EU's achievements

The EU has achieved many things.

A peaceful and stable Europe

With NATO, the EU has played a major role in safeguarding peace and security in Europe - and in spreading it to neighbouring countries. It is now difficult to imagine war between EU countries.

A bigger and wealthier European economy

In 1992, the EU created a 'single market' for all its members. This means work and business can be done anywhere within the EU. This single market has reduced bureaucracy, made trade easier, forced prices down, and made Europeans richer on average. There ate benefits from the results of greater competition within the EU for everyone, for example through cheaper flights, phone calls and energy prices.

An EU with influence in the world

One in eight members of the United Nations (UN) is a member of the EU. Europe is an equal partner to the United States in trade negotiations. EU peacekeepers have worked in Macedonia, Bosnia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Acting through the EU and on their own, member countries are also the world's largest providers of international aid, helping to reduce worldwide poverty.

Enabling businesses to trade freely and people to work where they want

A major EU achievement has been the creation of the single market -- allowing free movement of people, goods, services and money.

This means that European citizens can live and work anywhere they want within the EU. More than three-quarters of a million Britons have already taken advantage of this right by going to live in another EU member country.

And it gives EU businesses access to the world's largest free-trade area -- a market of more than 450 million consumers without tariffs or other restrictions on internal trade. This increases competition and efficiency, and makes it easier to create jobs and wealth. Consumers benefit from greater choice, common safety standards and lower prices.

The EU is now building on the achievements of the single market to ensure that EU businesses can remain competitive as global trade opens up.

(Courtesy:www.fco.gov.in)

First Published: Sep 06, 2005 15:28 IST