Note: The Euro is a distinct concept to the European Union. The Euro is a Single Currency adopted by 16 of the EU members.
Some of the Benefits of the European Union include:
- Peace amongst nations - European Union countries are no longer at loggerheads like they were in the past. With the exception of Yugoslavia (who wasn't in the EU at the time), Europe has managed to heal the divisions which were so painfully exposed in the two World Wars in the Twentieth Century
- Economic development of countries like Portugal, Ireland and Spain, and after fall of Berlin Wall, Eastern European economies.
- Free trade and removal of non-tariff barriers have helped reduce costs and prices for consumers. Over 60% of UK exports is to the EU. Trade within the EU has increased 30% since 1992.
- Environmental treaties which have sought to deal with European wide environmental problems such as acid rain, global warming, e.g. Commitment to use 20% renewable energy.
- Free Movement of labour and capital has helped create a more flexible economy. For example, UK and Ireland have benefited from immigration of Eastern European workers
- Prospect of membership has helped modernise Turkey. Copenhagen Criteria enshrine commitment to human rights, rule of law and market economy.
- EU is one of strongest economic areas. It accounts for 20% of world GDP, from 6% of world's population.
- EU has enabled people to travel freely across national boundaries making trade and tourism easier and cheaper.
- Easier to use qualifications in different member countries. This makes it easier to work abroad without having to retrain in national qualifications.
- Mutual recognition of safety standards and rules have helped reduce costs for firms. This has encouraged the development of small and medium business who rely on low cost of exports.
- Social Charter enshrines protection for workers such as maximum working week, right to collective bargaining and fair pay for employment. (UK opted out).
Related
- 50 Benefits of the European Union at Independent
- European Union
- Benefits of Joining Euro
- Problems of Euro
3 comments:
The Independent list of benefits of EU is a joke and cannot be taken seriously. The so-called benefits are out of date e.g. economic benefits to Spain, Ireland, Portugal. The EU member countries are not at war more because of NATO and nuclear weapons than being in the EU.
The benefits do not apply to the UK but to other countries. 60% of UK trade is in the EU and the UK is in negative trade balance with the EU on that trade i.e. no benefit.
the idea that a trade deficit = no benefit is mercantilism, discredited since Ricardo at least... your economics is what needs updating, not the Independent's list.
50. Lists like this drive Eurosceptics mad
- in other words most UK citizens.
51. marxists finally get to live their dream without a fight.
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