Britain in the European Union
The European Union (EU) is a unique partnership in which countries work closely together for the benefit of all their citizens. There are currently 27 EU member states with a total population of over 490 million.
"The European Union is essential to the success of Britain and a Britain fully engaged in Europe is essential to the success of the European Union."
- Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Why is the EU important?
There are many things European countries do best when they work together:
- removing trade barriers to boost growth and create jobs
- improving the environment
- improving standards and rights for consumers
- fighting international crime and illegal immigration
- bringing peace and stability to Europe by working with its neighbours
- giving Europe a more powerful voice in the world
Read more about what the EU does and how it works in our Quick guide to the EU.
European Council
The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary will be in Brussels on 19 and 20 June for the EU Council meeting.
Find out more about the European Council in our Newsfile, and keep up to date with developments on the No.10 European Council microsite.
Global Europe
How can the EU meet the challenges and opportunities of globalisation?
Find out more here about the UK's vision for a Global Europe.
Minister for Europe, Jim Murphy MP, has launched a series of seminars on Delivering Global Europe. You can read more here:
Seminar series: Delivering Global Europe
Lisbon Treaty
Find out what the Lisbon Treaty will mean for the UK:
Why the Lisbon Treaty matters
What the Lisbon Treaty will do
Lisbon Treaty myths
Jim Murphy's blog
Jim Murphy wants to hear your views on how the EU is doing. Read Jim Murphy's blog
Britain in the European Union
Recent news and events
Progress: Foreign Secretary
02/07/2008
The Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, delivered a speech to the think tank Progress in the House of Commons on Wednesday 2 July. He spoke about Britain's role in Europe and the European Union.
French Presidency of the EU: David Miliband
02/07/2008
The Foreign Secretary took part in an interview on Channel 4 news on Wednesday 2 July discussing the French Presidency of the European Union. He also commented on the situation in Zimbabwe.
Jim Murphy on Wheeler Judgement
25/06/2008
Minister for Europe, Jim Murphy, commented on the High Court ruling against holding a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty in an interview with BBC news on Wednesday 25 June
See Also
Newsfile: European Council, 19 - 20 June 2008
Useful Links
UK Permanent Representation to the EU
Cabinet Office European Secretariat
Related Documents
- House of Lords Constitution Committee Report - EU (Amendment) Bill and the Treaty of Lisbon: Implications for the UK Constitution (CM 7417)
- Government Response to the European Union Select Committee on Treaty of Lisbon: An Impact Assessment (CM 7389)
- Guide to the EU
- Consolidated texts of the EU Treaties, as amended by the Treaty of Lisbon
- The Treaty of Lisbon
