Belgium+-KN

__Reason for the European Union Creation__

 * In order to bring peace to the victorious and defeated nations
 * To unite European countries again
 * To keep countries safe and secure
 * So there would be economic growth
 * Bring freedom to Europeans
 * Make the world more fair and safe
 * Promotes social development
 * Keeps cultural differences of the European people

=
 ·  In 1951, the European Coal and Steel Community was founded by the 6 countries of Belgium, the Netherlands , Germany , Luxembourg , Italy , and France     ======

=
 ·  In 1973 and 1975, Denmark, UK , and Ireland joined and new policies carried out and the European Region Development fund was established   ======

=
 ·  In 1985, a time table was published stating when the European single market would be completed, January 1,1993   ======

=
 ·  In 1993, the new Treaty on European Union, Treaty of Maastricht, created the EU   ======

=
 ·  In 2004, the Czech  Republic, Cyprus , Malta , Hungary , Slovakia , Poland , Estonia , Latvia , and Lithuania joined the European Union   ======

__ Purpose of the EU __
> freedom, security, and justice” so everyone is protected the same by the law  __ EU Benefits to Europeans __  ·  Cultural bonds strengthen  ·  No boundaries  ·  Right to vote in local elections in your own country and in elections to the European Parliament  ·  Trade and transfer of goods is easier  ·  Common currency  ·  Farming benefits  ·  Better education  ·  Improved healthcare and jobs  ·  More safety  ·  Brings freedom to Europeans <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·  Live and work anywhere in Europe
 * Helps countries overlook the issues between each other
 * Helps keep peace between countries
 * Creates a bond between countries
 * Work together to narrow the gap between the rich and poor
 * The EU countries police forces work together to make the EU an “area of
 * Improve transportation systems which will increase trade
 * Protect natural resource and deal with problems related to that topic
 * Bring together scientists and researchers from different countries to improve technology<span style="font-size: 7pt; color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">

Belgium Belgium is a small country that shares borders with Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, and France. Its capital is Brussels and this city is highly urbanized. Known for its chocolate, Belgium has a various climate and terrain including flat lands and rolling hills. Mainly Roman Catholic, this country is roughly the size of Maryland.

Is your country a member of the EU? If it is not, why isn’t it a member? If it is, how and when did it become a member? Belgium is a member of the European Union. They were one of the founders of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951, so when Europe made the decision to create the EU, Belgium was a member (as of 1993). This country felt the need to bring together WWII countries so they joined with Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France, and Italy to make it happen. They were also members of the European Economic Community. Belgium is the command center of many EU organizations. Today, they are still members and they are glad they made the decisions they did. What are the pros and cons for joining the EU for your country? __Pros__ <span style="color: #009900; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Secures peace <span style="color: #009900; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Because of the EU, Belgium now has more allies <span style="color: #009900; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   All of the new organizations within the country created new jobs <span style="color: #009900; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Improved safety, healthcare, education, and jobs __ Cons  __ <span style="color: #009900; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Belgium people have to go along with other countries votes <span style="color: #009900; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Belgium has to help other countries deal with their problems <span style="color: #009900; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Because of the attraction to Belgium, some increased population issues have occurred <span style="color: #009900; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Harder for Belgium to come up with solutions to problems that everyone will agree on     How does the EU benefit your country, whether they are a member or not? <span style="color: #ff0066; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Command center for many EU organizations which has caused more business and attention towards the country <span style="color: #ff0066; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Increased foreign trade which made money for Belgium <span style="color: #ff0066; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Since Belgium is a small country, it’s membership in the EU allows Belgium to voice it’s concerns and be heard <span style="color: #ff0066; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Being part of the EU increases Belgium’s ability to influence others <span style="color: #ff0066; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Having a common currency, the euro, is helpful for trade and economic growth <span style="color: #ff0066; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Allows people to move in and out of Belgium easily <span style="color: #ff0066; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Provides common laws for Belgium and other countries <span style="color: #ff0066; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"> ·   Increases tourism in Belgium because the EU allows people to move freely throughout EU countries

Pictures: http://www.youreuropemap.com/european_union_map_2008.gif http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/EGKS.png/452px-EGKS.png

Resources: http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_2/index_en.htm http://culture.polishsite.us/articles/art60fr.htm http://actrav.itcilo.org/actrav-english/telearn/global/ilo/blokit/eu.htm http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_1/index_en.htm http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_5/index_en.htm http://europa.eu/abc/12lessons/lesson_9/index_en.htm http://www.diplomatie.be/en/belgium/belgiumdetail.asp?TEXTID=1730 http://www.belgium.be/en/about_belgium/belgium_internationally/belgium_in_world/ Grolier International Encyclopedia. Vol. B3, Belgium. Connecticut: Grolier Incorperated, 1992. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/be.html