The EU/European Union describes a economical and political union of 28 States. With an estimated population of around 510 million the European Union policies aim to allow the free movement of people, goods and services. Within the internal market it aims to maintain common policies on agriculture, trade and more.
Members
The EU and European citizenship were established in 1933. With the inner original 6 being Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. Although no member state has ever left, in 2016 the UK announced its intention to leave and has begun negotiating their departure for 2019.
More foreign aid is provided by the EU than any other economic union. Due to its Global influence and reach the Union has been described as an emerging superpower.
In 2024, the European Commission reported that wind power became the European Union's second-largest source of electricity, overtaking natural gas and coming in just behind nuclear.
Embracing a new era of innovation, The European Commission and South Korea are engaged in talks to establish a Horizon Europe Partnership, a collaboration in the EU's €95.5 billion research and innovation program.
The deployment of new AI tools, like ChatGPT, has increased awareness across the EU regarding regulation, potentially changing its Artificial Intelligence Act.
EU Green Deal environmental commitments require farmers across the EU to make significant changes in how they work – from reducing their carbon footprints to adopting more sustainable practices.
Mariya Mincheva from the European Economic and Social Committee, states the case for tackling skills shortages and inactivity head-on to deliver a resilient labour market.
The European Commission has plans to make its clean technology fully European-made, to deliver sustainability agendas with renewable energy in the bloc.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and rising fuel prices have forced EU countries to reevaluate their energy policies, bringing energy efficiency and building renovation into sharp focus.
Canada is likely to become the next country joining the EU’s flagship €95.5 billion research programme, with potential negations opening for Japan and South Korea’s Horizon association.
To encourage the use of data in improving sustainability, the EU is working on a new proposal – the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Requirements (ESPR).
