Give up the mooring lines: why Switzerland didn’t want to join the EU

The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political union 27 European countries, which formed a “common market”, primarily ensuring the free movement of goods and people.

The EU has a single currency, the euro, which as of 2021 is used by 19 member countries, and has its own parliament, empowered to make decisions in a wide range of areas - from issues related to environmental protection to setting tariffs for mobile communications.

MAP OF EU COUNTRIES

EU countries

The current list of countries included in the European Union in 2021 (as of today) is as follows.

EU COUNTRIES 2021

№	MEMBER STATE	ENTRY DATE
1.	Germany	March 25, 1957
2.	Belgium
3.	Italy
4.	Luxembourg
5.	Netherlands
6.	France
7.	Denmark	January 1, 1973
8.	Ireland
9.	Greece	January 1, 1981
10.	Spain	January 1, 1986
11.	Portugal
12.	Austria	January 1, 1995
13.	Finland
14.	Sweden
15.	Hungary	May 1, 2004
16.	Cyprus
17.	Latvia
18.	Lithuania
19.	Malta
20.	Poland
21.	Slovakia
22.	Slovenia
23.	Czech
24.	Estonia
25.	Bulgaria	January 1, 2007
26.	Romania
27.	Croatia	July 1, 2013
*	Great Britain	January 1, 1973 (formal release – February 1, 2020)

On Thursday 23 June 2021, the UK held a referendum known to the world as Brexit . More than 30 million people took part in the voting. The final turnout was 71.8%. As a result, 51.9% of Britons expressed a desire to leave the European Union. At the same time, the majority of citizens of England and Wales supported leaving the EU, while residents of Scotland and Northern Ireland were against it.

According to Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which came into force in 2009, any EU country has the right to leave this association. This article regulates the procedure for leaving the EU, in particular, a maximum of 2 years is provided for the final agreement of conditions. The official start of the process of separation of Great Britain from the European Union was scheduled for March 29, 2019. This was followed by a six-month extension until October 31, 2021 .

Important. At midnight 31 January to 1 February 2020 Central European Time, the UK formally left the European Union. The country lost representation and voting rights in EU authorities, but remained part of the single economic space until the end of 2021. Within 11 months, the UK and the EU had to agree on new terms of trade and cooperation. Negotiations are currently ongoing.

The list of countries included in the EU in 2021 includes 27 states.

How does the EU differ from the Eurozone and the Schengen area?

These three associations have far from the same goals and objectives. Countries that are in the EU may not be members of the Eurozone or the Schengen area and vice versa. To understand the differences between them, you need to understand the purpose of each individual formation.

Participation of countries in European treaties and organizations.

European Union

The European Union is an association of several European countries with a common policy and economy for each participant, which has all the characteristics of a state.

Despite the independence of each individual country, they are all subject to the same legislation and act according to general rules in the field of regional development, finance, trade, industry, agriculture, medicine, education, justice and other important areas. There is also a single central bank.

There is no passport control in the EU; free movement of goods, services, funds, and citizens of member countries is allowed within the borders of the Schengen zone. But freedom of movement with restrictions affects the labor market. Here you need a special permit to work in another country.

The European Union is authorized to take full part in international relations, conduct a common foreign and defense policy, sign international documents, and make unanimous decisions in favor of certain foreign states.

There are currently 28 countries in the European Union, and five more are candidates for membership. Three countries have refused to join the EU, but partially operate under some generally accepted laws. Switzerland is one of these countries.

Executive branch: European Commission and Council. Legislation is regulated by the Parliament and the Council of the EU.

No country has yet left the European Union, except Greenland (the territory belongs to Denmark). Although any EU member has the right to do this.

EU member countries

Currently, the European Union includes 28 countries:

1. Austria;
2. Germany;
3. Greece;
4. Bulgaria;
5. Belgium;
6. Hungary;
7. Great Britain;
8. Italy;
9. Spain;
10. Denmark;
11. Ireland;
12. Lithuania;
13. Latvia;
14. Estonia;
15. Luxembourg;
16. France;
17. Czech Republic;
18. Poland;
19. Slovenia;
20. Slovakia;
21. Romania;
22. Portugal;
23. Sweden;
24. Croatia;
25. Finland;
26. Cyprus;
27. Netherlands;
28. Malta.

In 2021, the UK announced its withdrawal from the EU, but is still officially a member.

Eurozone

One of the EU's intentions is the transition of all members of the association to a common currency - the euro. For this purpose, the so-called Eurozone was created, within which this plan can be implemented. The transition to a single currency presupposes the abandonment of the national one, which not all members of the Union agree to.

There are currently 19 countries in the Eurozone.

The following states still use their national currency:

• Sweden (an ardent opponent of joining the Eurozone).
• Great Britain.
• Hungary.
• Croatia.
• Poland (not sure about the stability of this association).
• Czech Republic (plans to switch to the euro in 2021).
• Denmark (the government is in favor of joining the Eurozone, the population is against).
• Bulgaria.
• Romania.

There are countries that use the euro as their local currency, but do not join the commonwealth:

• Montenegro;
• Kosovo;
• Andorra.

Swiss banknotes

As for Switzerland, this state seeks to preserve the national currency. Therefore, a transition from the Swiss franc to the euro is hardly possible.

Despite the fact that there are a sufficient number of opponents of the transition to a single euro currency, the Eurozone is gradually expanding, its GDP is growing steadily and both domestic and foreign tourism is thriving.

Schengen Area

The European community has been discussing for many years the possibility of unimpeded movement of people, products, funds, and services to neighboring states. Based on this, the Schengen zone was formed, uniting a number of countries, between which it became possible to move without control at internal borders. This process is regulated by the Schengen Agreement within the framework of the Amsterdam Treaty.

The formation of such a space allows European countries to cooperate mutually, exchange labor resources, improve tourism and GDP growth. Thus, within the states that have signed the Schengen Agreement, there is no passport control at internal borders, but at the same time it is strengthened at external ones.

The joint forces of the participants tightened checks of third-party citizens entering the Schengen zone, and the work of police and judicial services was strengthened. In the event of a security threat or emergency, temporary control at internal borders is partially restored. Its maximum period does not exceed 30 days.

There are 26 states that are members of the Schengen Agreement; about half a million people live in the Schengen Union. Joining this association is voluntary and does not oblige you to become members of the EU and the Eurozone.

Switzerland in Schengen

Switzerland signed the Schengen agreement in 2008. Prior to this, for several years the government had been actively discussing the possibility of joining the Schengen area and the possible consequences of this decision.

Switzerland in Schengen

Swiss citizens also supported the idea of ​​annexation. But everyone was worried about the increase in migration flow and the preservation of the Swiss franc as the national currency.

As a result, in 2005, Switzerland decided to become a party to the Schengen Agreement, and for another three years the legal norms were agreed upon. Having become part of the Schengen area, the state is not a member of the EU and the Eurozone, but prefers to adhere to neutrality.

Creation of the European Union

The idea of ​​creating the European Union arose against the backdrop of the horrific consequences of the Second World War. To avoid a repetition of such events and to maximally connect countries with each other economically, in 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed uniting the coal and steel industries of Europe.

As a result, in 1951, six states - France, Western Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg - signed the Treaty of Paris and created the European Coal and Steel Community. The rapid growth of trade relations over 6 years led to the conclusion of the Rome Agreements of 1957, which led to the formation of the European Economic Community - the basis of the modern EU .

The European Union in its current form was created on the basis of the Maastricht Treaty, in force since November 1, 1993, which led to the emergence of a single European currency - the euro . Subsequently, the main EU agreements were amended in accordance with the treaties signed in Amsterdam (1997), Nice (2001) and Lisbon (2009).

Iceland and the EU were separated by the fishing industry

“This step by the right-wing government of Iceland is quite logical and expected, because the public opinion poll clearly shows that the population does not support the idea of ​​joining the EU, and the Icelandic economy is growing,” Lyudmila Babynina, head of the Center for Political Integration of the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Pravda.Ru. — The application for membership was caused precisely by the collapse of the banking system and the sharp destabilization of the economy in connection with the 2008 crisis.

Now, from an economic point of view, the situation is much better. In addition, there are well-known problems in Iceland's bilateral relations with the EU that were not resolved during the accession negotiations. These are primarily issues related to the fishing industry, whaling and agriculture.”

“ The stumbling block is the fishing industry; Iceland has purely practical interests here, because fishing quotas in the EU are determined by the European Commission; the state does not have national powers here. And for Iceland this issue is fundamental, because this is the largest sector of the economy in this country,” noted Lyudmila Babynina.

“I think that the current political elites of Iceland have come to the conclusion, in light of the economic and political processes taking place in the world, membership in the European Union will not improve the country’s situation and will not lead to the resolution of its problems,” Vladimir Shapovalov, director of the Institute of Politics and Law, and social development of Moscow State Humanitarian University. Sholokhov. According to the political scientist, the withdrawal of the application is a political, demonstrative measure, it is a message to the citizens of Iceland, the support of which the government wants to enlist. In addition, this is a kind of statement of one’s position to the world community.

Accession of countries to the European Union

The first wave of EU enlargement occurred in 1973, following the entry into the union of Great Britain, Ireland and Denmark. Greece joined in 1981, and 5 years later (1986) Portugal and Spain joined. In 1995, Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the European Union.

The largest expansion took place in 2004, when the EU gained 10 new members - Hungary, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Estonia. Romania and Bulgaria joined in 2007, and Croatia became the last country to join the EU in 2013.

EU leaders

Is there a main country in the European Union

The leading country is elected for 6 months.

Decisions are made mainly through voting at the highest level. There must be 55% of EU member states in favor.

Meetings of the European Union are held, at which the chairman puts forward topics that require resolution through agreement between representatives of the allied countries.

IMPORTANT: The European Council is the main political body.

The Commission of the European Community regulates internal issues between states.

Functioning of the EU

The total population of EU member states exceeds 510 million people . Previously a purely economic union, over the years of its existence it has turned into a powerful political association, jointly addressing issues of security, migration, climate change, healthcare, education and much more. The fundamental principles of the European Union are based on a single internal market, ensuring the free movement of goods, services, money and people, including labor.

The core values ​​of the EU include the rule of law, freedom, democracy, equality, respect for human rights and dignity. The functioning of the European Union is ensured by 7 main institutions :

1. European Parliament.
2. European Council.
3. European Commission.
4. Council of the European Union.
5. Court of Justice of the European Union.
6. European Court of Auditors.
7. European Central Bank.

Despite the nominal independence of each EU member and collective decision-making, individual countries occupy a dominant position in this association. For example, until 2021, more than half of the contributions to the general budget of the European Union came from 4 states - Germany, France, Italy and the UK. For comparison, the total share of the Baltic countries - Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia - does not exceed 1%. After Brexit, the situation is starting to change.

Many EU member countries receive considerable funds from the general budget to support the economy and social development, which significantly exceed the size of the initial contributions. Thus, sovereignty and the ability to significantly influence important decisions taken within the European Union are partially lost. Germany has been considered the political and economic leader of the EU for many years.

Definition and objectives of the European Union

The European Union is a unique organization that integrates European states that have signed an accession treaty with the goal of improving the lives of their citizens in all spheres of public life.

Goals of EU activities in different areas:

1. Human rights and freedoms:
2. promoting the preservation of peace and welfare of peoples;
3. ensuring citizens freedom, security and legality;
4. promoting and protecting one’s interests in relations with other countries.
5. Economy:
6. creation of a common internal market;
7. maintaining healthy competition;
8. socially oriented market economy;
9. promoting employment;
10. social progress;
11. improving the quality of the natural environment;
12. scientific and technical progress.
13. Social sphere:
14. combating discrimination, including gender discrimination;
15. social protection of the population;
16. ensuring justice;
17. protection of children's rights.

If the founding countries of the EU were aimed mainly at creating a common market for steel and coal, which would solve the problems of employment in these industries and increase production efficiency, today the aspirations of the European Union have expanded significantly.

The European Union is called upon to ensure maximum cohesion and solidarity of the Commonwealth countries in terms of economic development, territorial organization and social order.

EU member states are obliged to respect the richness and diversity of each other's national cultures, as well as to ensure the protection of objects of pan-European cultural heritage.

Candidates for EU membership

As already mentioned, the list of EU countries in 2021 includes 27 members. The last addition took place in 2013, when Croatia joined the association. Four Western European countries - Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein - are not members of the EU, but are closely integrated into the single economic market and are members of the Schengen area.

To join the European Union, a candidate country must meet the so-called Copenhagen criteria , which are based on democratic governance, respect for human rights, the functioning of a market economy and commitment to the goals and intentions of the EU. The right to join the European Union on a geographical basis is enshrined in Article 49 of the Maastricht Treaty.

Copenhagen EU accession criteria

Accession to the European Union is not available to all countries. Only states that clearly meet the Copenhagen criteria adopted in 1993 at the EU meeting in Copenhagen can count on membership in the EU. So, within the applicant country they must:

1. Comply with the principles of a democratic state governed by the rule of law.
2. Have a market economy capable of competing in the European market.
3. Recognize the rules and standards of the European Union.

Negotiations are held with a candidate country for accession to the EU, then checks for compliance with the above criteria. Based on a thorough analysis of the data, a decision is made on the possibility (or impossibility) of membership in the Union.

How Switzerland views the Schengen Agreement

The decision to join the united cross-border space of Europe has been discussed in Switzerland for several years. People were attracted by the undoubted benefits of the lack of customs control and cumbersome paperwork, but they were frightened by the possibility of an influx of large numbers of migrants. An important factor for business was the preservation of the position of the national currency, which the country does not intend to abandon.

The agreement to join Schengen was signed after the referendum. In 2005, the population spoke in favor of joining the society of countries united by a common migration policy. The coordination of legislative norms took three years. And in 2008, Switzerland became a party to the Treaty of Amsterdam.

What is the difference between the European Union, Eurozone and Schengen

The European Community was created on the principles of achieving a harmonious balance between the national identity of peoples and beneficial economic cooperation. The legal framework was developed so that each country received maximum benefit from interaction with its neighbors. This led to the creation of a complex mechanism that included several “elements.”

1. The European Union is a political and economic community that has a common governance system.
2. The Eurozone is an association of states that use a single currency.
3. Schengen is a space within which cross-border controls have been abolished.
4. NATO is an alliance whose purpose is to protect its members from possible threats.

Peoples independently decide to participate in a particular union. Within the framework of democratic procedures, this is usually formalized based on the results of a plebiscite. But there are exceptions.