?
About 21 EU countries are small or medium-sized compared to the largest members.
Which is the smallest EU country?
Malta
What is negative integration?
Removing barriers between countries (for example tariffs or quotas).
What is positive integration?
Creating common EU rules or policies that regulate the market.
Why is it important that the EU is not a homogeneous entity?
it creates different national interests.
Why do not all EU countries use the euro?
- do not meet the criteria
- keep their national currency for economic or political reasons
What is the main challenge of European integration?
BALANCING COOPERATION while respecting NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY
What is the Blue Banana?
The Blue Banana is the
- most ECONOMY DEVELOPED
- most INDUSTRIALIZED
part in Europe, stretching from Southern England through Benelux and Germany to Northern Italy.
How did the Blue Banana relate to the first EU founding countries?
Much of the Blue Banana overlapped with the original six founding members, which were already economically strong.
What is the Golden Banana?
An economic growth corridor in Southern Europe, particularly Northern Italy, Southern France, and Spain.
