Identity

After over 50 years in existence, the European Union has expanded from 6 to 27 Member States and is destined to grow further, with Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Turkey, Iceland and Montenegro already lined up as would-be members.

The EU’s 500 million citizens share several common symbols, like the European flag (a circle of 12 yellow stars on a dark blue background), the European hymn (Beethoven’s Ode to Joy), and Europe Day. Europe Day is celebrated on 9 May, commemorating the date of Robert Schuman’s speech in 1950 calling for a European organisation which prompted the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).

Undoubtedly, the single most significant impact of the European Union on the daily lives of (most of) its citizens so far has been the launch of the euro, which enables people to travel within the EU without losing money by having to pay exchange rates. The European Union has also given its citizens more rights, namely:

• The right to circulate, stay, work and study freely anywhere within the EU (Schengen area = moving around without a passport);
  
• the right to vote and elect representatives in local and European elections in their state of residence;
  
• the right to submit a petition to the European Parliament or lodge a complaint with the European Ombudsman;
  
• the right to diplomatic protection, with nationals of EU Member States benefiting from the protection of other Member States when outside the European Union.