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A8 Countries
The largest enlargement of the European Union (EU), in terms of number of states and population, took place on 1 May 2004. The simultaneous accessions concerned the following countries (sometimes referred to as the "A10" countries): Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Seven of these were part of the former Eastern Bloc (of which three were from the former Soviet Union and four were and still are member states of the Central European alliance Visegrád Group). Slovenia was a non-aligned country prior to independence, and it was one of the former republics of Yugoslavia (together sometimes referred to as the "A8" countries), and the remaining two were Mediterranean island countries, both member states of the Commonwealth of Nations. Part of the same wave of enlargement was the accession of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007, who were unable to join in 2004, but, according to the European Commission, constitute part ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
EU25-2004 European Union Map Enlargement
The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are Geography of the European Union, located primarily in Europe. The union has a total area of and an estimated population of over 449million as of 2024. The EU is often described as a ''sui generis'' political entity combining characteristics of both a federation and a confederation. Containing 5.5% of the world population in 2023, EU member states generated a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of around €17.935 trillion in 2024, accounting for approximately one sixth of global economic output. Its cornerstone, the European Union Customs Union, Customs Union, paved the way to establishing European Single Market, an internal single market based on standardised European Union law, legal framework and legislation that applies in all member states in those matters, and only those matters, where the states ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Commonwealth Of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, often referred to as the British Commonwealth or simply the Commonwealth, is an International organization, international association of member states of the Commonwealth of Nations, 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territorial evolution of the British Empire, territories of the British Empire from which it developed. They are connected through their English in the Commonwealth of Nations, use of the English language and cultural and historical ties. The chief institutions of the organisation are the Commonwealth Secretariat, which focuses on intergovernmental relations, and the Commonwealth Foundation, which focuses on non-governmental relations between member nations. Numerous List of Commonwealth organisations, organisations are associated with and operate within the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth dates back to the first half of the 20th century with the decolonisation of the British Empire through increased self-governance ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Western Bloc
The Western Bloc, also known as the Capitalist Bloc, the Freedom Bloc, the Free Bloc, and the American Bloc, was an unofficial coalition of countries that were officially allied with the United States during the Cold War (1947–1991). While the NATO member states, in Western Europe and Northern America, were pivotal to the bloc, it included many other countries, in the broader Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa with histories of anti-Soviet, anti-communist and, in some cases anti-socialist, ideologies and policies. As such, the bloc was opposed to the political systems and foreign policies of communist countries, which were centered on the Soviet Union, other members of the Warsaw Pact, and usually the People's Republic of China. The name "Western Bloc" emerged in response to and as the antithesis of its communist counterpart, the Eastern Bloc. Throughout the Cold War, the governments and the Western media were more inclined to refer to themse ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the world's countries participated, with many nations mobilising all resources in pursuit of total war. Tanks in World War II, Tanks and Air warfare of World War II, aircraft played major roles, enabling the strategic bombing of cities and delivery of the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, first and only nuclear weapons ever used in war. World War II is the List of wars by death toll, deadliest conflict in history, causing World War II casualties, the death of 70 to 85 million people, more than half of whom were civilians. Millions died in genocides, including the Holocaust, and by massacres, starvation, and disease. After the Allied victory, Allied-occupied Germany, Germany, Allied-occupied Austria, Austria, Occupation of Japan, Japan, a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2003 Slovenian European Union And NATO Membership Referendum
A referendum on membership of the European Union and NATO was held in Slovenia Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia, is a country in Central Europe. It borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast, Croatia to the south and southeast, and a short (46.6 km) coastline within the Adriati ... on 23 March 2003. Voters were asked two questions; #Do you agree to the proposal that the Republic of Slovenia should become a member of the European Union? #Do you agree to the proposal that the Republic of Slovenia should become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)? Both questions received a majority in favor, with 89.61% voting for EU membership and 66.02% for NATO membership. Voter turnout was 60.23%. ''IFES'' Results Question 1 Question 2 ...
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2003 Slovak European Union Membership Referendum ...
A referendum on joining the European Union was held in Slovakia on 16 and 17 May 2003. Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) ''Elections in Europe: A data handbook'', p1747 It was approved by 93.7% of those voting, and Slovakia subsequently joined the EU on 1 May 2004. It remains the only referendum in the country's history to have not failed due to insufficient voter turnout. Results References {{Slovak elections Slovakia Referendums in Slovakia Referendums related to European Union accession European 2003 in international relations Slovakia Slovakia and the European Union Slovakia Slovakia, officially the Slovak Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, and the Czech Republic to the northwest. Slovakia's m ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2003 Polish European Union Membership Referendum
A referendum on joining the European Union was held in Poland on 7 and 8 June 2003.Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) ''Elections in Europe: A data handbook'', p1491 The proposal was approved by 77% of voters. Poland subsequently accession of Poland to the European Union, joined the European Union that year following the ratification of the Treaty of Accession 2003. The country's first 2004 European Parliament election in Poland, European Parliament elections were held in 2004. Question Party positions The governing Democratic Left Alliance (Poland), Democratic Left Alliance and its junior coalition partner, the Labour Union (Poland), Labour Union, strongly campaigned for joining the EU. The biggest opposition party, the Civic Platform, was also strongly supportive of joining the EU. The agrarian Polish People's Party gave its support to the "Yes" campaign after its demands for the government were met in regards to farmers. The conservative Law and Justice (Poland), Law and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2003 Maltese European Union Membership Referendum
A referendum on European Union membership was held in Malta on 8 March 2003.Dieter Nohlen, Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) ''Elections in Europe: A data handbook'', p1302 The result was 54% in favour. The subsequent 2003 Maltese general election, April 2003 general elections were won by the Nationalist Party (Malta), Nationalist Party, which was in favour of EU membership, the opposition Labour Party (Malta), Labour Party having opposed joining. Malta joined the EU on 1 May 2004. The referendum saw the highest turnout in an EU membership referendum (91%) and the lowest support for joining of any of the nine countries that held referendums on joining the EU in 2003. Background Malta's first relations with the European Economic Community (EEC) saw the signing of an Association Agreement in December 1970. This agreement called for the creation of a customs union based on free trade between Malta and the Bloc. Malta submitted a formal application to join the European Community in Jul ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2003 Lithuanian European Union Membership Referendum
The 2003 Lithuanian European Union referendum took place from 10 May to 11 May 2003 to decide whether Lithuania should join the European Union (EU). Over 90% of those who voted supported membership and Lithuania joined the EU on 1 May 2004. Background Lithuania was invited to begin negotiations to join the EU in December 1999 at a European Council summit in Helsinki and was formally invited to join the EU in December 2002 at a summit in Copenhagen. In June 2002 and February 2003 the Lithuanian Parliament amended Lithuania's laws on referendums. Previously, for a referendum to pass, 50% of the voters had to vote and over 50% of all eligible registered voters had to support the proposal. After the amendment only a simple majority of participants in favour was required for the referendum to pass, while still having the requirement for turnout to be over 50%. To help reach the turnout requirement, the voting hours were extended, postal voting was allowed for 11 days before the refe ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2003 Latvian European Union Membership Referendum
A referendum on European Union membership was held in Latvia on 20 September 2003.Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) ''Elections in Europe: A data handbook'', p1122 Latvia was the last of the states which would join the EU in 2004 to hold a referendum on the issue. Just over two-thirds of voters voted Yes and Latvia joined the EU on 1 May 2004. Background Latvia was invited to begin negotiations to join the EU in 1999 and was formally invited to join at a summit in Copenhagen in December 2002. On 27 December 2002 the Latvian government decided to hold a referendum on 20 September 2003 on joining the EU. In May 2003 the Parliament of Latvia amended the Constitution of Latvia to allow referendums on international matters. Campaigning began on 5 May 2003. Referendum question The question voted on in the referendum was: ''Do you support the membership of Latvia in the European Union?'' Campaign Latvia was seen as being one of the more skeptical countries on joining the Euro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2003 Hungarian European Union Membership Referendum
A referendum on joining the European Union was held in Hungary on 12 April 2003.Dieter Nohlen, Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) ''Elections in Europe: A data handbook'', p899 The proposal was approved by 84% of voters, with a voter turnout of 46%. Hungary subsequently joined the EU on 1 May 2004. Background Hungary submitted a membership application to the EU on 31 March 1994 and negotiations on entry began in 1998. At a European Council, summit in Copenhagen in December 2002, Hungary was one of ten countries invited to join the EU in 2004. All major parties agreed that a binding referendum on membership was needed before Hungary could join the EU. The National Assembly of Hungary changed the rules on referendums in Hungary in 1997; the previous requirement that Voter turnout, turnout be over 50% was removed, replaced with the requirement that at least 25% of all registered voters had to vote in favor for a referendum to be legally valid. In December 2002 the Constitution of Hungary ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2003 Estonian European Union Membership Referendum
A referendum took place on 14 September 2003 to decide whether Estonia should join the European Union (EU). Just over two-thirds of voters voted Yes and Estonia joined the EU on 1 May 2004. Background Membership of the European Union was one of the main objectives of Estonian foreign policy since independence in 1991. Estonia was invited to begin negotiations to join the EU in 1997 and was formally invited to join at a summit in Copenhagen in December 2002. The Parliament of Estonia then announced that a referendum on membership of the EU would be held in mid September 2003. Referendum question The question to be voted on in the referendum was agreed by the Government of Estonia in December 2002. It was: ''Are you in favour of the accession to the European Union and passage of the Act on Amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia?'' Campaign Opinion polls in the first half of 2003 showed only lukewarm support for membership. This persuaded leading politici ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
