Switzerland+-SP

= =  **Why was the European Union formed?** The European Union (also known as the EU) was created because the countries believed that it would end the frequent, bloody wars. The beginning year was 1957. It was created to peacefully trade within European countries .The EU historical ‘happenings’ occur during World War Two. Some people believe that this was good to create this because no country could have advanced equipment during war time. The EU was meaning for the countries to make joint decisions. Some people had the idea of creating the United States of Europe. They wanted this because Europe was ranked the second highest economy under the US. Nowadays the European Union is a great success.

Give a through history of the European Union
Many challenges and ideas of integration lead to the establishment of the European Union. People had the idea of creating the United States of Europe. A few people had proposed the idea of integrating coal and steel which happened in 1950. When people decided to trade steel and coal, the idea of removing trade barriers begun started in 1957. During that same time some of the countries signed Treaties of Rome which had integrated the economy. In 1967 parliaments and other institutions were formed. The European Union was then founded in 1992 when the Maastricht Treaty of European Union was signed. The first six countries of the EU were Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. More countries are now wanted to join. = What is the purpose of the EU? = The EU was made to allow trade flow freely without tax barriers,in European countries. These countries have many tourists and recourses. It also was meant to stop all or most of the wars/ disputes between countries. The EU had meant to integrate economic systems. It was also make to be a place of freedom and security. Creating a good economy and to stable the way of life was also a purpose. Europe wanted to promote their way of life, high employment and economic ways too. The EU wanted to control the amount of immigrants that came into each of the countries. The countries leaders wanted to be able to connect the countries together, better then they were.

= How does the EU benefit Europeans? = The EU had helped the countries to politically and economically hold peace for as long as it can. It gave countries the ability to have many different uses of daily life because they could import and export freely. The European countries had become closer than they had been the previous years. The Europeans are allowed to go to any country in the EU, which is much easier that getting different passports. This is also easier for the tourists; more of them come to the countries so more Europeans have job opportunities. The leaders also increase to safety in there country. These are some reasons why the EU is a benefit.

=SWITZERLAND  = = Is your country a member of the EU? = ==    The countries that are a part of the European Union are, Austria ,Belgium ,Bulgaria ,Cyprus ,Czech Republic ,Denmark ,Estonia ,Finland ,France ,Germany ,Greece ,Hungary ,Ireland ,Italy ,Latvia ,Lithuania ,Luxembourg ,Malta == ==Netherlands ,Poland ,Portugal ,Romania ,Slovakia ,Slovenia ,Spain ,Sweden and the United Kingdom .Switzerland is not apart == == of the EU, nor is it expected to join. The EU has been pressuring Switzerland to change their tax system. The change is so immense == == they can not become part of the EU. The reason they have to change their tax system is because it isn’t they same as the other countries. ==

= What are the pros and cons of joining the EU for your country? = There are many different pros and cons for deciding if Switzerland were to join the European Union. The pros are more people can experience the beauty of the Swiss Alps. It would bring many more tourists from around the world into Switzerland. This would provide more job opportunities. It could bring more money and other recourses that are helpful in daily life to Switzerland. Joining the EU could bring some people into the country, to stay, so the population could grow. Some of the Cons of joining the EU are that Switzerland would have to make a great and hard change to use the same currency and other ways to be in the EU. Sixty percent of Switzerland’s exports already go to the EU countries, so they would be loosing some of there money. Switzerland is the main trading partner with the EU. Switzerland might loose their different and unique ways like their freedom. Switzerland is wanted to join the EU because has the same policy’s and many recourses; this can be a pro and con. = If it is not, why isn’t it a member? = Switzerland is a main trading power for the EU; they get 80 percent of the EU’s exports and the import 60 percent of their goods to the EU. This is how they could loose money; the tax barriers are broken during this time. Switzerland has a different tax system than the countries in the EU. Another factor is that in December 1992 the people took a vote to join the EU. The numbers were very close, 50.3% said no and 49.7% said yes.

How does the EU benefit your country, whether they are a member or not?
Switzerland is not a part of the EU but still benefit from each other. The EU is the main trading partner for Switzerland so they get a lot of the imports that they need. Some of Switzerland’s exports are Chocolate, Cheese and Wine. Many people that live in Switzerland are apart of the EU. It brings many tourists and people to live in Switzerland. Most of the surrounding countries are part of the EU so it is and easy place to tour but they would have to get a different passport that might allow theme to go to other countries that are not apart of the EU. Some people believe that Switzerland should say no to join the EU and stay neutral like they are. People also believe that Switzerland is so close to becoming democracy powered that if they join, it might bring their economy down. This is how the EU wouldn’t benefit Switzerland. This is why Switzerland and the EU can benefit each other, but sometimes don’t.

http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/topics/eu/eu.html http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2007/01/25/switzerland-provides-refuge-for-victims-of-fiscal-oppression/ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sz.html http://forums.invisionpower.com/lofiversion/index.php/t174442.html Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life, Volume 4 Europe
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