This treaty changed the way of life for all people living in the EU.
It pulled all member states closer by
replacing the currencies of EU countries with the Euro
(the UK, Sweeden and Denmark chose not to introduce the Euro)
introducing the same rights for all workers in every EU country
(The UK did not sign the Social Chapter of the treaty)
by cooperating on issues such as drugs, refugees,terrorists and crime
by cooperating on defence
6. Widening Vs Deepening Debate
At present there is debate within the EU whether its role should be widened or deepened
Widening - Admitting more members (probably from Eastern Europe)
Deepening - Increasing the powers of the EU within the existing membership
Arguments for Widening
would open up new markets for exports increasing demands for goods - would help businesses and create jobs
would ensure peace across Europe and prevent East/West conflicts)
Arguments against Widening
could lead to increased migration from poorer countries - many would move to wealthier countries in search of jobs and a better standard of living
businesses might be attracted by low costs in East Europe countries (ie lower wages = bigger profits) This could lead to closure of factories in the West.
Arguments for Deepening
would provide closer unity among member countries
would help to create a "United Europe" where all member countries have closer links
7. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
NATO was formed in 1949 to prevent the spread of communism from Eastern Europe into Western Europe. NATO originally had just 5 member states and has grown to 19 - Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States. NATO is a collective security organisation. Its central idea is stated in Article 5: "An attack on one member is an attack on all." Although Russia is not a member of NATO it has agreed to have closer links with the organisation.
8. Arguments for retaining NATO
NATO has been successful in keeping peace in Europe for last 50 years (containing any conflict which may arise)
Although communism is no longer perceived to be a threat the 15 republics formed from the breakup of the former USSR are perceived to be unstable
Although the West of the USSR has agreed to dismantle nuclear warheads it could be argued NATO is still required as a deterrent -Ukraine has many missile sites inherited from former USSR
NATO is needed to protect Europe from terrorism
Reducing number of troops and weapons will damage the economy