European integration

This article is about the process of state integration into Europe. For the political doctrine of a common European culture, see Europeanism.
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European integration is the process of industrial, political, legal, economic, social and cultural integration of states wholly or partially in Europe. European integration has primarily come about through the European Union and its policies.

History

One of the first to conceive of a union of European nations was Count Richard Nikolaus von Coudenhove-Kalergi, who wrote the Pan-Europa manifesto in 1923.[1] His ideas influenced Aristide Briand, who gave a speech in favour of a European Union in the League of Nations on 8 September 1929, and who in 1930 wrote a "Memorandum on the Organization of a Regime of European Federal Union" for the Government of France,[2] which became the first European government formally to adopt the principle.

“ We must build a kind of United States of Europe. In this way only, will hundreds of millions of toilers be able to regain the simple joys and hopes which make life worth living.

Winston Churchill [3]

 ”

At the end of World War II, the continental political climate favoured unity in democratic European countries, seen by many as an escape from the extreme forms of nationalism which had devastated the continent.[4] In a speech delivered on 19 September 1946 at the University of Zürich, Switzerland, Winston Churchill postulated a United States of Europe.[5] The same speech however contains remarks, less often quoted, which make it clear that Churchill did not initially see Britain as being part of this United States of Europe: We British have our own Commonwealth of Nations ... And why should there not be a European group which could give a sense of enlarged patriotism and common citizenship to the distracted peoples of this turbulent and mighty continent and why should it not take its rightful place with other great groupings in shaping the destinies of men? ... France and Germany must take the lead together. Great Britain, the British Commonwealth of Nations, mighty America and I trust Soviet Russia-for then indeed all would be well-must be the friends and sponsors of the new Europe and must champion its right to live and shine.

Theories of integration

The question of how to avoid wars between the nation-states was essential for the first theories. Federalism and Functionalism proposed the containment of the nation-state, while Transactionalism sought to theorise the conditions for the stabilisation of the nation-state system. One of the most influential theories of European integration is Neo-functionalism, developed by Ernst B. Haas (1958) and further investigated by Leon Lindberg (1963). The important debate between neofunctionalism and (liberal) intergovernmentalism still remains central in understanding the development and set-backs of the European Union. But as the empirical world has changed, so have the theories and thus the understanding of European Integration. Today there is a relatively new focus on the complex policy making in the EU and Multi-level governance (MLG) trying to produce a theory of the workings and development of the EU.

Citizens' organisations calling for further integration

Various federalist organisations have been created over time supporting the idea of a federal Europe. These include the Union of European Federalists, the European Movement International and the European Federalist Party. The Union of European Federalists (UEF) is a European non-governmental organisation, campaigning for a Federal Europe. It consists of 20 constituent organisations and it has been active at the European, national and local levels for more than 50 years. The European Movement International is a lobbying association that coordinates the efforts of associations and national councils with the goal of promoting European integration, and disseminating information about it. The European Federalist Party is the pro-European, pan-European and federalist political party which advocates further integration of the EU and the establishment of a Federal Europe. Its aim is to gather all Europeans to promote European federalism and to participate in all elections all over Europe. It has national sections in 15 countries.

Overlap of membership in various agreements

Council of Europe Schengen Area European Free Trade Association European Economic Area Eurozone European Union European Union Customs Union Agreement with EU to mint euros GUAM Central European Free Trade Agreement Nordic Council Baltic Assembly Benelux Visegrád Group Common Travel Area Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Union State Switzerland Iceland Norway Liechtenstein Sweden Denmark Finland Poland Czech Republic Hungary Slovakia Greece Estonia Latvia Lithuania Belgium Netherlands Luxembourg Italy France Spain Austria Germany Portugal Slovenia Malta Cyprus Ireland United Kingdom Croatia Romania Bulgaria Turkey Monaco Andorra San Marino Vatican City Georgia Ukraine Azerbaijan Moldova Armenia Russia Belarus Serbia Albania Montenegro Macedonia Bosnia and Herzegovina Kosovo (UNMIK) Kazakhstan
A clickable Euler diagram showing the relationships between various multinational European organisations and agreements.

There are various agreements with overlapping membership. Several countries take part in a larger number of agreements than others.

Common membership of member states of the European Union

All member states of the European Union (EU) are members of the:

have organizations that are members of the:

have organisations that are members, associated partners or observers of the

are located in the European Broadcasting Area (EBA)

Most integrated countries

Fourteen states are part of Eurozone and NATO. These are Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

They are all members of:

Of these countries,

Only Belgium and Germany are part of all of these groups.

Geographic scope

Beyond geographic Europe

Some agreements that are mostly related to countries of the European continent, are also valid in territories outside the continent.

Not listed below are agreements if their scope is beyond geographic Europe only because the agreement includes:

List:

Limited to regions within geographic Europe

Several regional integration efforts have effectively promoted intergovernmental cooperation and reduced the possibility of regional armed conflict. Other initiatives have removed barriers to free trade in European regions, and increased the free movement of people, labour, goods, and capital across national borders.

Nordic countries

Since the end of the Second World War, the following organisations have been established in the Nordic region:

The Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers is a co-operation forum for the parliaments and governments of the Nordic countries created in February 1953. It includes the states of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and their autonomous territories (Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland).

The Nordic Passport Union, created in 1954 but implemented on 1 May 1958, establishes free movement across borders without passports for the countries' citizens. It comprises Denmark, Sweden and Norway as foundational states; further, it includes Finland and Iceland since 24 September 1965, and the Danish autonomous territories of Faroe Islands since 1 January 1966.

Baltic Sea region

The following political and/or economic organisations have been in the Baltic region in the post-modern era:

The Baltic Assembly aims to promote co-operation between the parliaments of the Baltic states, namely the Republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The organisation was planned in Vilnius on 1 December 1990, and the three nations agreed to its structure and rules on 13 June 1994.

The Baltic Free Trade Area (BAFTA) was a trade agreement between Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. It was signed on 13 September 1993 and came into force on 1 April 1994. The agreement was later extended to apply also to agricultural products, effective from 1 January 1997. BAFTA ceased to exist when its members joined the EU on 1 May 2004.

The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) was founded in 1992 to promote intergovernmental cooperation among Baltic Sea countries in questions concerning economy, civil society development, human rights issues, and nuclear and radiation safety. It has 12 members including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland (since 1995), Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden and the European Commission.

In 2009 the European Council approved the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) following a communication from the European Commission. The EUSBSR was the first macro-regional strategy in Europe. The Strategy aims to reinforce cooperation within the Baltic Sea Region, to address challenges together, and to promote balanced development in the Region. The Strategy contributes to major EU policies, including Europe 2020, and reinforces integration within the Region.[8]

Nordic-Baltic Eight

Main article: NB8

Low Countries region (Benelux)

Since the end of the First World War the following unions have been set in the Low Countries region:

The Benelux is an economic and political union between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. On 5 September 1944, a treaty establishing the Benelux Customs Union was signed. It entered into force in 1948, and ceased to exist on 1 November 1960, when it was replaced by the Benelux Economic Union after a treaty signed in The Hague on 3 February 1958. A Benelux Parliament was created in 1955.

The Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) can be seen as a forerunner of the Benelux. BLEU was created by the treaty signed on 25 July 1921. It established a single market between both countries, while setting the Belgian franc and Luxembourgian franc at a fixed parity.

Black Sea region

Several regional organisations have been founded in the Black Sea region since the fall of the Soviet Union, such as:

The Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) aims to ensure peace, stability and prosperity by encouraging friendly and good-neighbourly relations among the 12 state members, located mainly in the Black Sea region. It was created on 25 June 1992 in Istanbul, and entered into force on 1 May 1999. The 11 founding members were Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Serbia (then Serbia and Montenegro) joined in April 2004.

The GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development is a regional organisation of four post-Soviet states, which aims to promote cooperation and democratic values, ensure stable development, enhance international and regional security, and stepping up European integration. Current members include the four founding ones, namely, Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova. Uzbekistan joined in 1999, and left in 2005.

Britain and Ireland

Since the end of the First World War, the following agreements have been signed in the Britain and Ireland and Irish region:

The British-Irish Council was created by the Belfast Agreement in 1998 to "promote the harmonious and mutually beneficial development of the totality of relationships among the peoples of these islands". It was formally established on 2 December 1999. Its membership comprises Ireland, the United Kingdom, three of the constituent countries of the UK (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales), and three British Crown dependencies (Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Jersey). Because England does not have a devolved government, it is not represented on the Council as a separate entity.

The Common Travel Area is a passport-free zone established in 1922 that comprises Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.

Central Europe

The following cooperation agreements have been signed in Central Europe:

The Visegrad Group is a Central-European alliance for cooperation and European integration, based on an ancient strategic alliance of core Central European countries. The Group originated in a summit meeting of Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland held in the Hungarian castle town of Visegrád on 15 February 1991. The Czech Republic and Slovakia became members after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993.

In 1989, Central European Initiative, a forum of regional has been formed in Hungary.

The Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) is a trade agreement between countries in Central Europe and the Balkans, which works as a preparation for full European Union membership. As of 2013, it has 7 members: Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and UNMIK-administered Kosovo province.

It was established in 1992 by Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland, but came into force only in 1994. Czechoslovakia had in the meantime split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Slovenia joined in 1996, while Romania did the same in 1997, Bulgaria in 1999, and Croatia in 2003. In 2004, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia left the CEFTA to join the EU. Romania and Bulgaria left it in 2007 for the same reason. Subsequently, Macedonia joined it in 2006, and Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and UNMIK (on behalf of Kosovo) in 2007. In 2013, Croatia left the CEFTA to join the EU.

Switzerland and Liechtenstein participate in a customs union since 1924, and both employ the Swiss franc as national currency.

Eastern bloc

The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance and the Warsaw Pact included most of Eastern Europe. Both are dissolved.

Danube region

The EU Strategy for the Danube Region was endorsed by the European Council in 2011 and is the second macro-regional strategy in Europe. The Strategy provides a basis for improved cooperation among 14 countries along the Danube River. It aims to improve the effectiveness of regional integration efforts and leverage the impact of policies at the EU, national and local levels.[9]

Council of Europe

  Ten founding members
  Joined subsequently
  Official candidates
  Observer at the Parliamentary Assembly
  Observer at the Committee of Ministers
  Observer at the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly
Main article: Council of Europe

Against the background of the devastation and human suffering during the Second World War as well as the need for reconciliation after the war, the idea of European integration led to the creation of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg in 1949.

The most important achievement of the Council of Europe is the European Convention on Human Rights of 1950 with its European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which serves as a de facto supreme court for human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout Europe. Human rights are also protected by the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and the European Social Charter.

Most conventions of the Council of Europe pursue the aim of greater legal integration, such as the conventions on legal assistance, against corruption, against money laundering, against doping in sport, or internet crime.

Cultural co-operation is based on the Cultural Convention of 1954 and subsequent conventions on the recognition of university studies and diplomas as well as on the protection of minority languages.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, former communist European countries were able to accede to the Council of Europe, which now comprises 47 states in Europe. Therefore, European integration has practically succeeded at the level of the Council of Europe, encompassing almost the whole European continent, with the exception of Kazakhstan and Belarus, the latter due to its still non-democratic government.

European integration at the level of the Council of Europe functions through the accession of member states to its conventions as well as through political coordination at the level of ministerial conferences and inter-parliamentary sessions. In accordance with its Statute of 1949, the Council of Europe works to achieve greater unity among its members based on common values, such as human rights and democracy.

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is a trans-Atlantic intergovernmental organisation whose aim is to secure stability in Europe. It was established as the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) in July 1973, and was subsequently transformed into its current form in January 1995. The OSCE has 56 member states, covering most of the northern hemisphere.

The OSCE develops three lines of activities, namely the Politico-Military Dimension, the Economic and Environmental Dimension and the Human Dimension. These respectively promote (i) mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution; (ii) the monitoring, alerting and assistance in case of economic and environmental threats; and (iii) full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

European Free Trade Association

EFTA members

The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a European trade bloc which was established on 3 May 1960 as an alternative for European states who didn't join the EEC. EFTA currently has four member states: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein; just Norway and Switzerland are founding members.

The EFTA Convention was signed on 4 January 1960 in Stockholm by 7 states: Austria, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Finland became an associate member in 1961 and a full member in 1986; Iceland joined in 1970 and Liechtenstein did the same in 1991.

The United Kingdom and Denmark left in 1973, when they joined the European Community (EC). Portugal left EFTA in 1986, when it also joined the EC. Austria, Finland and Sweden ceased to be EFTA members in 1995 by joining the European Union, which superseded the EC in 1993.

European Broadcasting Union

Countries with Active EBU Membership coloured in order of accession from 1950.

Founded in 1950.

European Patent Convention

EPC contracting states and the extension states, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

As of 2013 there are 38 parties to European Patent Convention. The Convention on the Grant of European Patents was first signed on 5 October 1973.

European Communities

In 1951, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany agreed to confer powers over their steel and coal production to the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in the Treaty of Paris, which came into force on 23 July 1952.

Coal and steel production was essential for the reconstruction of countries in Europe after the Second World War and this sector of the national economy had been important for warfare in the First and Second World Wars. Therefore, France had originally maintained its occupation of the Saarland with its steel companies after the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) in 1949. By transferring national powers over the coal and steel production to a newly created ECSC Commission, the member states of the ECSC were able to provide for greater transparency and trust among themselves.

This transfer of national powers to a "Community" to be exercised by its Commission was paralleled under the 1957 Treaty of Rome establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (or Euratom) and the European Economic Community (EEC) in Brussels.

In 1967, the Merger Treaty (or Brussels Treaty) combine the institutions of the ECSC and Euratom into that of the EEC. They already shared a Parliamentary Assembly and Courts. Collectively they were known as the European Communities. In 1987, the Single European Act (SEA) was the first major revision of the Treaty of Rome that formally established the single European market and the European Political Cooperation. The Communities originally had independent personalities although they were increasingly integrated, and over the years were transformed into what is now called the European Union.

The six states that founded the three Communities were known as the "inner six" (the "outer seven" were those countries who formed the European Free Trade Association). These were Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. The first enlargement was in 1973, with the accession of Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Greece joined in 1981, and Portugal and Spain in 1986. On 3 October 1990 East Germany and West Germany were reunified, hence East Germany became part of the Community in the new reunified Germany (not increasing the number of states).

A key person in the Community creation process was Jean Monnet, regarded as the "founding father" of the European Union, which is seen as the dominant force in European integration.

European Union

The territories of the member states of the European Union (European Communities pre-1993), animated in order of accession. Territories outside of the European neighbourhood not shown.
  EU current members (as of 2013)
  Candidate countries
  Potential candidate countries

The European Union (EU) is an association of twenty-eight sovereign member states, that by treaty have delegated certain of their competences to common institutions, in order to coordinate their policies in a number of areas, without however constituting a new state on top of the member states. Officially established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993 upon the foundations of the pre-existing European Economic Community.

Thus, 12 states are founding members, namely, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. In 1995, Austria, Finland and Sweden entered the EU. Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined in 2004. Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007. Croatia acceded in 2013. Official candidate states include Albania, Macedonia,[10] Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. Morocco's application was rejected by the EEC, Iceland's application is withdrawn by government and Switzerland's is frozen. Norway rejected membership in two referendums.

The institutions of the European Union, its parliamentarians, judges, commissioners and secretariat, the governments of its member states as well as their people, all play a role in European Integration. Nevertheless, the question of who plays the key role is disputed as there are different theories on European Integration focusing on different actors and agency.

The European Union has a number of relationships with nations that are not formally part of the Union. According to the European Union's official site, and a statement by Commissioner Günter Verheugen, the aim is to have a ring of countries, sharing EU's democratic ideals and joining them in further integration without necessarily becoming full member states.

Competences

Whilst most responsibilities ('competences') are retained by the member states, some competences are conferred exclusively on the Union for collective decision, some are shared pending Union action and some receive Union support. These are shown on this table:

As outlined in Title I of Part I of the consolidated Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union
Exclusive competence
Shared competence
Supporting competence
"The Union has exclusive competence to make directives and conclude international agreements when provided for in a Union legislative act."
"Member States cannot exercise competence in areas where the Union has done so."
"Union exercise of competence shall not result in Member States being prevented from exercising theirs in" …
  • research, technological development and (outer) space
  • development cooperation, humanitarian aid
"The Union coordinates Member States policies or implements supplemental to theirs common policies, not covered elsewhere"
"The Union can carry out actions to support, coordinate or supplement Member States' actions in" …
  • the protection and improvement of human health
  • industry
  • culture
  • tourism
  • education, youth, sport and vocational training
  • civil protection (disaster prevention)
  • administrative cooperation

Economic integration

Economic integration blocs in Europe;EU, EFTA, CEFTA and Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia
Further information: Economy of the European Union

The European Union operates a single economic market across the territory of all its members, and uses a single currency between the Eurozone members. Further, the EU has a number of economic relationships with nations that are not formally part of the Union through the European Economic Area and custom union agreements.

Free trade area

EU Free trade agreements

The creation of the EEC eliminated tariffs, quotas and preferences on goods among member states, which are the requisites to define a free trade area (FTA).

Numerous countries have signed a European Union Association Agreement (AA) with FTA provisions. These mainly include Mediterranean countries (Algeria in 2005, Egypt in 2004, Israel in 2000, Jordan in 2002, Lebanon in 2006, Morocco in 2000, Palestinian National Authority in 1997, and Tunisia in 1998), albeit some countries from other trade blocs have also signed one (such as Chile in 2003, Mexico in 2000, and South Africa in 2000).

Further, many Balkan states have signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with FTA provisions, such as Albania (signed 2006), Montenegro (2007), Macedonia (2004), Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia (both 2008, entry-into-force pending).

In 2008, Poland and Sweden proposed the Eastern Partnership which would include setting a FTA between the EU and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,[11] Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.[12]

Customs union

European Union Customs Union

The European Union Customs Union defines an area where no customs are levied on goods travelling within it. It includes all member states of the European Union. The abolition of internal tariff barriers between EEC member states was achieved in 1968.

Andorra and San Marino belong to the EU customs unions with third states. Turkey is linked by the European Union-Turkey Customs Union.

Single market

European Economic Area:
  EFTA member countries excluding Switzerland
  European Union member states (excluding Croatia)
  EU member state provisionally applying the agreement (Croatia)
  EFTA signatory state that did not ratify (Switzerland)

A prominent goal of the EU since its creation by the Maastricht Treaty in 1992 is establishing and maintaining a single market. This seeks to guarantee the four basic freedoms, which are related to ensure the free movement of goods, services, capital and people around the EU's internal market.

The European Economic Area (EEA) agreement allows Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein to participate in the European Single Market without joining the EU. The four basic freedoms apply. However, some restrictions on fisheries and agriculture take place. Switzerland is linked to the European Union by Swiss-EU bilateral agreements, with a different content from that of the EEA agreement.

Eurozone

Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union (2014)
  Members of the Eurozone
  ERM-II-member with opt-out (Denmark)
  EU-member with opt-out (United Kingdom)
  The rest of the EU-members, which are obliged to join

The Eurozone refers to the European Union member states that have adopted the euro currency union as the third stage of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Further, certain states outside the EU have adopted the euro as their currency, despite not belonging to the EMU. Thus, a total of 25 states, including 19 European Union states and six non-EU members, currently use the euro.

The Eurozone came into existence with the official launch of the euro on 1 January 1999. Physical coins and banknotes were introduced on 1 January 2002.

The original members were Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Greece adopted the euro on 1 January 2001. Slovenia joined on 1 January 2007, Cyprus and Malta were admitted on 1 January 2008, Slovakia joined on 1 January 2009, Estonia on 1 January 2011, Latvia on 1 January 2014 and Lithuania on 1 January 2015.

Outside the EU, agreements have been concluded with Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City for formal adoption, including the right to issue their own coins. Montenegro and Kosovo unilaterally adopted the euro when it launched.

Fiscal union

Main article: European Fiscal Union

There has long been speculation about the possibility of the European Union eventually becoming a fiscal union. In the wake of the European sovereign debt crisis, calls for closer fiscal ties, possibly leading to some sort of fiscal union have increased; though it is generally regarded as implausible in the short term, some analysts regard fiscal union as a long-term necessity.[13][14] While stressing the need for coordination, governments have rejected talk of fiscal union or harmonisation in this regard.[15]

Aviation

  ECAC, ECAA
  ECAC

There are three main aviation related institutions present in Europe:

Energy

Energy Community in 2014 - Contracting Parties in dark blue, Observers in light blue

The transnational energy related structures present in Europe are:

Standardisation

The transnational standardisation organisations present in Europe are:

Social and political integration

Education

The ERASMUS programme (European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) seeks to encourage and support free movement of the academic community. It was established in 1987.

A total of 33 states (including all European Union states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and Turkey) are involved.

European Higher Education Area

The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) aims to integrate education systems in Europe. Thus, degrees and study periods are recognised mutually. This is done by following the Bologna process, and under the Lisbon Recognition Convention of the Council of Europe.

The Bologna declaration was signed in 1999 by 29 countries, all EU members or candidates at the moment (except Cyprus which joined later) and three out of four EFTA countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. Croatia, Cyprus, Liechtenstein, and Turkey joined in 2001. In 2003, Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Holy See (a Council of Europe permanent observer), Macedonia, Russia, and Serbia signed the convention. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine followed in 2005. Montenegro joined in 2007. Finally, Kazakhstan (not a member of the Council of Europe) joined in 2010. This makes a total of 47 member states. Monaco and San Marino are the only members of the Council of Europe which have not adopted the convention. The other European nation that is eligible to join, but has not, is Belarus.

Research

There are a number of multinational research institutions based in Europe. Of these, eight are engaged in the EIROforum collaboration.

Health

EHIC participating nations (EU members in blue, non-members in green)
epSOS participating nations

The European Health Insurance Card (or EHIC) is issued free of charge and allows anyone who is insured by or covered by a statutory social security scheme of the EEA countries and Switzerland to receive medical treatment in another member state for free or at a reduced cost, if that treatment becomes necessary during their visit (for example, due to illness or an accident), or if they have a chronic pre-existing condition which requires care such as kidney dialysis.

The epSOS project, also known as Smart Open Services for European Patients, aims to promote free movement of patients.[16] It will allow health professionals to electronically access the data from patients from another country, to electronically process prescriptions in all involved countries, or to provide treatment in another EU state to a patient on a waiting list.

The project has been launched by the EU and 47 member institutions from 23 EU member states and 3 non-EU members. They include national health ministries, national competence centres, social insurance institutions and scientific institutions as well as technical and administrative management entities.

Charter of Fundamental Rights

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union is a document enshrining certain fundamental rights. The wording of the document has been agreed at ministerial level and has been incorporated into the Treaty of Lisbon. Poland and the United Kingdom have negotiated an opt out from this Charter.

Right to vote

The European integration process has extended the right of foreigners to vote. Thus, European Union citizens were given voting rights in local elections by the 1992 Maastricht Treaty. Several member states (Belgium, Luxembourg, Lithuania, and Slovenia) have extended since then the right to vote to all foreign residents. This was already the case in Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden. Further, voting and eligibility rights are granted among citizens of the Nordic Passport Union, and between numerous countries through bilateral treaties (i.e. between Norway and Spain, or between Portugal and Brazil, Cape Verde, Iceland, Norway, Uruguay, Venezuela, Chile and Argentina), or without them (i.e. Ireland and the United Kingdom). Finally, within the EEA, Iceland and Norway also grant the right to vote to all foreign residents.

Schengen zone

Schengen Agreement
  Full Schengen EU members
  Non-EU Schengen members
  Future members
  Cooperating countries
Visa policy in the European Union
Main article: Schengen Area

The main purpose of the establishment of the Schengen Agreement is the abolition of physical borders among European countries. A total of 30 states, including 26 European Union states (all except Ireland and United Kingdom) and four non-EU members (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland), are subject to the Schengen rules. Its provisions have already been implemented by 26 states, leaving just Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania to do so among signatory states.

Further, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City are de facto members.

Visa policy in EU

European Union has visa-free regime agreements with some European countries outside EU and discussing such agreements with others; Russia,[17][18] Ukraine,[19] and Moldova.[20] Matters concerning Turkey have also been debated.[21][22] Ireland and the United Kingdom maintain independent visa policies in the EU.

Military

Map showing European membership of the EU and NATO
  EU member only
  NATO member only
  member of both
NATO members in blue, CSTO members in orange

There are a number of multi-national military and peacekeeping forces which are ultimately under the command of the EU, and therefore can be seen as the core for a future European Union army.[23] These corps include forces from 26 EU states – all except Denmark, which has an opt-out clause in its accession treaty and is not obliged to participate in the common defence policy; and Malta, which currently does not participate in any battlegroup –, Norway and Turkey. Further, the Western European Union (WEU) capabilities and functions have been transferred to the European Union, under its developing Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).[24]

The EU also has close ties with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), according to the Berlin Plus agreement. This is a comprehensive package of agreements made between NATO and the EU on 16 December 2002. With this agreement the EU is given the possibility to use NATO assets in case it wanted to act independently in an international crisis, on the condition that NATO does not want to act itself – the so-called "right of first refusal".[25]

The participation in European defence organisations

In fact, many EU member states are among the 28 NATO members. The Treaty of Brussels is considered the precursor to NATO. The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington, D.C. in 1949. It included the five Treaty of Brussels states, as well as the United States, Canada, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. Greece and Turkey joined the alliance in 1952, and West Germany did the same in 1955. Spain entered in 1982. In 1999, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland became NATO members. Finally, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovenia, and Slovakia joined in 2004. In 2009, Croatia and Albania joined. In 2008, Ukraine and Georgia were told that they will also eventually become members. The Republic of Macedonia's application process is finished, but it is blocked by Greece. Thus, 22 out of 28 NATO states are among the 28 EU members, another two are members of the EEA, and one more is an EU candidate and also a member of the European Union Customs Union.

Space

  ESA member countries
  ECS states
  signed Cooperation Agreement (CA)
  ESA and EU member countries
  ESA-only members
  EU-only members
For more information on ESA enlargement see also: Enlargement of the European Space Agency

On 22 May 2007, the member states of the European Union have agreed to create a common political framework for space activities in Europe by unifying the approach of the European Space Agency (ESA) with those of the individual European Union member states.[26]

However, ESA is an intergovernmental organisation with no formal organic link to the EU; indeed the two institutions have different member states and are governed by different rules and procedures. ESA was created in 1975 by the merger of the two pre-existing European organisations engaged in space activities, ELDO and ESRO. The 10 founding members were Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Ireland joined on 31 December 1975. In 1987, Austria and Norway became member states. Finland joined in 1995, Portugal in 2000, Greece and Luxembourg in 2005, the Czech Republic in 2008, and Romania in 2011. Currently, it has 20 member states: all the EU member states before 2004, plus Czech Republic, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Switzerland. In addition, Canada has had the special status of a Cooperating State under a series of cooperation agreements dating since 1979.[27][28]

The political perspective of the European Union is to make ESA an agency of the EU by 2014.[29] ESA is likely to expand in the coming years with the countries which joined the EU in both 2004 and 2007. Currently, almost all EU member states are in different stages of affiliation with ESA. Poland[30] has joined on 19 November 2012. Hungary[31] and Estonia[32] have signed ESA Convention. Latvia and Slovenia have started to implement a Plan for European Cooperating State (PECS) Charter. Slovakia, Lithuania and Bulgaria have signed a European Cooperating State (ECS) Agreement. Cyprus,[33] and Malta have signed Cooperation Agreements with ESA. The only EU member state that has not signed any agreement with ESA is Croatia.

Membership in European Union agreements

  EU, Schengen, EMU, CSDP (All agreements): 17 c.
  EU, Schengen, CSDP: 4 c.
  EU, Schengen: 1 c.
  EU, EMU, CSDP: 2 c.
  EU, CSDP: 3 c.
  EEA, Schengen: 2 c.
  Schengen, Bilateral treaties: 1 c.
  Candidates, some agreements: 5 c.
  Microstates, some agreements: 5 c.
  Association Agreement: 5 c.
  some agreements: 0 c.
For participation of non-EU countries in EU integration initiatives see also Multi-speed Europe

A small group of EU member states have joined all European treaties, instead of opting out on some. They drive the development of a federal model for the European integration. This is linked to the concept of Multi-speed Europe where some countries would create a core union; and goes back to the Inner Six references to the founding member states of the European Communities.

At present the formation of a formal Core Europe Federation ("a federation within the confederation") had been held off at every occasion that such a federation treaty had been discussed. Instead supranational institutions are created that govern more areas in "Inner Europe" than the existing European integration provides for.

Among the 28 EU state members, seventeen states have signed all integration agreements: Austria, Belgium, Finland, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

The agreements considered include the fifth stage of economic integration or EMU, the Schengen agreement and the Common Security and Defence Policy.

Thus, among the 28 EU countries, 19 have joined the Eurozone, 22 have joined Schengen, and 27 compose the European Military.

Further, some countries which do not belong to the EU have joined several of these initiatives, albeit sometimes at a lower stage such as the Customs Union, the Common Market (EEA), or even unilaterally adopting the euro; by taking part in Schengen, either as a signatory state, or de facto; or by joining some common military forces.

Thus, six non-EU countries have adopted the euro (four through an agreement with the EU and two unilaterally), four non-EU states have joined the Schengen agreement officially, and other countries have joined common military corps.

The following table shows the status of each state membership to the different agreements promoted by the EU. It lists 45 countries, including the 28 EU member states, 5 candidate states, members of EEA (2 countries plus one EU candidate), 3 countries with some soft ties to the EU, such as those with SAA or participation agreements, as well as the 4 remaining Microstates (Liechtenstein is an EEA member) and Switzerland which has multiple bilateral treaties with the EU, as well as two Eastern Partner states.

Hence, this table summarises some components of EU laws applied in the European states. Some territories of EU member states also have a special status in regard to EU laws applied. Some territories of EFTA member states also have a special status in regard to EU laws applied as is the case with some European microstates. For member states that do not have special-status territories the EU law applies fully with the exception of the opt-outs in the European Union and states under a safeguard clause or alternatively some states participate in enhanced co-operation between a subset of the EU members. Additionally there are various examples of non-participation by some EU members and non-EU states participation in particular Agencies of the European Union, the programmes for European Higher Education Area, European Research Area and Erasmus Mundus.

European Union Agreements
State Map EU EEA Customs Union Schengen EMU (Euro) CSDP
Austria Austria Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes EU BGs
Belgium Belgium Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Eurocorps, EU BGs
Estonia Estonia Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes EU BGs
Finland Finland Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes EU BGs
France France Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Eurocorps, EU BGs, EGF
Germany Germany Yes[34] Yes Yes Yes Yes Eurocorps, EU BGs
Greece Greece Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes EU BGs
Italy Italy Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes EU BGs, EGF
Latvia Latvia Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes EU BGs
Lithuania Lithuania Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes EU BGs, EGF (Partner)
Luxembourg Luxembourg Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Eurocorps, EU BGs
Malta Malta Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes,[35][36]
Netherlands Netherlands Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes EU BGs, EGF
Portugal Portugal Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes EU BGs, EGF
Slovakia Slovakia Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes EU BGs
Slovenia Slovenia Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes EU BGs
Spain Spain Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Eurocorps, EU BGs, EGF
Czech Republic Czech Republic Yes Yes Yes Yes Obliged to join EU BGs
Hungary Hungary Yes Yes Yes Yes Obliged to join EU BGs
Poland Poland Yes Yes Yes Yes Obliged to join Eurocorps,[37] EU BGs, EGF
Sweden Sweden Yes Yes Yes Yes Obliged to join EU BGs
Denmark Denmark Yes Yes Yes Yes Opt-out, ERM II No
Cyprus Cyprus Yes Yes Yes Obliged to join Yes EU BGs
Republic of Ireland Ireland Yes Yes Yes No, Visa Free Yes EU BGs
Bulgaria Bulgaria Yes Yes Yes Obliged to join Obliged to join EU BGs
Croatia Croatia Yes Accession agreement initialled Yes Obliged to join Obliged to join EU BGs
Romania Romania Yes Yes Yes Obliged to join Obliged to join, Target is 2019. EU BGs, EGF
United Kingdom United Kingdom Yes Yes Yes No, Visa Free Opt-out EU BGs
Norway Norway Applications withdrawn[38] Yes No Yes No No; EU BGs
Iceland Iceland Applications withdrawn[39] Yes No Yes No No
Switzerland Switzerland Application frozen[40] Bilateral treaties[41] No (Swiss-Liecht CU) Yes No No
Albania Albania Candidate No, EC, ECAA No No, Visa Free No No
Republic of Macedonia Macedonia[10] Candidate No, EC, ECAA No No, Visa Free No No; EU BGs[42]
Montenegro Montenegro Candidate No, EC, ECAA No No, Visa Free Unilaterally adopted No
Serbia Serbia Candidate No, EC, ECAA No No, Visa Free No No
Turkey Turkey Candidate No Customs Union[Note 1] No No No; EU BGs
Andorra Andorra No No Customs Union[Note 1] No, Visa Free Yes [Note 2] No
Liechtenstein Liechtenstein No Yes No (Swiss-Liecht CU) Yes No No
Monaco Monaco No No de facto, with France de facto, with France Yes [Note 2] No
San Marino San Marino No No Customs Union[Note 1] Open border Yes [Note 2] No
Vatican City Vatican City No No No Open border Yes [Note 2] No
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina SAA No, EC, ECAA No No, Visa Free No No
Moldova Moldova AA signed No, EC, CAA signed No No, Visa Free No No
Georgia (country) Georgia AA signed No, EC candidate, CAA signed No No No No
Ukraine Ukraine AA signed No, EC No No No No
Kosovo Republic of Kosovo SAA signed No, EC, ECAA No No Unilaterally adopted No

Notes:

  1. 1 2 3 In a customs union with the EU.[43][44][45][46]
  2. 1 2 3 4 Formal agreement with the EU to issue euros.

Future of European integration

  Current members
  Candidate countries
  Potential candidate countries
  Membership possible

There is no fixed end to the process of integration. The discussion on the possible final political shape or configuration of the European Union is sometimes referred to as the debate on the finalité politique (French for “political purpose”).[47] Integration and enlargement of the European Union are major issues in the politics of Europe, each at European, national and local level. Integration may conflict with national sovereignty and cultural identity, and is opposed by eurosceptics. To the east of the European Union, the countries of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia have announced their plan to form the Eurasian Union in year 2015, with some other former Soviet countries possibly joining them.

European Security Treaty

In 2008 Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced a new concept for Russian foreign politics and called for the creation of a common space in Euro-Atlantic and Eurasia area "from Vancouver to Vladivostok".[48] On 5 June 2009 in Berlin he proposed a new all-European pact for security that would include all Euopean, CIS countries and the United States.[49][50] On 29 November 2009 a draft version of the European Security Treaty appeared.[51][52][53] French president Sarkozy spoke positively about Medvedev's ideas and called for closer security and economic relation between Europe and Russia.[54][55][56][57][58] Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych also called for stronger integration of Europe, Ukraine and Russia. On the other hand, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said such new agreement is unnecessary.[59][60]

Common space from Lisbon to Vladivostok

Area from Lisbon to Vladivostok with all European and CIS countries

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in a German newspaper in 2010 called for common economic space, free-trade area or more advanced economic integration, stretching from Lisbon to Vladivostok.[61][62][63][64][65] He also said it is quite possible Russia could join the eurozone one day.[66] French president Nicolas Sarkozy in 2010 said he believes in 10 or 15 years there will be common economic space between EU and Russia with visa-free regime and general concept of security.[67]

Concept of a single legal space for the CIS and Europe

Russian legal scholar Oleg Kutafin and economist Alexander Zakharov produced a Concept of a Single Legal Space for the CIS and Europe in 2002. This idea was fully incorporated in the resolution of the 2003 Moscow Legal Forum. The Forum gathered representatives of more than 20 countries including 10 CIS countries. In 2007 both the International Union of Jurists of the CIS and the International Union (Commonwealth) of Advocates passed resolutions that strongly support the Concept of a Single Legal Space for Europe and post-Soviet Countries.

The concept said: "Obviously, to improve its legislation Russia and other countries of CIS should be oriented toward the continental legal family of European law. The civil law system is much closer to the Russian and other CIS countries will be instrumental in harmonising legislation of CIS countries and the European Community but all values of common law should be also investigated on the subject of possible implementation in some laws and norms. It is suggested that the introduction of the concept of a Single legal space and a single Rule of Law space for Europe and CIS be implemented in four steps:

  1. Development plans at the national level regarding adoption of selected EC legal standards in the legislation of CIS countries;
  2. Promotion of measures for harmonisation of law with the goal of developing a single legal space for Europe and CIS countries in the area of commercial and corporate law;
  3. Making the harmonisation of judicial practice of CIS countries compatible with Rule of Law principles and coordination of the basic requirements of the Rule of Law in CIS countries with the EU legal standards.
  4. Development of ideas the Roerich Pact (International Treaty on the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institution and Historic Monuments initiated by Russian thinker Nicholas Roerich and signed in 1935 by 40 % of sovereign states in Washington D.C.) into the law of CIS countries and European law.

[68]

Beyond Europe

Euro-Mediterranean Partnership

EU regional initiatives; current enlargement agenda (SAP and candidate countries), ENP; Eastern Partnership, Euromediterranean Partnership and EU-Russia Common Spaces

The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership or Barcelona Process was organised by the European Union to strengthen its relations with the countries in the Mashriq and Maghreb regions. It started in 1995 with the Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean Conference, and it has been developed in successive annual meetings.

The European Union enlargement of 2004 brought two more Mediterranean countries (Cyprus and Malta) into the Union, while adding a total of 10 to the number of Member States. The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership today comprises 43 members: 28 European Union member states, and 15 partner countries (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia, as well as the Palestinian Territories). Libya has had observer status since 1999.

The Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area (EU-MEFTA) is based on the Barcelona Process and European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). It will cover the EU, the EFTA, the EU customs unions with third states (Andorra, San Marino, and Turkey), the EU candidate states, and the partners of the Barcelona Process.

The Union for the Mediterranean is a community of countries, mostly bordering the Mediterranean Sea, established in July 2008.[69]

Ties with partners

Morocco already has a number of close ties with the EU, including an Association Agreement with FTA provisions, air transport integration, or the participation in military operations such as ALTHEA in Bosnia.

Further, it will be the first partner to go beyond association by enhancing political and economic ties, entering the Single Market, and participating in some EU agencies.[70][71][72][73]

Commonwealth of Independent States

European Union and Commonwealth of Independent States

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a loose organisation in which most former Soviet republics participate. A visa-free regime operates among members and a free-trade area is planned. Ukraine is not an official member, but has participated in the organisation. Some members are more integrated than others, for example Russia and Belarus form a Union State. In 2010 Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan formed a customs union and a single market (Common Economic Space) commenced on 1 January 2012. The Presidents of Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan plan to create a Eurasian Union with a Eurasian Commission in 2015. A common currency is also planned, potentially to be named "evraz". Some other countries in the region are potential members of these organisations.

EU and other regions and countries in the world

The European Union has made loose organisations and meeting with some other countries and regions. ASEM is forum held every two years since 1996, consisting of EU and some Asian countries, African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States with EU form ACP–EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly promoting ACP–EU development cooperation, democracy and human rights, EU and Latin American countries have made Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly. TAFTA is proposed free trade area between EU and United States.

Other organisations in world

European counties like United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal have made organisations with other countries in the world with which they have strong cultural and historical links.

European languages in the world

English is considered to be the global lingua franca. European languages like English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and German are official, co-official or widely in use in many countries with a colonial past or with a European diaspora.

World integration

Main article: Globalisation

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ben Rosamond, Theories of European Integration, Palgrave Macmillan, 2000, pp. 21–22.
  2. ↑ D. Weigall and P. Stirk, editors, The Origins and Development of the European Community, Leicester: Leicester University Press, 1992, pp. 11–15.
  3. ↑ Churchill, Winston (1946). Speech to the Academic Youth (Speech). Zürich, Switzerland.
  4. ↑ "The political consequences". Centre virtuel de la connaissance sur l'Europe. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "Ein britischer Patriot für Europa: Winston Churchills Europa-Rede, Universität Zürich, 19. September 1946" [A British Patriot for Europe: Winston Churchill's Speech on Europe University of Zurich, 19 September 1946]. Zeit Online. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  6. ↑ Declaration 52 at Wikisource
  7. ↑ "The North Atlantic Treaty". 29 November 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2008.
  8. ↑ What is the EUSBSR : EUSBSR : GroupSpaces. Balticsea-region-strategy.eu. Retrieved on 2013-07-19.
  9. ↑ http://files.groupspaces.com/EUStrategyfortheDanubeRegion/files/720746/TOmnsaHj4huI83uSbzat/Pamphlet.pdf
  10. 1 2 Officially referred to by the EU and most other European organisations by the provisional appellation "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia", due to an ongoing naming dispute.
  11. ↑ Belarus still Participating in "Eastern Partnership," FM. Telegraf.by. Retrieved on 2013-07-19.
  12. ↑ "EU Looks East as Foreign Policy Council Convenes". Deutsche Welle (Bonn). 25 May 2008. Retrieved 25 May 2008.
  13. ↑ Münchau, Wolfgang (10 November 2010). "Fiscal union is crucial to the euro's survival". Financial Times (London). Retrieved 20 January 2011. The establishment of a fiscal union would require such a massive change in the European treaties that it is hard to see how it could be done.
  14. ↑ Münchau, Wolfgang (12 December 2010). "How a mini fiscal union could end instability". Financial Times (London). Retrieved 20 January 2011. Yet almost all political and legal experts who specialise in the European Union believe a fiscal union is Utopian. If both are right a fiscal union is simultaneously necessary and impossible.
  15. ↑ Saltmarsh, Matthew (24 January 2011). "Tighter Fiscal Union in Europe? Not So Fast, Says French Finance Minister". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  16. ↑ "Smart Open Services".
  17. ↑ "Visa-free travel between Russia and the EU? Yes, but not yet". European Voice (Brussels). 9 September 2010.
  18. ↑ "Russia optimistic on EU visa-free travel". EU Observer. 3 September 2010.
  19. ↑ Ukraine Reconfirms its Aspiration for Closer Integration With the European Union. PRNewswire. 13 September 2010.
  20. ↑ "Moldova eyes EU visa-free travel". EU Observer. 10 May 2010.
  21. ↑ Turkey's visa policy: Has Turkey given up its demand of free movement in the EU?. Hurriyet. 15 February 2010.
  22. ↑ "Turkey determined to lift visa with the EU". European Union Platform. 26 May 2010.
  23. ↑ New force behind EU foreign policy BBC News – 15 March 2007
  24. ↑ Marseille Declaration 2000 weu.int
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  27. ↑ Canada-ESA Evaluation 2010 (PDF). Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  28. ↑ "ESA Portal – Benefits for Europe – ESA and Canada renew partnership in space science and technology – printer version". Esa.int. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  29. ↑ "ESA BR-268" (PDF). Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  30. ↑ "ESA Portal – Polish flag raised at ESA". Esa.int. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  31. ↑ "Hungary accedes to ESA Convention / Welcome to ESA / About Us / ESA". Esa.int. Retrieved 2016-01-06.
  32. ↑ "Estonia accedes to ESA Convention / Press Releases / For Media / ESA". Esa.int. Retrieved 2016-01-06.
  33. ↑ "ESA – About ESA – Cyprus signs Cooperation Agreement". Esa.int. 27 August 2009. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  34. ↑ 3 October 1990 for East Germany
  35. ↑ Though a member of the CSDP, Malta doesn't participate in the Eurocorps, EGF, or EU BGs.
  36. ↑ Malta considers token part in EU 'battle groups'. timesofmalta.com (2004-11-23). Retrieved on 2013-07-19.
  37. ↑ Polska dołączy do ważnego europejskiego klubu". Wojskowego
  38. ↑ accession suspended (1962 and 1967). Then rejected in two referendums (1972 and 1994)
  39. ↑ "Iceland withdraws EU accession bid | News | DW.COM | 12.03.2015". Dw.de. Retrieved 2016-01-06.
  40. ↑ "Swiss say 'no' to EU". BBC. 4 March 2001. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
  41. ↑ "Trade – Switzerland". European Commission. Retrieved 2012-09-15.
  42. ↑ "EU Battle Group, including Macedonian army troops, ends military exercise | Republika Online". English.republika.mk. 2014-06-13. Retrieved 2016-01-06.
  43. ↑ "Andorra : Customs Unions and preferential arrangements". European Commission. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  44. ↑ "San Marino : Customs Unions and preferential arrangements". European Commission. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  45. ↑ "Trade : Turkey". European Commission. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  46. ↑ "Turkey : Customs Unions and preferential arrangements". European Commission. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  47. ↑ The debate on the finalité politique of the European Enion in the applicant countries from central and eastern Europe: measures accompanying other EU activities to prepare the IGC 2004
  48. ↑ "New concept of the Russian foreign policy: from Vancouver to Vladivostok?". Geopolitika.lt. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  49. ↑ [http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=33701 MEDVEDEV PROPOSES ALL-EUROPEAN SECURITY PACT DURING BERLIN VISIT] 9 June 2008
  50. ↑ http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/email/medvedev-and-the-new-european-security-architecture 3 August 2009
  51. ↑ "The draft of the European Security Treaty". Eng.news.kremlin.ru. 29 November 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  52. ↑ The draft of the European Security Treaty In Russian
  53. ↑ Russia proposes new Euro-Atlantic security treaty 30 November 2009
  54. ↑ Sarkozy wants new EU-US-Russia security accord 14 November 2008
  55. ↑ Sarkozy backs Russian calls for pan-European security pact 15 November 2008
  56. ↑ http://en.rian.ru/world/20100619/159490485.html 19 June 2010
  57. ↑ "http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/10/06/24433259.html". :. 6 October 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2011. External link in |title= (help)
  58. ↑ Sarkozy to Propose New Bond With Russia 1 October 2010
  59. ↑ "France's Sarkozy supports Russian-European security plan | World | RIA Novosti". En.rian.ru. 19 June 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  60. ↑ No need for new European security treaty – NATO chief 8 October 2010
  61. ↑ Donahue, Patrick (25 November 2010). "Putin Promotes Trade Zone From ‘Lisbon to Vladivostok’". Bloomberg. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  62. ↑ sueddeutsche.de GmbH, Munich, Germany. "Von Lissabon bis Wladiwostok". Sueddeutsche.de. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  63. ↑ "From Lisbon to Vladivostok" (in German). Translate.google.de. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  64. ↑ "Putin Envisions a Russia-EU Free Trade Zone". Der Spiegel. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  65. ↑ "Russia and Europe: From an Analysis of Crisis Lessons to a New Partnership Agenda". Government.ru. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  66. ↑ Armitstead, Louise (26 November 2010). "Putin: Russia will join the euro one day". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  67. ↑ "Nicolas Sarkozy believes the visa-free regime (EU-Russia) is possible in 10–15 years". Visahouse.com. 26 October 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  68. ↑ Evgeny Semenyako, Petr Barenboim, The Moscow-Bruges Concept of a Single Legal and Rule of Law Space for Europe and Russia, Justitceinform, Moscow, 2007, ISBN 978-5-7205-0911-8; Peter Barenboim, Naeem Sidiqi, Bruges, the Bridge between Civilizations: The 75 Anniversary of the Roerich Pact, Grid Belgium, 2010. ISBN 978-5-98856-114-9
  69. ↑ Sarkozy sounds out basis for Mediterranean Union Euractiv.com 16 July 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
  70. ↑ . Retrieved 15 October 2008.
  71. ↑ . Retrieved 15 October 2008.
  72. ↑ . Retrieved 15 October 2008.
  73. ↑ . Retrieved 15 October 2008.

Further reading

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