The+Netherlands+Jhfa

The Netherlands, John's Page **Is your country a member of the EU?** Yes the Netherlans is a member of the EU, it was one of the six original founding members. **What are the pros and cons of joining the EU for your country?** media type="custom" key="3086772" http://cosasdiversas.com/galpics/znetherl.gif http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/eu_members/netherlands/index_en.htm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3954327.stm http://www.minbuza.nl/en/europeancooperation/Netherlands**
 * If it is, how and when did it become a member?**
 * The Netherlands was one of the original six founding members of the European Steel and Coal community which eventually evolved into the EU.
 * This occured in 1951 when the Netherlands and the five other nations created the European Steel and Coal Community.
 * The Netherlands became a true official part of the now, EU, when it was created in 1993.
 * One of the Netherlands most known benifits of being part of the EU is that since it is so small, it is very vulnrable to invasion, thus the European Union provides the country with protection.
 * The Netherlands have a huge importing and exporting economey that has greatly benifited with the creation of the EU.
 * Since all countries within the EU have a common trade policy, the Netherlands are able to export large amounts of goods to other EU members.
 * Infact, the Netherlands exports three fourths of its goods to the other members of the EU.
 * One additional benifit is that the Netherlands now uses the Euro thus making trading and buisness with other countries much easier.
 * One of the cons of joining the EU for the Netherlands is the fear of cultural diffusion if the EU unites any more and thus their culture will be engulfed.
 * It is much harder now for the Netherlands to make decisions for itself since its size compared to the majority of the EU membering countries.
 * How does the EU benifit your country, whether they are a member or not? **
 * The EU has caused trade between the Netherlands and other countries much more effecient since the common trade policy.
 * The Netherlands is able to export much more agricultural and manufacturing goods much more easily now making it the seacond biggest exporter of agricultural in the EU after France.
 * The Euro has also helped the Netherlands in their trade industry (which is the main part of their economy) when making prices with other countries.
 * The EU provides strong protection and security for the Netherlands since its size and vulnrability.
 * The Netherlands are now one of the most prospurous countries on the continent of Europe.
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