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Encyclopedia > Foreign relations of Europe
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The politics of Europe deals with the continually evolving politics within the continent. It is a topic far more detailed than other continents due to a number of factors including the long history of nation states in the region as well as the modern day trend towards increased political unity amongst the European states.


The current politics of Europe can be traced back to historical events within the continent. Likewise geography, economy and culture have contributed to the current political make-up of Europe. fdgdsfbgthehjmynuyru tgbtybtynebyewyt ertbrtybhtybrt | Renaissance |- | Early Modern Europe |- | Modern Europe |} This article gives an account of the history of the continent of Europe. ... The Culture of Europe might better be described as a series of overlapping cultures of Europe. ...


Modern European politics is dominated by the European Union, particularly since the fall of the Iron Curtain and the collapse of the Eastern Bloc of Communist states. With the end of the Cold War, the EU expanded eastward to include 25 member states that are represented in the European Parliament. Europe at the time of the Iron Curtain The Iron Curtain (Eiserner Vorhang in German, Železná opona in Czech, Железный занавес (Zhelezniy zanaves) in Russian, Vasfüggöny in Hungarian, Jernteppet in Norwegian, Żelazna kurtyna in Polish, Cortina de fier in Romanian, Желязна завеса in Bulgarian , Rautaesirippu in Finnish ) is a Western term referring... Eastern bloc During the Cold War, the Eastern Bloc (or Soviet Bloc) comprised the following Central and Eastern European countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, East Germany, Poland, Albania (until the early 1960s, see below), the Soviet Union, and Czechoslovakia. ... A Communist state is a term for a state governed by a single political party which declares its allegiance to the principles of Marxism-Leninism. ... For the generic term for high-tension and / or indirect struggle between states, falling short of actual open hostilities, see cold war (war). ... The European Parliament is the parliamentary body of the European Union (EU), directly elected by EU citizens once every five years. ...

Contents


Modern political climate

Several issues dominate modern European politics.


Despite vastly improved relations between Russia and the Western European states since the end of the cold war, recently tensions have risen over the spread of 'Western' organisations, particuarly the EU and NATO, eastwards into former USSR states.


Most European states have either joined, or stated their ambition to join, the European Union. This has led to governments overhauling corrupt and overly-beauracratic systems in order to bring themselves in line with membership criteria. This in turn has led to improved relations between former enemies, such as Greece and Turkey.


There are few conflicts within Europe, although there remain problems in the Balkans and the Caucasus. The Balkans is the historic and geographic name used to describe a region of south-eastern Europe. ... The Entholinguistic patchwork of the modern Caucasus - CIA map The Caucasus, a region bordering Asia Minor, is located between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea which includes the Caucasus Mountains and surrounding lowlands. ...


International alliances

European states are members of a large number of international organisations, mainly economical, although several are political, or both. The main political unions are detailed below.


European Union

The European Union or EU is a supranational union of 25 European states. It has many activities, the most important being a common single market, consisting of a customs union, a single currency (adopted by 12 out of 25 member states), a Common Agricultural Policy and a Common Fisheries Policy. The European Union also has various initiatives to co-ordinate activities of the member states. A supranational union, sometimes called also a supranational state, is a group of countries that has: some of the traits of a regional international organization and some of the traits of a federal state, In other words, it is a hybrid or transitional institution. ...


The EU, considered as a unit, has the largest economy in the world with a 2005 GDP of 12.18 trillion USD. The EU economy is expected to grow further over the next decade as more former communist countries join the union. There is also a trend of moving towards increased cooperation in terms of common defence and foreign policy. The numeral trillion refers to one of two number values, depending on the context of where and how it is being used. ... Communism - Wikipedia /**/ @import /w/skins-1. ... The Common Foreign and Security Policy or CFSP was established as the second of the three pillars of the European Union in the Maastricht treaty of 1992, and further defined and broadened in the Amsterdam Treaty of 1997. ... For the American magazine, see Foreign Policy. ...


The union has evolved over time from a primarily economic union to an increasingly political one. This trend is highlighted by the increasing number of policy areas that fall within EU competence: political power has tended to shift upwards from the Member States to the EU.


Commonwealth of Independent States

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is a confederation consisting of 12 of the 15 states of the former Soviet Union, (the exceptions being the three Baltic states). Although the CIS has few supranational powers, it is more than a purely symbolic organization and possesses coordinating powers in the realm of trade, finance, lawmaking and security. The most significant issue for the CIS is the establishment of a full-fledged free trade zone / economic union between the member states, to be launched in 2005. It has also promoted cooperation on democratisation and cross-border crime prevention. Flag of the CIS The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) (in Russian: Содружество Независимых Государств (СНГ) - Sodruzhestvo Nezavisimykh Gosudarstv) is a confederation, or alliance, consisting of 11 former Soviet Republics: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. ... A confederation is an association of sovereign states, usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution. ... Baltic states and the Baltic Sea The Baltic states or the Baltic countries is a term which nowadays refers to three countries in Northern Europe: Estonia Latvia Lithuania Prior to World War II, Finland was sometimes considered, particularly by the Soviet Union, a fourth Baltic state. ...


North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is a military alliance of mainly European states, plus the United States of America and Canada. The organisation was founded as a collective security measure following World War Two. For the National Association of Theatre Owners, please see National Association of Theatre Owners. ... Collective Security is a system for aspiring for peace in which participants agree that any breach of the peace is to be declared to be of concern to all the participating states, and will result in a collective response. ... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 7 million military deaths {{{notes}}} World War II, also known as the Second World War (sometimes WW2 or WWII or World War Two), was a mid-20th century conflict that engulfed much of the...


This provision was intended so that if the Soviet Union launched an attack against the European allies of the United States, it would be treated as if it was an attack on the United States itself, which had the biggest military and could thus provide the most significant retaliation. However the feared Soviet invasion of Europe never came. Instead, the provision was invoked for the first time in the treaty's history on 12 September 2001, in response to the September 11 attacks on the United States the day before.


Independence movements

Belgium

One of Belgium’s parties, the Vlaams Belang, a Flemish equivalent of the French National Front, wants Flanders, the northern part of Belgium, to become independent. Other Flemish parties plead for more regional autonomy. Vlaams Belang (English: Flemish Interest) is a Belgian political party. ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ...


The autonomous Belgian region of Wallonia has a movement wanting to leave the Belgian state and join with France. Wallonia (French: Wallonie) or the Walloon Region (French: Région Wallonne) is the predominantly French-speaking region that constitutes one of the three federal regions of Belgium, with its capital at Namur. ...


Denmark

The Danish territories of Greenland and Faroe Islands have very strong independence movements.


Finland

The Sami people desire independence for Lapland. The Sami people (also Sámi, Saami, Lapps and Laplanders) are an indigenous people of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia, covering a total area in the Nordic countries corresponding to the size of Sweden. ... National anthem Sámi soga lávlla Languages Sami, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Russian Area ca. ...


The Åland Islands have a great deal of autonomy, but some groups want full independence. Motto: None Anthem: Ã…länningens sÃ¥ng Capital Mariehamn Largest city Mariehamn Official language(s) Swedish Government Governor Premier Autonomous Province Peter Lindbäck Roger Nordlund Autonomy 1920 Area  â€¢ Total  â€¢ Water (%)   6,784 km² (n/a) 77. ...


France

The Mediterranean island of Corsica has a significant, and growing, group calling for independence from France. There are also movements in the Brittany region of northern France who wish to regain independence lost in 1532, and in Savoy in the south east, which was annexed to France following a disputed referendum in 1860. Satellite image The Mediterranean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean almost completely enclosed by land, on the north by Europe, on the south by Africa, and on the east by Asia. ... Capital Ajaccio Land area¹ 8,680 km² President of the Executive Council Ange Santini (UMP) (since 2004) Population   - Jan. ... Traditional coat of arms This article is about the historical duchy and French province, as well as the cultural area of Brittany. ... This article is about the historical region of Savoy. ...


Parts of Navarre, Basque Country and Catalonia cross into France. Navarre (Spanish Navarra, Basque Nafarroa) is an autonomous community and province of Spain. ... The Basque Country (Euskal Herria in Basque) straddles the western Pyrenees mountains that define the border between France and Spain, extending down to the coast of the Bay of Biscay. ... Capital Barcelona Official languages Spanish and Catalan In Val dAran, also Aranese. ...


Georgia

Georgia has two regions wishing to join with Russia; Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Abkhazia (Abkhaz Аҧсны/Aphsny, Georgian აფხაზეთი/Apxazeti, Russian Абха́зия/Abhazia) is a region of 8,600 km² (3,300 sq. ... Official language Ossetian Capital Tskhinvali President Eduard Djabeevich Kokoity Prime Minister Igor Viktorovich Sanakoyev Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % water  3,900 km²  n/a Population  â€“ Total  â€“ Density (2004)  70,000 (approx)  18/km² Independence  â€“ Declared  â€“ Recognition From Georgia  â€“ November 28, 1991  â€“ none Currency Russian...


Germany

There are several groups calling for the southern region of Bavaria, which is in many ways culturally distinct from the rest of Germany. The Free State of Bavaria  (German: Freistaat Bayern), with an area of 70,553 km² (27,241 square miles) and 12. ...


Italy

The Mediterranean island of Sardinia has a small independence movement. Satellite image The Mediterranean Sea is a part of the Atlantic Ocean almost completely enclosed by land, on the north by Europe, on the south by Africa, and on the east by Asia. ... Sardinia (Sardegna in Italian, Sardigna, Sardinna or Sardinnia in the Sardinian language, Sardenya in Catalan), is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (Sicily is the largest), between Italy, Spain and Tunisia, south of Corsica. ...


Moldova

The eastern Moldovan region of Transnistria has declared independence from Moldova, and wants to join with Ukraine. Despite having no control over the region, the Moldovan government refuses to recognise this claim. Motto: none Anthem: Anthem of Transnistria Capital Tiraspol Largest city Tiraspol Official languages Moldovan, Russian and Ukrainian Government President Parliamentary Republic Igor Smirnov Recognition Independence Recognition From Moldova none September 2, 1990 none Area  â€¢ Water (%) 3,567 km²  N/A% Population 555,500 (2004 est). ...


Norway

The Sami people desire independence for Lapland. The Sami people (also Sámi, Saami, Lapps and Laplanders) are an indigenous people of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia, covering a total area in the Nordic countries corresponding to the size of Sweden. ... National anthem Sámi soga lávlla Languages Sami, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Russian Area ca. ...


Russia

Several of Russia's regions have independence movements, mostly in the state's north caucasus border. The most notable of these are Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia, which have well supported guerilla groups involved in open conflict with the Russian authorities. Capital Grozny Area - total - % water 78th - 15,500 km² - negligible Population - Total - Density 49th - est. ... The Republic of Dagestan (Russian: ), older spelling Daghestan, is a federal subject of the Russian Federation (a republic). ... The Republic of Ingushetia (Russian: ; Ingush: ГIалгIай Мохк) is a federal subject of the Russian Federation (a republic). ...


The Tatar people seek an independent state from the region of Tatarstan Capital Kazan (Qazan) Area - total - % water 47th - 67,836. ...


Finland claims the region of Karelia. Karelia - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...


To the west of Russia lies the enclave of Kaliningrad oblast, (formerly known as Prussia). This enclave is separated from the main Russian state by EU member states, which has led to an increased call for autonomy. However, ethnic-German groups call for complete independence. C is As enclave and Bs exclave. ... Map of the Kaliningrad Oblast Kaliningrad Oblast (Russian: Калининградская область), informally called Yantarny kray (Russian:Янтарный Край - meaning Amber region) is an administrative division (oblast) of Russia on the Baltic coast, with no land connection to the rest of Russia: an enclave of the European Union. ... The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Prussia, 1701-1918 The word Prussia (German: Preußen, Polish: Prusy, Lithuanian: Prūsai, Latin: Borussia) has had various (often contradictory) meanings: The land of the Baltic Prussians (in what is now parts of southern Lithuania, the Kaliningrad exclave of Russia and...


The Sami people desire independence for Lapland, the Eastern part of which is located within Russia. The Sami people (also Sámi, Saami, Lapps and Laplanders) are an indigenous people of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia, covering a total area in the Nordic countries corresponding to the size of Sweden. ... National anthem Sámi soga lávlla Languages Sami, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Russian Area ca. ...


Serbia and Montenegro

The Serbian autonomous community of Kosovo, which has a majority ethnic-Albanian population, overwhelmingly desires to leave Serbia and become a sovereign state, although some wish to have union with Albania. The province is currently governed by the United Nations, though remains part of Serbia under law. By the end of 2006 the UN has stated that it will have decided on Kosovo's future status. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Kosovo (Serbian: Косово и Метохија / Kosovo i Metohija, Albanian: Kosovë / Kosova) is a province of Serbia. ... This article discusses states as sovereign political entities. ... Main articles: League of Nations and History of the United Nations The term United Nations was coined by Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II, to refer to the Allies. ...


In 2006 Serbia and Montenegro are to hold referendums on whether to retain their union or become separate states. There is currently a majority in each country desiring independence. 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Serbia and Montenegro  â€“ Serbia    â€“ Kosovo and Metohia        (UN administration)    â€“ Vojvodina  â€“ Montenegro Official language Serbian Capital Podgorica Former Royal Capital Cetinje President Filip Vujanović Prime Minister Milo Đukanović Area  â€“ Total  â€“ % water  13,812 km²  n/a Population  â€“ Total (2003)  â€“ Density  616,258  48. ...


Spain

Within Spain there are independence movements in some of the autonomous regions, notably the regions of Catalonia, Basque country and Navarre. These are mostly peaceful but some, such as ETA use violent means. Autonomous communities of Spain. ... Capital Barcelona Official languages Spanish and Catalan In Val dAran, also Aranese. ... The Basque Country (Euskal Herria in Basque) straddles the western Pyrenees mountains that define the border between France and Spain, extending down to the coast of the Bay of Biscay. ... Navarre (Spanish Navarra, Basque Nafarroa) is an autonomous community and province of Spain. ... Look up Eta in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Eta means: Eta (letter), from the Greek alphabet (Η, η) eta (glider), A very high performance German glider Eta is an old name for Burakumin, a Japanese social minority group, or, nowadays, an extremely inflammatory Japanese swearword Eta reduction in mathematics, see lambda calculus...


Sweden

The Sami people desire independence for Lapland. The Sami people (also Sámi, Saami, Lapps and Laplanders) are an indigenous people of northern Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia, covering a total area in the Nordic countries corresponding to the size of Sweden. ... National anthem Sámi soga lávlla Languages Sami, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Russian Area ca. ...


Ukraine

The Ukrainian autonomous region of Crimea has several movements, calling either for greater autnomy, complete independence, or unification with Russia. The Crimea /kraɪˈmia/ is a peninsula and an autonomous republic of Ukraine on the northern coast of the Black Sea. ...


The East of the country is majority ethnic-Russian, and there are calls from some groups for the area to leave Ukraine and join Russia. This is particuarly the case since the pro-western Victor Yuschenko became president. Viktor Andriyovych Yushchenko (Ukrainian: Віктор Андрійович Ющенко) (born 23 February 1954) is the president of Ukraine. ...


United Kingdom

Within the United Kingdom there are political parties in each of the three Great British nations calling for independence from the union. In Northern Ireland there are parties calling for the province to leave the union and be united with the Republic of Ireland. Great Britain lies between Ireland and continental Europe Great Britain is an island nation lying off the north-western coast of Europe, comprising the main territory of the United Kingdom (UK). ... Dieu et mon droit (Royal motto) (French for God and my right)3 Northern Irelands location within the UK Official languages English, Irish, Ulster Scots Capital and largest city Belfast First Minister Office suspended Area  - Total Ranked 4th 13,843 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 4th 1,685...


There is a movement which seeks to revoke the status of the Isle of Man as a British Crown Dependency and establish a completely sovereign state. Crown dependencies are possessions of the British Crown, as opposed to overseas territories or colonies. ... This article discusses states as sovereign political entities. ...


Politics by country

Politics of Europe
Politics of: Albania | Andorra | Armenia | Austria | Azerbaijan | Belarus | Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bulgaria | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Georgia | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy | Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Republic of Macedonia | Malta | Republic of Moldova | Monaco | The Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | San Marino | Serbia and Montenegro | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | Vatican City
Akrotiri and Dhekelia | Faroe Islands | Gibraltar | Guernsey | Jan Mayen | Jersey | Isle of Man | Svalbard

Politics of the Republic of Macedonia: From the CIA World Factbook 2000/2001, partially updated Country name: conventional long form: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: none local long form: Republika Makedonija local short form: Makedonija abbreviation: F.Y.R.O.M. Data code: MK Government type... Politics of the Netherlands takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democracy and a constitutional monarchy, where the prime minister of the Netherlands is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system with about 15 parties at national elections. ...

Foreign relations by country

Foreign relations of Europe
Foreign relations of: Albania | Andorra | Armenia | Austria | Azerbaijan | Belarus | Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bulgaria | Croatia | Cyprus | Czech Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Georgia | Germany | Greece | Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy | Latvia | Liechtenstein | Lithuania | Luxembourg | Republic of Macedonia | Malta | Republic of Moldova | Monaco | The Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal | Romania | Russia | San Marino | Serbia and Montenegro | Slovakia | Slovenia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | Turkey | Ukraine | United Kingdom | Vatican City
Akrotiri and Dhekelia | Faroe Islands | Gibraltar | Guernsey | Jan Mayen | Jersey | Isle of Man | Svalbard

// International recognition The Republic of Macedonia became a member state of the United Nations on 8 April 1993, eighteen months after its independence from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. ... The Netherlands abandoned its traditional policy of neutrality after World War II. The Dutch have since become engaged participants in international affairs. ...

See also


The European Union or EU is a supranational organisation of European countries, which currently has 25 member states. ... World map showing Europe Europe is conventionally considered one of the seven continents which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiogeographic one. ... The Culture of Europe might better be described as a series of overlapping cultures of Europe. ... The economy of Europe is comprised of more than 665 million people in 48 different states. ... Geographically, Europe is a part of the larger landmass known as Eurasia. ... fdgdsfbgthehjmynuyru tgbtybtynebyewyt ertbrtybhtybrt | Renaissance |- | Early Modern Europe |- | Modern Europe |} This article gives an account of the history of the continent of Europe. ... A, thus far incomplete, list of conflicts in Europe, (arranged both alpahabetically and chronologically), including; Wars between European nations Civil Wars within European nations Rebellions by a European nation seeking independence Wars between a European nation and a non-European nation that took place within Europe Global conflicts, in which... Shortcut: Europe topics This is a list of topics related to Europe. ...

Europe
Culture of Europe | Economy of Europe | Geography of Europe | History of Europe | Politics of Europe


 
 

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