European Union: Difference between revisions

* [[Malta]] - tiny island state that was a British colony from 1814 to 1964. The local language is actually a Semitic language--specificallylanguage—specifically, a derivative of colloquial Tunisian Arabic. However, nobody considers Malta an Arab country: Malta is Catholic and has long been under Italian influence (to the degree that the language has about as many Italian words as Arabic ones--kindaones—kinda like how English is Germanic but has a mostly-French vocabulary). Has the George Cross on its flag, having been given it in 1942 for holding out against a Nazi siege.

* [[Britain]] - properly, the United Kingdom -- seeKingdom—see [[British Political System]]. Joined in 1972. They wanted to join earlier, but France (specifically Charles de Gaulle) put the kibosh on that, one excuse being that Britain wasn't a part of Europe. [[French Jerk|Twice]]. Known for being [[Heterosexual Life Partners]] with America and its former colonies (including a couple of minor wars they both fought in) and [[A Spot of Tea|tea]]. Has quite easily the most [[With Europe but Not of It|antagonistic relationship]] with the Union.

A number of other countries are interested in joining, most notably Turkey. Others include Iceland, Croatia, Serbia, Albania, Macedonia and Ukraine. Croatia is the next state likely to join.<ref>in fact, they are slated to join in 2013 if every national parliament agrees. Yup, EU matters are surprisingly similar to [[The Lord of the Rings|Ent]] meetings.</ref>.

The EU today is essentially a free trade and movement area (with a lot of common standards, including electricity at 230 V plus or minus 10%, although this isn't really a variation from previous standards used and old toasters still work), but also covers a considerable number of other areas, such as social policy, the environment and increasingly foreign affairs. The mantra is "free movement of people, goods, captial and services". You can emigrate and work freely within the Union (as well as vote in local and European elections wherever you live)- between certain countries, you don't even need a national ID. This group of countries are the "Schengen Countries" you might see referred to in airports -- althoughairports—although it's worth noting that this is not specifically an EU thing, and some countries, notably Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, are in the Schengen area but not the EU; and vice-versa, Britain and Ireland are not.<ref>Ireland want to be in it, but to do so would mean that the British would either have to join -- which they'll never do -- or create a physical border -- which neither want to do</ref>

=== Media examples: ===

* The Advanced [[European Union]] is one of three major supranational unions which dominate the political scene in ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 00]]''.