Member states of the European Union

: (Photo: EUobserver.com)

Member states of the European Union

Since 1 July 2013, the EU consists of 28 member states.

The EU has to respect the national identities of its members. The member states must respect the EU's decisions and are bound by a principle of loyalty. Conflicts between the EU and its member states are settled by the Union's authorities - among these the EU Court.

The Lisbon Treaty allow member states to withdraw from the EU with two years' notice. New member states may be introduced by unanimity among the existing member states and approval by the European Parliament.

Here yoy can see when the EU was enlarged:

West Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg

1952

Denmark, Ireland and the UK

1973

Greece

1981

Spain and Portugal

1986

Austria, Finland and Sweden

1995

Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia

2004

Romania and Bulgaria

2007

Croatia

2013

Links

See also Applicant countries.

Links to the governmental websites of the Member States:

Austria: http://www.austria.gv.at
Belgium: http://www.belgium.fgov.be
Bulgaria: http://www.government.bg/fce/index.shtml?s=001&p=0023
Croatia: http://www.vlada.hr
Cyprus: http://www.cyprus.gov.cy/
Czech Republic: http://www.czech.cz/
Denmark: http://www.stm.dk
Estonia: http://www.riik.ee/et/
Finland: http://www.valtioneuvosto.fi
France: http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr
Germany: http://www.bundesregierung.de
Greece: http://www.government.gr
Hungary: http://www.magyarorszag.hu/english
Ireland: http://www.irlgov.ie
Italy: http://palazzochigi.it
Latvia: http://www.am.gov.lv/lv/
Lithuania: http://www.lrv.lt/
Luxemburg: http://www.gouvernement.lu
Malta: http://www.gov.mt/
Netherlands: http://www.regering.nl
Poland: http://www.kprm.gov.pl/
Portugal: http://www.portugal.gov.pt
Romania: http://www.guv.ro/
Slovenia: http://www.gov.si/
Slovakia: http://www.government.gov.sk/9......-slovak-republic.php?menu=1290
Spain: http://www.la-moncloa.es
Sweden: http://www.regeringen.se
United Kingdom: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm

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