What are some benefits of being a member state of the European Union?

[Alexandru Mihai]

Membership of the Single Market:
The Single Market of the EU has meant that companies going about their
business in EU member states have been forced to lower the prices of
their products to become more competitive.

The single market benefits companies by making it easier & cheaper to
do business in other EU countries. No customs tax is charged on goods
that are sold or transported between member states. The EU also tries
to make each market as similar as possible to ensure fair competition
across national borders.

Free Movement of Citizens:
European citizens have the freedom to live, work, study, and travel in
any other EU country. Since 1995 alone, about 100,000 young Britons
have spent time studying in another European country.

More Jobs:
It is estimated the 3.5 million British jobs are dependent on
Britain's membership of the EU. (Source: UK Jobs Dependent on the EU,
Brian Ardy, Iain Begg and Dermot Hodson, European Institute, South
Bank University)

Money for Development:
The EU is working to develop ?deprived? regions of Europe. Such areas
might for example have high numbers of people unemployed, or be rural
areas without many facilities, like good roads. This development is
carried out using 'European Structural Funds'.

The UK has been allocated a total of ?15.5billion (?10bn) of European
Structural Funds for 2000 - 2006. Over the same period, the UK has
also been allocated ?120 million (?80m) for Fisheries Guidance and
?961 million (?595m) for Community Initiatives.

A Louder International Voice:
By working together in the EU member countries can ensure their
concerns are heard, and taken more seriously, on the international
stage. When the EU speaks it represents about 400 million people
(this will be 500m after enlargement). This is more than the combined
population of the United States & Russia. Margaret Thatcher has said:
?On our own, as a nation of 55 million, we would have some voice, but
not enough."

Greater Protection for Workers:
The European Working Time Directive is an EU initiative designed to
protect workers from exploitation by employers.

The directive lays down regulations on matters such as how many breaks
an employee can take, and how many holidays they are entitled to each
year. It also aims to limit the average time an employee can be
compelled to work to 48 hours a week.

Greater Equality and Social Inclusion:
The EU has done a lot of work to raise the standard of equality for
its citizens. Through EU directives citizens are protected from
employment discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation,
religion or belief, disability and age.

Protection of the Environment:
The Environment knows no border and so the only effective way to
tackle environmental pollution is through international co-operation
and action. Britain has cleaner water, cleaner air and cleaner
beaches because of action at the EU level

Greater Co-operation in Law Enforcement:
EU co-operation is helping to crack down on terrorism, drug
trafficking and organised crime.