WHY EU

Andorra

Andorra is not a member of the EU, but enjoys a special relationship with it and uses the euro. MICROSTATE

Iceland

In 2009 Iceland applies to the EU, in 2010 serious talking about joining the EU begin. Iceland goes through some financial crisis (which induces the EU application) and a center-right party is elected and then withdraws the EU application in 2015 when their GDP has reached a level that they are comfortable with.

THE THIRD ENLARGEMENT

(1986) Portugal and Spain

THE LARGEST ENLARGEMENT

(2004) Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latavia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia

Slovenia

(2004) Slovenia was the first former Yugoslav (socialist) republic to join the European Union, in May 2004 - shortly after joining Nato. It declared it independence in 1991, independence was recognized by the EU in 1992, and in 2004 it joined the EU.

Albania

2010 November - European Union rejects Albania's request for EU candidate status, but eases visa requirements for Albanians, they are kinda socialist .

Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Italy

(1957) After the second world war, these countries wanted to respond with a way to keep countries accountable, like shared economics, and trade interdependently so that conflict will become less likely. It used to be called the European Economic community and then the EU

Spain

(1986) In Spain, the death of General Francisco Franco allowed Spain to have some political reform. While normalizing democracy, Spain had some failed coups but the King was still trying to spread good. After lots of negotiations Spain's Treaty of Accession to the EEC on 12 June 1985 in Madrid.

Portugal

(1986) Portugal has experience a dictatorship since 1933 by 1974, the regime was overthrown by a revolution. The new democratic state applied to be an EEC (EU) country and the Accession Treaty between Portugal and the EEC was in Lisbon on 12 June 1985. The Treaty came into force on 1 January 1986

THE FOURTH ENLARGEMENT

(1995) Austria, Finland, Sweden

Latavia

(2004) Latavia was free from the soviet union ties that they were forced to make in the 1940's. They were invited to join the EU but had to make the Copenhagen requirements of having a democracy, etc and the EU offered protection for the Russian border- they joined in 2004

Montenegro

2006 June - Montenegro declares independence, Serbia responds by declaring itself the independent sovereign successor state to the Union of Serbia and Montenegro, 2008 December - Montenegro presents official application for EU membership, on the current agenda

Ireland

(1973) After 50 years of independence from the UK, Ireland was trying to find a place in the global economic community, but still very dependent on the UK. The country suffered from poverty, emigration, and a suffering agricultural economy- the EU help them out a lot.

Denmark

(1973) Denmark applied with Britain in 1961, but after the UK got vetoed, Denmark did not want to commit because so dependent on the UK. When Britain got accepted, Denmark also decided to join the EU, basically doing anything that the UK would do so they could keep their economic ties.

United Kingdom

(1973) There are many reasons why the UK joined the EU, but the main reason was because their economics were in a decline since the 1940's and the EU was one of the best ways to stabilize their economy- and it did. From 1973-2010 the economy was very stable. Also, General Charles de Gaulle (president of France, he vetoed them in 1961 when they first applied) died and he was the main one that didn't want Britain.

Greece

(1981) After throwing of the regime of the colonels and restoring democracy, Greece applied to join the European Community in 1975- it met the Copenhagen Criteria, so the EU accepted Greece. Greece was a way to secure democracy in southern europe during the height of the Cold War.

Finland

(1995) Left the EFTA, Finland, with it's close ties to the Soviet Union joined the EU when the Iron Curtain fell. They seized the chance for a unity and security to benefit their small country of 5.5 million people.

Sweden

(1995) Sweden with their neighboring countries, sweden decided to join the EU as well for protection, but, with the exception of major cities, will not adopt the Euro. **

Austria

(1995)Austria did not want to join the European Economic Community (EEC) because of the homogenous economic integration and joined the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in the 1960's. 20 years later, during some economic and neutrality hardships. Austria decided to apply to the EC (later the EU). After the fall of the Berlin wall in November 1989, Austria was accepted in to the EU with other countries like Finland and Sweden.

Cyprus

(2004) Britain granted independence to Cyprus under a power-sharing constitution between Turkish and Greek Cypriots, holding rights over the island along with Turkey and Greece. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the north in response to a military coup on the island which was backed by the Greek government. In 2004, Cyprus joined the EU but as a divided Island. The status of Northern Cyprus as a separate political entity is recognised only by Turkey.

Czech Republic

(2004) Czech Republic gained back it's freedom in 1989, split from the Slovak republic in 1993 and tried to start splitting away from it's communist state. They joined NATO to promote democracy, in 1999 and then the EU in 2004.

Estonia

(2004) Estonia gained its freedom in 1991 and after decided to either keep their communist ties with Russia or look to the West, the decided to try and join NATO and the EU. They were the first of the soviet republics to negotiate on joining the EU. Also for security

Malta

(2004) In 1964, Malta is granted independence from Great Britain, in 1974 Malta became a republic. They start to hold summits between the Soviet and US leaders, the apply to the EU and then get accepted in 2004. They adopt the Euro in 2008

Hungary

(2004) In Hungary, after the fall of communism in 1989, democratic elections are held and Soviet forces withdraw. In 99, Hungary joins NATO and then the EU in 2004. However, a law is passed in 2011 that threatens democracy, the EU expresses concerns and then when Hungary goes in to debt, the EU suspends their aid to Hungary, then restrictions are sanctioned and now they are dealing with a immigrant crisis and recreations.

Lithuania

(2004) In Lithuania, after WW2 when the Nazis left, the soviet union took back it's presence. When the USSR failed, Lithuania declared independence, named itself the first baltic state, NATO and the EU. Lithuania and its neighbors joined for security and dependence on other countries.

Poland

(2004) Poland joins the Soviet-run Warsaw Pact military alliance, over run with communist rule, in the 80's martial law is imposed, in 1989 Tadeusz Mazowiecki becomes the first non-Communist Polish prime minister since 1946. In in 1991, they have their first parliamentary elections, In 1999, they join NATO and then in 2004 they join the EU

Slovakia

(2004) Slovakia gains Independence after Czechoslovakia (part of the eastern block) splits in 1993 , a democratic leader was elected, in 2002, EU summit in Copenhagen formally invites Slovakia to join in 2004. And in 2009, they adopt the euro.

Bulgaria

(2007) After the second world war, it became a satellite for the Soviet Union. The fall of the USSR inspires people of Bulgaria to be more democratic: however, in the early 90's it is somewhat socialists, in the later 90's they have general elections where a prime minister is elected. Socialist parties are being elected, the EU allows Bulgaria to join in 2007, but since then the EU has been restricted funds to Bulgaria and hasn't been that happy with them.

Romania

(2007) In 1989, the communist leader and his wife were executed under a revolution (fall of communist regime). In 1996 an election is held where center-right candidate was elected, in 2004 a prime minister is elected and he plans to speed up EU process. In 2007, the EU accepts Romania as one of their countries.

Croatia

(2013) Croatia was involved in communist regimes with Yugoslavia, but in 89 when the communist fell, the first free elections took place in 90. In 1991, Croatia declared its independence, and in 1996 it fixes its relations with Yugoslavia. In the early 2000's Croatia wants to join the EU, but the EU says that is needs to deal with the corruption and treatment of non-croatians before it is allowed. It's neighbor slovenia doesn't want Croatia to join the EU because of borders, in 2013 the EU basically says ok you can join, but you still have to curb corruption.

FOUNDING MEMBERS

1952 Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Italy

THE FIRST ENLARGEMENT

1973 Ireland, Denmark and United Kingdom

Georgia

Increasing US economic and political influence in the country has long been a source of concern for neighboring Russia, as have Georgia's aspirations to join NATO and the EU. Close relations with Russia and political unrest (lots of protest) have been negative for Georgia. Putin has threatened armed forces on Georgia many times, especially when Georgia was blamed for housing Chechen rebels. The EU and Georgia have a trade deal in 2014, but are not part of the European Union.

Moldova

Lots of Russians, Ukrainians and Romanians (basically the same language), they declared their independence republic 1991. When Moldova started getting close with Romania, in 1990 the Transdienester's broke off to declare their own country, but have not been recognized as an independent state. Moldova started to sign with the EU, but Russia then imposed restrictions on the country. Pro Russians continued to storm the capital and protest. There has been some talk to merge with Romania, or that Moldova is already a de facto member of the EU because of Romania. But because of the break off state and the backing of Russia, things are not settled yet.

Norway

Norway tried to become part of the EU with the first enlargement (1973), but trh referendum voted to not become apart of the EEC (EU), so they signed a trade agreement with them. In 1994, they had another referendum, which again failed to join the EU. They have a deal on fishing quotas though.

Russia

Putin is a fierce nationalist that responds with violent force. He often put sanctions on other countries with hostility towards the rest. Many countries in the EU have joined due to the shadow that Russia casts.

Serbia

Serbia became a stand-alone sovereign republic in the summer of 2006 after Montenegro voted in a referendum for independence from the Union of Serbia and Montenegro, Kosovo declared independence on 17 February 2008 after the failure of UN-brokered talks on the status of the province. Serbia said the declaration was illegal, and other countries are divided as to whether to recognise it, In December 2009 Serbia formally submitted its application to join the EU. The beginning of accession talks was delayed while two major Serbian war crimes suspects were still at large, but with the arrest of former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic and Croatian Serb leader Goran Hadzic in 2011, this block to Serbia gaining EU candidate status was removed.

Bosnia-Hercegovina

Serbian genocide, efforts by the EU and US to break the stalemate on constitutional reform and prepare the country for eventual EU and Nato membership ended in failure when leaders of the three main ethnic groups rejected the proposals.

Azerbaijan

Since the fall of the soviet union, there has been political unrest in Azerbaijan. Parties will rise and fall and human rights issues had plagued the country. Because of the poor democratic state, and political uncertainty, they are not in the EU

Switzerland

Switzerland's geographical position in central Europe and studied neutrality have given it the access and political stability to become one of the world's wealthiest countries. It joined the United Nations only in 2002. Surrounded by the European Union, it has vacillated between seeking closer engagement with its powerful neighbour and other international organisations, and preferring a more isolationist course.

Ukraine

They "gained" independence in 1991 after the fall of the soviet union, however Russia has seemed to not want to let go of any ties. Ukraine has a trade agreement with the EU, but is not part of the EU. There is a current civil war in Ukraine between Russian proxies and people who want to become a separatists state.

Belarus

With a new president, Belarus is now joining Russia. Belarus have has issues with political figures and NATO, embezzlement, too close with Russia.

Armenia

gained independence from the soviet union in 1991, EU wanted to help out Armenia, but Armenia decided to join the Russian led customs union, so the EU says no thank you. Right now, Armenia still has trouble identifying what their political system is today