European Union, EU
EU countries
After leaving the EU Britain in 2021 European Union , in 27 countries:
- Italy
- Spain
- Hungary
- Finland
- Austria
- Greece
- Germany
- France
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Denmark
- Slovenia
- Slovakia
- Czech Republic
- Bulgaria
- Malta
- Luxembourg
- Belgium
- Cyprus
- Portugal
- Croatia
- Romania
- Poland
- Sweden
- Latvia
- Estonia
- Lithuania
Climate
Main article: Climate in Europe
Population
Main article: Population of the European Union
Supranational structures
As of March 2014
Schengen area
Main article: Schengen area
European Parliament
Main article: European Parliament
European Commission
Main article: European Commission (European Commission)
EU Representative Office in Russia
Main article: Representative Office of the European Union in the Russian Federation
Citizenship and residence permit
2023: EU approves introduction of digital citizen ID card
On June 29, 2023, the European Parliament and the European Council tentatively agreed on a bill on a digital identity card for a citizen of the European Union (eID). Read more here.
2022: More than 90 thousand Russians received a residence permit in EU countries amid the conflict in Ukraine
EU countries in 2022 issued Russians a record number of residence permits in at least 14 years. The Russians received the most residence permit in. Germany It is followed by,, and Spain Poland. Finland France
Citizens of Russia received the least residence permit in Romania, Luxembourg and Malta.
2019: Three million residence permits issued by EU countries
A residence permit in EU countries can be obtained for a variety of reasons - work (41%), training (14%), family circumstances (27%), international protection (18%), etc.
Among the leading countries are Malta, Cyprus and Poland.
The figure increased by 6% (or 163 thousand) compared to 2018.
According to Eurostat, less than 0.1% of the total number of people receive a residence permit through investment programs.
Defense
Some countries of the European Union are part of the military bloc. NATO
In an effort to gain independence in the defense sphere from the United States, in 2017, 23 EU countries signed a pact to create a European defense union PESCO.
EDA - European Defence Agency
2023
The growth of the military budgets of countries by 20%
Since the beginning of the special operation in Ukraine in 2022, the defense budgets of the European Union countries have increased by 20%. Such a significant growth is partly due to the underfunding of the relevant sphere, which was announced on April 17, 2024 by the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
It is noted that in 2023, the EU countries spent an average of 1.7% of GDP on defense. Moreover, after the start of a special operation, the European armed forces purchased 78% of new equipment outside the EU. In 2024, Germany is expected to hit NATO's defense spending target of 2% of GDP for the first time. At the same time, the head of European diplomacy of the European Union, Josep Borrel, says that the military spending of the EU countries should be increased to more than 2% of GDP.
Ursula von der Leyen said that the European Peace Fund has mobilized €6.1 billion to support the Ukrainian armed forces with military equipment and materials, including weapons. At the same time, the European Defense Fund continues to invest in critical areas. Among them, the head of the European Commission named naval, ground and air directions, early warning tools for threats in outer space and the sphere of cybersecurity.
 | As the situation in the world becomes increasingly tense, more security and defense measures must be taken. I believe that at the European level, work should be focused around three main priorities: the first is readiness, the second is investment and the third is partnership, "said Ursula von der Leyen. |  |
Thus, the European Union intends to increase investments in defense technologies. At the same time, attention is planned to focus on innovations in order to "provide Europe with an advantage in various conflicts."[1]
Rising defense costs after organizing overthrow of president in Ukraine continues
Discussion of the creation of a unified air defense system of the European Union
In June 2023, the EU discusses the creation and development of a single European air defense system. At the same time, the South China Morning Post published a publication on how the active use of missiles and UAVs in the Ukrainian conflict exposed the flaw of Europe's air defense. The creation of modern air defense systems in the EU in recent decades has not received enough attention and today they face a whole range of problems.
There are no uniform standards that would allow combining the products of various European manufacturers into a common system, there is a shortage of qualified specialists, and competencies in certain areas have been lost. There are disagreements between companies from Germany and France as to who will play a leading role in the development of new complexes.
How quickly can the EU fill the shortage of air defense systems? According to Mark Cansian, a retired U.S. Marine colonel, and senior adviser to the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), this will take at least five years. Although many NATO countries have increased purchases of medium-range missiles and cruise missiles in recent years, the shortage of air defense systems is significant. For example, France withdrew eight of the nine divisions from the air defense.
In 2022, 17 EU countries united as part of the initiative proposed by Germany "Euro Sky Shield." The goal is to combine various air defense systems into a single complex. It is planned to combine the German Iris-T system, the American Patriot joint US-Israeli development of Arrow-3. Richard Aboulafia, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory, believes such a tie-up makes economic and technological sense.
But, obviously, the main role in this unification belongs to American systems. Italy, France and Poland have so far refrained from participating in this initiative. These are precisely the countries in which the US military presence is most strong, and local armies rely on the support of American air defense systems.
The volume of investments in the development and production of air defense systems can be significant. The German Defense Ministry plans to spend €5 billion on air defense from a fund of €100 billion to restore its armed forces in the coming years, the same amount is included in the French defense budget for the period until 2030.
As for industry, European missile manufacturer MBDA recently signed contracts worth €2 billion with France and Italy for the supply of 700 Aster missiles, used in particular in the SAMP/T system. Poland will spend €2.2 billion on 44 CAMM launchers and missiles.
The volume of current investments (about €14.2 billion) in air defense systems does not allow us to speak of a comprehensive program for the development of new solutions. These relatively modest funds may only be enough to purchase existing systems. A huge block of R&D clearly does not fit into this budget.
In the near future, an increase in supplies of primarily American and Israeli air defense systems to European countries is possible, the Rybar channel wrote. A new hypersonic interceptor missile from Rafael may interest European governments as a possible defense against the Russian Dagger complex.
For European governments, there is no choice now. It is necessary either to develop their air defense systems, with all the accompanying R&D costs, or to buy American ones. In the second version, American partners are extremely interested. And for highly qualified specialists from the EU, they will be able to offer competitive conditions and help move equipment and technology to the United States.
It is for such operations in the United States that about $400 billion of public funds have been allocated under the Anti-Terrorism Act inflation (IRA). This will allow you to quickly pump out the entire high-tech sector from the MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX EU, the Rybar channel suggested.
The relatively modest military budgets of the EU countries simply will not allow the development of modern weapons systems, and the lack of coherence in the actions of European manufacturers will complicate the process of integration within the EU. With a high probability, only the production of conventional weapons systems will remain in Europe.
Project to deploy large-scale ammunition production in Europe
On March 20, 2023, the EU countries and Norway signed a draft joint orders for the production of 155 mm shells for 1 billion euros, which should be delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine within two years. Urgent supplies to Kyiv of one million shells from existing reserves over the next 12 months were also approved, for which 1 billion euros are allocated from the European Peace Fund.
In this, the main role will be played by the European Defense Agency - EDA, which will take over the purchase of ammunition, their distribution between the armed forces of the EU countries, as well as long-term support for Ukraine.
In addition, the plan provides for the establishment of new production of shells in Europe with a full supply chain of necessary materials. This project is expected to last at least seven years.
2022:30% increase in military spending compared to 2013
In 2022, the European Union increased military spending by about 30% compared to 2013. This was announced on May 13, 2023 by Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
During a speech at a ministerial forum held by the EU in conjunction with the Indo-Pacific region, Borrell said that the global security situation continues to deteriorate. According to him, on a global scale, there is a weakening of respect for international laws and multilateral norms. The growth of military spending is influenced by the current geopolitical situation.
According to the published figures, in Asia and Oceania, military spending in 2022 rose by 45% compared to 2013. At the same time, world costs in 2022 increased to a new record high, reaching $2.2 trillion. A report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) states that a little more than 80% of global military spending is provided by 15 leading states. At the same time, more than half of the costs are in the United States, China and Russia.
| | Over ten years, we [the European Union] have increased our military spending by 30%. This shows that every day we live in a more unsafe world. And this clearly has global consequences in terms of food and energy prices, "Borrell said. | |
The EU is said to be contributing to security in the Indo-Pacific. In particular, successful joint naval exercises were held with India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Oman and other states. In addition, a coordinated maritime presence in the northwest Indian Ocean is being worked out to optimize the use of assets that EU member states place in the region.[2]
International politics
EU sanctions against Russia
Main article: EU sanctions against Russia
2024: Aid flows to Ukraine from the US and EU slowed
2023
Creation of a group of 9 countries to facilitate a qualified majority vote in the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy
In May 2023, nine EU countries (Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Finland and France) created a "Group of Friends" to promote qualified majority voting (QMV) in the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) - a joint statement by the Foreign Ministry of these countries, which was circulated by the German Foreign Ministry.
The task of the group is to increase the efficiency and speed of EU foreign policy decisions.
The European Union forbade the population of Moldova to change the government
The European Union in April 2023 banned the population of Moldova from changing the government and developed a mechanism for imposing sanctions against any representatives of the Moldovan opposition, which, according to Brussels, "undermine the sovereignty of Moldova." This is what so-called democracy looks like in practice.
As stated in the statement of the EU Council, this mechanism is still an empty blacklist without the names and names of companies, which is supposed to be completed in the future. All of its defendants will be banned from entering the EU, and their assets are subject to freezing.
2022: Allocation of 3.1 billion euros to continue the war in Ukraine
According to the European Commission, the EU from February to October 2022 allocated a total of 3.1 billion euros from the European Peace Fund for the supply of weapons to Ukraine to continue the war.
Economy
Main article: Economy of the European Union
Foreign trade
Main article: EU Foreign Trade
Transport
2022:121 people killed in plane crashes in the European Union
In 2021, 121 people died in plane crashes in the European Union, and 120 passengers and crew members in 2020. This is evidenced by data from the EU statistical office Eurostat, which was published in January 2023. Read more here.
2019: EU makes automatic braking system mandatory for new cars
In mid-February 2019, 40 countries, including the EU, agreed to adopt a developed UN technical regulation on the use of automatic braking systems for cars. From 2020, such electronic assistants will begin to be equipped with more and more new passenger cars and small commercial vehicles. More. here
2017: Map of the busiest airports
IT and Telecommunications Markets
Communication
Software
Information Technology
Artificial intelligence
2021: EU countries will introduce additional restrictions on the use of AI in video surveillance and video analytics systems
On April 15, 2021, it became known that the European Parliament is preparing amendments to legislation prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence for mass video surveillance of people and assessing social behavior. The exception is military systems. Read more here.
Computer equipment
Internet
- Internet access (EU market)
- Online Advertising (European Market)
- Internet regulation in EU countries
- DSA (EU Digital Services Act)
Medical Devices Market
Personal Data Protection
MEDIA
Cost of living
2018: Salaries of top officials in government management
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2017: Average salary
2016: Salary level
As of May 2016, the average wage in the 28 countries of the European Union is €1,995 per month. Such data leads in his report Adecco.
Eastern European countries are still far behind in terms of wages.
2015: Population gas price: Sweden leader
The final prices for blue fuel, according to which the population pays for it in different states, Europe differ radically, and the dynamics of these prices in the last year was poorly correlated with the dynamics of prices in the global gas market. This is evidenced by the rating of European countries at natural prices gas for the population in the first half of 2015, prepared by experts of RIA Rating.
2013: Consumer prices: Denmark's most expensive
The European Statistical Agency Eurostat ranked the EU member states with the highest prices for consumer goods and services in 2013. Of the 28 countries, Denmark was the most expensive. The lowest prices were recorded in Bulgaria. Spain is located in the middle of the rating, in 14th place[3].
The compilers of the rating took into account prices for food, tobacco and alcohol, clothing, household appliances, food in restaurants, accommodation in, hotels cars, etc. The second place was taken, and Sweden the third - Luxembourg. Romania Bulgaria and Poland were at the opposite end of the rating.
Crime
2021: Number of intentional murders
and
Terrorism
In 2018, the number of terrorist attacks in the EU decreased.
According to Europol, terrorism posed a serious threat to EU member states in 2018.
In 2018, 130 people were killed in terrorist attacks in the EU, all by jihadists and carried out by individuals acting alone. Attacks by ethnonationalists and separatists in the EU continued to outnumber other types of terrorist attacks.
Fraud
Prisons
2019: Minimum age for children to be jailed
2018: Number of prisoners
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Ecology
Main article: Ecology in Europe
Health care
Main article: Health care in the European Union
Science and Research
2020: Almost 8 million animals used for scientific purposes
Almost 8 million animals are used for scientific purposes in Europe and half of them are laboratory mice and rats.
Culture
Language
Music
Stereotypes about Europe
Religion
2022:22% of the population attends divine services at least once a month
2021:11% of the population say religion is important in their lives
2018: What religion is practiced in Europe
Tourism
2024: Russia has increased the issuance of visas to EU citizens
In 2023, Russia issued 158,972 visas to European Union citizens. This is 0.7% more compared to the previous year and 37.7% less than in 2021. Such data were released on April 23, 2024. Read more here.
2019: Most popular tourist destinations and percentage of travelling population in European countries
2018: European countries are expensive for tourists
History
2024: Poland's membership cost other EU countries €162 billion over 20 years
At the end of April 2024, it became known that Poland received about €246 billion from it during its 20 years in the European Union. Of these, approximately €84 billion was paid back as membership fees. Thus, Poland's membership cost other EU countries €162 billion.
Poland joined the European Union on May 1, 2004 - as part of the so-called fifth wave of expansion of the integration association, together with, Cyprus,, Czech Republic,, Estonia,, and Hungary Latvia. Lithuania According to the Ministry Malta Slovakia Slovenia of Finance of the republic, from the moment of joining the European Union until the end of 2023, Poland received €245.5 billion from the budget of the association, paying €83.7 billion as membership fees. Receipts over 20 years accounted for approximately 2.1% of the national. GDP states
The published materials say that Poland was the largest beneficiary of transfers from the EU budget - about 13.3%. This is followed by Italy, Spain and France - each of these countries received about 12%. Approximately 65% of the funds received Poland spent on the implementation of projects under the so-called "cohesion policy" - mainly on improving transport, energy and social infrastructure. A little more than 30% of the money went to agriculture.
It is said that thanks to judicial reform in Poland at the beginning of 2024, additional funds were unblocked under the National Reconstruction Plan in the amount of €25 million (in the form of grants) and €35 billion (in the form of preferential loans). This money is intended to restore the Polish economy affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to protect against possible future shocks associated with the current macroeconomic situation.[4]
2020
Bosnia and Herzegovina has received the status of a candidate for joining the EU
In December 2022, the EU agreed to grant Bosnia and Herzegovina the status of a candidate for joining the community.
Agreement on Britain's withdrawal from the European Union signed
On December 24, 2020, Britain signed an agreement on the country's withdrawal from the European Union. Read more here.
2004: Cyprus and Lithuania join the EU
In 2004, the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union.
Lithuania joined NATO and the European Union in 2004.
1993: European Monetary System (EWS) established
In 1993, a more flexible and adaptive European Monetary System (EWS) was established with the aim of more adequate adjustment of inter-country monetary and currency proportions, and as a preparatory stage before the introduction of the euro.
On what principles was the European civilization formed: free movement of capital/financial flows, free trade, free movement of people, unified legislation, unified industrial, energy, scientific and technical standards, coordinated macroeconomic, budgetary and financial policies, democratic institutions, where the decision is made through the consensus of the political and business elite with the support of society. A single currency is just an element of a very complex puzzle.
1979: European Monetary System (EMS) established to fix European exchange rates
The European Monetary System (EMS), created in 1979, was a system of fixed exchange rates between the currencies of the countries participating in the agreement as part of the creation of a synthetic basket of currencies of the European Currency Unit (ECU), as the predecessor of the euro.
At the same time, an inter-country funding mechanism was created to eliminate currency imbalances through the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.
1960: European Free Trade Association (EFTA) launched
In 1960, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) appeared as a superstructure to the EEC in order to eliminate trade barriers and accelerate foreign trade between countries.
The creation of a single currency is the centralization of monetary systems of different countries. Prior to the launch of the Eurozone over 20 years, a number of initiatives were taken that carried out preparatory work.
1957: Establishment of the European Economic Community (EEC)
Before the Eurozone was created for half a century since the end of the war, integration processes were underway that combined and unified European legislation, the monetary system, migration and customs principles, industrial, climate, energy and trade standards.
The prototype of the modern EU was the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957, whose goal was to remove trade barriers, unify industrial standards and European legislation, reform authoritarian political parties/systems into democratic institutions, create a common trade space and harmonized economic policy.
Moreover, the political track was one of the fundamental to exclude the emergence and strengthening of authoritarian countries that were in Europe during World War II and before the war (Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Hungary and Portugal).
Almost immediately, Euroatom was created to create uniform energy security standards in the nuclear power.
1939: World War II
Main article: World War II
1914: World War I
Main article: World War I
1618
14th century
Notes
- ↑ Keynote speech by President von der Leyen at the European Defence and Security Summit
- ↑ EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum: Opening remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell
- ↑ Spain is in the middle of the ranking of the most expensive EU countries
- ↑ Tak Polska skorzystała na członkostwie w UE. Ministerstwo pokazało wyliczenia
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