• The European Union is an intergovernmental collection of independent, democratic, member states who work as a political and economic community to develop a common market in the region. There are currently 27 member states in the EU and 15 have adopted the Euro, the common currency of the European Union.

  EU nations chose representatives of their shared legislative body in the European Parliament elections of June 7, 2009. Though voter turnout was at a record low, the election did result in some significant news: for the first time, the far-right British National Party won a seat; and center-left parties throughout the continent lost strength, except in Greece, where the Panhellenic Socialist Movement beat the ruling center-right New Democracy Party.EUObserver: Centre-left losing ground in initial EU polls Xinhua: Record low voter turnout in European Parliament elections

• Fast Facts

  1. Established: 1993
  2. Number of member states: 27
  3. Combined population: 500 million
  4. 2007 GDP: $16.8 trillion
  5. Represents 30% share of the world's gross domestic product
  6. The Euro (common currency) used by 15 EU countries

• Member Countries

  • 1957: Belgium
  • 1957: France
  • 1957: Italy
  • 1957: Luxembourg
  • 1957: Netherlands
  • 1957: Germany
  • 1973: Denmark
  • 1973: Ireland
  • 1973: United Kingdom
  • 1981: Greece
  • 1986: Portugal
  • 1986: Spain
  • 1995: Austria
  • 1995: Sweden
  • 1995: Finland
  • 2004: Cyprus
  • 2004: Czech Republic
  • 2004: Estonia
  • 2004: Hungary
  • 2004: Latvia
  • 2004: Lithuania
  • 2004: Malta
  • 2004: Poland
  • 2004: Slovakia
  • 2004: Slovenia
  • 2007: Bulgaria
  • 2007: Romania

• Policies

  The EU has developed a role in foreign policy, abolishing passport control between many member states and representing them before other international organizations. The EU has also implemented a development policy to increase the agricultural and industrial capacities of member states, and established a legal framework for the protection of human rights and adjudication of cross-border crimes and disputes.

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