Switserland-tdfa16



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Why was the European Union created?
 * To make traveling easier
 * it pays taxes
 * it provides money for the old and homeless
 * it makes it so they have enough money to pay money for weapons for their soldiers

Give a brief history of the EU.
 * 1946 - Winston Churchill gives a speech seeking a "kind of United States of Europe".
 * 1950 - European coal and steel community begins process of uniting economy and politics of Europe to promote peace.
 * 1957 - The "Treaty of Rome" establishes a common market.
 * 1986 - Single European Act eliminates internal borders to enable a single market.
 * 2002 - Euro was adopted (common currency).

What is the purpose of the EU?
 * It increases the income of employees.
 * To create peace, prosperity and freedom for its citizens.
 * It makes it easier to travel which means you don't have to take a passport everywhere.
 * Strength in unity.

How does the EU benefit Europeans?
 * Citizens can travel without a passport or border checks.
 * A single currency makes travel and shopping easier.
 * Greater competition between companies results in better quality products for better prices.
 * Peace between EU countries is the main benefit.

Give a history of your country’s involvement in the EU.
 * Some of the history is how they did not believe in the EU.
 * They do not want to be in the EU because they always remain neutral.
 * They have lower taxes so a lot of great businesses moved there so they could pay less taxes.
 * They never get involved in war so no one attacks them.

Why or why isn’t your country a member of the EU?
 * The Swiss believe the EU would undermine their direct democracy.
 * The Swiss system of direct democracy would have to be totally transformed to meet EU requirements.
 * In Switzerland world trade is already a large part of their economy and not sure EU membership would be sufficiently beneficial.
 * Switzerland's neutrality might not be compatible with EU membership.

How does the EU benefit your country?
 * Switzerland is not a member and does not at this time consider membership to be to their advantage.
 * Switzerland participates in open borders.
 * An increasing number of companies move to Switzerland because it has more friendly taxes than EU countries.
 * Many of the Europe's rich and famous have moved to Switzerland for the same reason.

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