Ukraine+-+bhfa16

UKRAINE'S FLAG **​** EU'S FLAG **AND THE EUROPEAN UNION**

The European Union was created for many different reasons. One of which is peace, and happiness. Free-trade is another reason. A third is Economic cooperation. All of these go into one main reason; to make life easier. After World War II the idea of a 'European Community' was started for peace and economic cooperation. In1957 the European Economic Community (EEC) was formed. The first European Parliament elections took place and the Single European Currency Unit was introduced (later became the Euro) in 1979.In 1991 the EEC is renamed the European Union (EU). About 11 years later(2002) the Euro was introduced in 12 of the EU member states.  The EU has many purposes. One of which is to help with international issues. Another is to encourage trade among it's countries. Another purpose of the EU is to help with economic crisis. The EU benefits Europeans in many different ways. The euro is one. It is helpful when traveling between countries to use only one form of currency. Free travel and trade and cheaper phone calls are some other ways the EU benefits Europeans. All the countries of the EU work together against crime and terror.

The EU is seeking an increasingly close relationship with the Ukraine. The EU has become the Ukraine’s largest trading partner. On February 21, 2005 a joint EU-Ukraine Action Plan was endorsed by the EU-Ukraine Cooperation Council . 

The EU has never offered a membership to the Ukraine for many reasons. One reason is the EU is afraid of making Russia mad because the Ukraine just broke away from the Soviet Union. The Ukraine has become the location of a strategic battle between Russia and the EU over the country’s future as an Eastern or Western facing country. Amothr reason that the Ukraine has not been asked to join the EU is that the EU does not think that the Ukraine has a stable economy. Also,  the Ukraine just recently became interested in joining the EU. 

The EU makes other European countries peaceful and strong so that makes Europe more peaceful and powerful. 

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