Member States of the European Union

The European Union (EU) is a unique supranational political and economic union composed of 27 member states predominantly located in Europe. These member states are parties to the EU's founding treaties and are, therefore, subject to the rights and obligations of membership. As members, they have agreed to share their sovereignty through the EU's institutions in specific aspects of governance, a process sometimes referred to as the "pooling of sovereignty."

Founding and Principle of Subsidiarity

The EU's legal order, established by its founding treaties, is legally binding and holds supremacy over the laws of its member states. A landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in 1964 affirmed this principle. A core principle of the EU is subsidiarity, which dictates that decisions should be made collectively at the EU level only if they cannot be effectively implemented individually by the member states.

Governance and Representation

Each member state appoints a European Commissioner to the European Commission, which plays a crucial role in the EU’s executive branch. The national parliaments of the EU member states have specific responsibilities and work in conjunction with the European Parliament to ensure democratic representation in the decision-making processes of the EU.

Enlargement and Membership Changes

The EU has expanded multiple times through the accession of new member states. This process is known as EU enlargement and is guided by the Copenhagen criteria, which require prospective member states to have a stable institutional framework, a functioning market economy, and the acceptance of EU laws and values. Although no member state has withdrawn from the EU, there have been instances where dependent territories or semi-autonomous areas have left the union.

Neutral Member States

Within the EU, some member states maintain a stance of military neutrality. These states participate fully in the EU's institutions and processes but have chosen not to join NATO or similar military alliances. Their neutral status is recognized and respected within the EU framework, allowing them to maintain their military non-alignment while benefiting from EU membership.

Special Territories

The EU also encompasses special territories that are subject to varying degrees of EU law and participation. These territories include regions and dependencies of member states that, due to geographical, historical, or political reasons, have a unique relationship with the EU. Some territories are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and participate in the European single market, while others are excluded from certain aspects of EU policy.

Related Topics

• European Passport
• European Economic Area (EEA)
• Cyprus Dispute
• Eurostat

This intricate network of member states and territories, governed by shared principles and laws, makes the European Union a distinctive entity on the global stage, blending national identities with collaborative governance.