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LAW PUNDIT Thursday, April 15, 2004 4/15/2004 09:55:00 PM [Home]
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The Euro - Currency in Europe and in the European Union Member States as of May 1, 2004 - Map
Update: Please note that the European Union was expanded to 27 States on January 1, 2007 as Romania and Bulgaria joined the ranks of Member States.
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The Euro - Currency in Europe and in the European Union Member States as of May 1, 2004 - Map
Status of the Euro and other Currencies in Europe
On May 1, 2004, ten (10) additional countries will become New Member States of the European Union (EU).
The map below shows the status of the Euro in Europe as of that date.
The Previous 15 EU Member States
12 of 15 of the previous European Union Member States (prior to the ten additions on May 1, 2004) have adopted the Euro as their currency (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, Austria, and Greece), with the exceptions being the United Kingdom (which still uses the Pound), Sweden (Swedish Krona) and Denmark (Danish Kroner).
The Euro in Montenegro
Outside of the European Union, the Euro is legal tender in Montenegro - but, as a part of the loose federation of the commonwealth of Serbia and Montenegro (former Yugoslavia), it is legal tender in Montenegro only. Serbia itself uses the New Dinar as its currency.
The 10 New EU Member States
None of the new European Member States will automatically be able to adopt the Euro as their currency on May 1, 2004. Quite the contrary, they must first join the Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II) and within the first two years of EU membership, their currency can fluctuate only 15 percent either side of the benchmark valuation set as a float against the Euro. In addition, these new EU Member States must also meet the Maastricht criteria on budgets, debt, inflation, and long-term interest rates. Only then - at the earliest in two years - will any new Member State be in a position to qualify for adoption of the Euro as its currency.
The currencies of the ten ascendant European Union Member States are as follows:
Estonia - Kroon, Latvia - Lats, Lithuanian - Litas, Poland - Zloty, Czech Republic - Koruna, Slovakia - Koruna, Hungary - Forint, Slovenia - Tolar, Malta - Lira, and Cyprus - Pound. It will be interesting to see the development of these currencies over the next two years.
The Non-EU European States
The currencies of the remaining European countries which are not European Union Member States are: Norway (Norwegian Kroner), Switzerland (Swiss Francs), Russia (Russian Rubles), Belarus (Belarus Rubles), Ukraine (Hryvna - also spelled Hrivna), Romania (Leu), Moldova (Leu), Bulgaria (Lev), Turkey (Lira), Albania (Lek), Macedonia (Denar), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Marka), Croatia (Kuna), Serbia (New Dinar) and Montenegro (Euro).
For more information on the Euro, see
the European Union website
the European Central Bank Euro website (ECB)
Xenon Laboratories
and the copious links at Lehman Social Sciences Library
with additional superb links to articles dealing with legal aspects of the Euro and the European Union.
Permalink : Andis Kaulins : 4/15/2004 09:55:00 PM
The Euro - Currency in Europe and in the European Union Member States as of May 1, 2004 - Map
Update: Please note that the European Union was expanded to 27 States on January 1, 2007 as Romania and Bulgaria joined the ranks of Member States.
__________________________________________
The Euro - Currency in Europe and in the European Union Member States as of May 1, 2004 - Map
Status of the Euro and other Currencies in Europe
On May 1, 2004, ten (10) additional countries will become New Member States of the European Union (EU).
The map below shows the status of the Euro in Europe as of that date.
The Previous 15 EU Member States
12 of 15 of the previous European Union Member States (prior to the ten additions on May 1, 2004) have adopted the Euro as their currency (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, Austria, and Greece), with the exceptions being the United Kingdom (which still uses the Pound), Sweden (Swedish Krona) and Denmark (Danish Kroner).
The Euro in Montenegro
Outside of the European Union, the Euro is legal tender in Montenegro - but, as a part of the loose federation of the commonwealth of Serbia and Montenegro (former Yugoslavia), it is legal tender in Montenegro only. Serbia itself uses the New Dinar as its currency.
The 10 New EU Member States
None of the new European Member States will automatically be able to adopt the Euro as their currency on May 1, 2004. Quite the contrary, they must first join the Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II) and within the first two years of EU membership, their currency can fluctuate only 15 percent either side of the benchmark valuation set as a float against the Euro. In addition, these new EU Member States must also meet the Maastricht criteria on budgets, debt, inflation, and long-term interest rates. Only then - at the earliest in two years - will any new Member State be in a position to qualify for adoption of the Euro as its currency.
The currencies of the ten ascendant European Union Member States are as follows:
Estonia - Kroon, Latvia - Lats, Lithuanian - Litas, Poland - Zloty, Czech Republic - Koruna, Slovakia - Koruna, Hungary - Forint, Slovenia - Tolar, Malta - Lira, and Cyprus - Pound. It will be interesting to see the development of these currencies over the next two years.
The Non-EU European States
The currencies of the remaining European countries which are not European Union Member States are: Norway (Norwegian Kroner), Switzerland (Swiss Francs), Russia (Russian Rubles), Belarus (Belarus Rubles), Ukraine (Hryvna - also spelled Hrivna), Romania (Leu), Moldova (Leu), Bulgaria (Lev), Turkey (Lira), Albania (Lek), Macedonia (Denar), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Marka), Croatia (Kuna), Serbia (New Dinar) and Montenegro (Euro).
For more information on the Euro, see
the European Union website
the European Central Bank Euro website (ECB)
Xenon Laboratories
and the copious links at Lehman Social Sciences Library
with additional superb links to articles dealing with legal aspects of the Euro and the European Union.
Permalink : Andis Kaulins : 4/15/2004 09:55:00 PM
LAW PUNDIT Sunday, April 04, 2004 4/04/2004 01:22:00 PM [Home]
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NATO Expansion to 26 Member States - Map
NATO Expansion to 26 Member States - Map
NATO ADDS SEVEN NEW MEMBERS as of April 2, 2004
On April 2, 2004, seven (7) additional countries joined the previous nineteen member States of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) as new member states, thus raising the number of NATO members from 19 to 26.
As seen on the map above prepared for this purpose, these seven new NATO members starting in the north and moving southward are:
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Romania
Bulgaria
NATO and the European Union (EU) Compared
It is of interest to note that the States of the European Union (including those being added on May 1, 2004) and the Members of NATO do not overlap entirely, although there is a declaration of partnership between the EU and NATO.
Iceland is not a member of the European Union but is a member of NATO.
Ireland is a member of the European Union but is not a member of NATO.
Norway is a member of NATO but not a member of the European Union.
Sweden is a member of the European Union but not of NATO.
Finland is a member of the European Union but not of NATO.
Austria is a member of the European Union but not of NATO.
Turkey is a member of NATO but not of the European Union.
Romania is a member of NATO but not of the European Union.
Bulgaria is a member of NATO but not of the European Union.
Malta and the Greek part of Cyprus will join the European Union on May 1, 2004, but are not members of NATO.
The discrepancies are an interesting study in the divergence of political, legal, economic, military and defense interests.
Update: Please note that the European Union was expanded to 27 States on January 1, 2007 as Romania and Bulgaria joined the ranks of Member States.
Permalink : Andis Kaulins : 4/04/2004 01:22:00 PM
NATO Expansion to 26 Member States - Map
NATO Expansion to 26 Member States - Map
NATO ADDS SEVEN NEW MEMBERS as of April 2, 2004
On April 2, 2004, seven (7) additional countries joined the previous nineteen member States of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) as new member states, thus raising the number of NATO members from 19 to 26.
As seen on the map above prepared for this purpose, these seven new NATO members starting in the north and moving southward are:
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Romania
Bulgaria
NATO and the European Union (EU) Compared
It is of interest to note that the States of the European Union (including those being added on May 1, 2004) and the Members of NATO do not overlap entirely, although there is a declaration of partnership between the EU and NATO.
Iceland is not a member of the European Union but is a member of NATO.
Ireland is a member of the European Union but is not a member of NATO.
Norway is a member of NATO but not a member of the European Union.
Sweden is a member of the European Union but not of NATO.
Finland is a member of the European Union but not of NATO.
Austria is a member of the European Union but not of NATO.
Turkey is a member of NATO but not of the European Union.
Romania is a member of NATO but not of the European Union.
Bulgaria is a member of NATO but not of the European Union.
Malta and the Greek part of Cyprus will join the European Union on May 1, 2004, but are not members of NATO.
The discrepancies are an interesting study in the divergence of political, legal, economic, military and defense interests.
Update: Please note that the European Union was expanded to 27 States on January 1, 2007 as Romania and Bulgaria joined the ranks of Member States.
Permalink : Andis Kaulins : 4/04/2004 01:22:00 PM
LAW PUNDIT Thursday, April 01, 2004 4/01/2004 12:10:00 AM [Home]
[Print]
European Union Expansion to 25 Member States - Map
Update: Please note that the European Union was expanded to 27 States on January 1, 2007 as Romania and Bulgaria joined the ranks of Member States.
European Union Expansion to 25 Member States - Map (Reposted from December, January, February and March due to popular demand)
NEW EU MEMBERS as of May 1, 2004
On May 1, 2004, ten (10) additional countries will join the European Union as new member states, raising the number of EU Member States from 15 to 25.
This extremely important development for the world will change the taxation and legal systems of the new EU Member States, according to a report of May 1, 2003 of PriceWaterhouseCoopers which writes:
"The enlargement of the EU will fundamentally change the tax and legal systems of the ten accession countries requiring harmonisation to ensure they are in line with EU legislation and case law. Areas affected include: VAT, customs and excise duties, direct taxation, commercial law, consumer and competition law, social security and employment law, intellectual property, e-commerce, financial services, and data protection.
Peter Cussons, international corporate tax partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, said:
"The need for a large measure of tax and legal harmonisation is inevitable, the list of areas affected is huge, and the compliance clock is ticking.
"Companies with existing operations in the ten accession countries should be re-evaluating their operations now to enable them to implement necessary changes in time for the accession date of 1 May 2004. It should also be noted that these changes will have implications not just for companies which already operate within the accession countries, but also companies which plan to invest in or have or plan to have other business relations with those accession countries.
"I cannot emphasise enough that, with only 12 months remaining, businesses need to act now to ensure they are fully compliant with the new largely harmonised EU tax and legal environment."
As of April 1, 2004, there is now only 1 month left for these changes to be made.
The enlargement of the European Union will have further long-term political, economic and legal repercussions as ebusiness.com has stated:
"In the Treaty on European Union which came into force in 1993, Article 49 says that any European State which respects the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law may apply to become a member of the Union.
Further clarification was given by the European Council meeting in Copenhagen in 1993 which laid down the basic conditions for membership - the so-called "Copenhagen criteria" :
stable institutions guaranteeing democracy;
rule of law, respect for and protection of human rights and minorities;
existence of a functioning market economy;
capacity to cope with market forces and competitive pressures within the Union;
ability to take on the obligations of membership, including Economic and Monetary Union."
As seen on the map above prepared for this purpose, these ten new members starting in the north and moving southward are:
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Poland
the Czech Republic
Slovakia
Hungary
Slovenia
Malta
Cyprus
United States and European Union compared
The European Union has similarities but also differences to the United States.
Predecessor Organizations and Member States
The predecessor organizations of the European Union started with six (6) members.
These were Belgium, West Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Currently there are 15 so-called "member states" in the European Union including the original six member states (Germany after the reunification added the 5 East German Laender on October 3, 1990)
plus the following nine additional member states added as follows:
Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom joined in 1973. (numbers 7,8 and 9)
Greece joined in 1981 (number 10)
Spain and Portugal joined in 1986. (numbers 11 and 12)
Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined in 1995. (numbers 13, 14 and 15)
Norway signed an accession treaty in 1994, but Norwegian voters rejected membership in a referendum, so that Norway is NOT a member of the European Union.
The accession to the European Union affects the monetary systems of the new member nations and their currencies.
What about the EURO in the new member states?
As you can read at that link, in spite of membership in the EU, the adoption of the Euro in the new member states is conditional upon meeting certain monetary requirements.
The Maastricht Treaty and Other Treaties forming the EU
The Maastricht Treaty also known as
The Treaty on European Union
entered into force by ratification of the Member States on November 1, 1993.
See the milestones of the EU in a timeline of events for the European Union
See the factsheets for the European Union
Permalink : Andis Kaulins : 4/01/2004 12:10:00 AM
European Union Expansion to 25 Member States - Map
Update: Please note that the European Union was expanded to 27 States on January 1, 2007 as Romania and Bulgaria joined the ranks of Member States.
European Union Expansion to 25 Member States - Map (Reposted from December, January, February and March due to popular demand)
NEW EU MEMBERS as of May 1, 2004
On May 1, 2004, ten (10) additional countries will join the European Union as new member states, raising the number of EU Member States from 15 to 25.
This extremely important development for the world will change the taxation and legal systems of the new EU Member States, according to a report of May 1, 2003 of PriceWaterhouseCoopers which writes:
"The enlargement of the EU will fundamentally change the tax and legal systems of the ten accession countries requiring harmonisation to ensure they are in line with EU legislation and case law. Areas affected include: VAT, customs and excise duties, direct taxation, commercial law, consumer and competition law, social security and employment law, intellectual property, e-commerce, financial services, and data protection.
Peter Cussons, international corporate tax partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, said:
"The need for a large measure of tax and legal harmonisation is inevitable, the list of areas affected is huge, and the compliance clock is ticking.
"Companies with existing operations in the ten accession countries should be re-evaluating their operations now to enable them to implement necessary changes in time for the accession date of 1 May 2004. It should also be noted that these changes will have implications not just for companies which already operate within the accession countries, but also companies which plan to invest in or have or plan to have other business relations with those accession countries.
"I cannot emphasise enough that, with only 12 months remaining, businesses need to act now to ensure they are fully compliant with the new largely harmonised EU tax and legal environment."
As of April 1, 2004, there is now only 1 month left for these changes to be made.
The enlargement of the European Union will have further long-term political, economic and legal repercussions as ebusiness.com has stated:
"In the Treaty on European Union which came into force in 1993, Article 49 says that any European State which respects the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law may apply to become a member of the Union.
Further clarification was given by the European Council meeting in Copenhagen in 1993 which laid down the basic conditions for membership - the so-called "Copenhagen criteria" :
stable institutions guaranteeing democracy;
rule of law, respect for and protection of human rights and minorities;
existence of a functioning market economy;
capacity to cope with market forces and competitive pressures within the Union;
ability to take on the obligations of membership, including Economic and Monetary Union."
As seen on the map above prepared for this purpose, these ten new members starting in the north and moving southward are:
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Poland
the Czech Republic
Slovakia
Hungary
Slovenia
Malta
Cyprus
United States and European Union compared
The European Union has similarities but also differences to the United States.
Predecessor Organizations and Member States
The predecessor organizations of the European Union started with six (6) members.
These were Belgium, West Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
Currently there are 15 so-called "member states" in the European Union including the original six member states (Germany after the reunification added the 5 East German Laender on October 3, 1990)
plus the following nine additional member states added as follows:
Denmark, Ireland, United Kingdom joined in 1973. (numbers 7,8 and 9)
Greece joined in 1981 (number 10)
Spain and Portugal joined in 1986. (numbers 11 and 12)
Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined in 1995. (numbers 13, 14 and 15)
Norway signed an accession treaty in 1994, but Norwegian voters rejected membership in a referendum, so that Norway is NOT a member of the European Union.
The accession to the European Union affects the monetary systems of the new member nations and their currencies.
What about the EURO in the new member states?
As you can read at that link, in spite of membership in the EU, the adoption of the Euro in the new member states is conditional upon meeting certain monetary requirements.
The Maastricht Treaty and Other Treaties forming the EU
The Maastricht Treaty also known as
The Treaty on European Union
entered into force by ratification of the Member States on November 1, 1993.
See the milestones of the EU in a timeline of events for the European Union
See the factsheets for the European Union
Permalink : Andis Kaulins : 4/01/2004 12:10:00 AM
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