A uniquely successful project

The European Union is the most successful political and economic community of sovereign nations in history. Material prosperity and economic performance in the EU are more than twice as high as the global standard. Its member nations are also among the global leaders in income equality, education and life expectancy. EU membership generates substantial economic benefits for Germany and the other countries. As a result, non-member states like Switzerland and Norway have fallen into line with EU rules and contribute a substantial amount to the EU budget without having voting rights of their own. Brexit is an example of what could be at stake, even just economically, if close EU connections were to break down.

The key to the EU’s success is the will of the member states to cooperate on a long-term basis. Cooperation leads to a process of give and take, resulting in benefits for all: nations who focus on exports, like Germany, specifically benefit from free trade, others benefit from capital inflow or economic aid. But the EU’s value goes beyond economics. Democracy, human rights, the social market economy, free movement of workers, and consumer and environmental protection all add up to ensure a high quality of life and individual development opportunities in Europe. The most important aspect, however, is the preservation of peace.

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4. The EU acts as a stable community. Since the financial crisis, it has stabilised national economies that were heavily affected and saved people from a system collapse using guarantees and assistance loans.

5. International movement of workers has created a labour market with over 200 million employees. Every EU citizen can look for work in the member nation of their choosing. This increases opportunities for professional achievement. It also contributes to higher incomes, preventing skilled labour shortages and reducing unemployment.

6. The EU gives us tangible benefits for everyday life that we often inadvertently take for granted. These include freedom of travel without formalities at the border, Europe-wide consumer and environmental protection, a wide spectrum of goods and services, and the euro as a common currency. In addition, a strong EU improves our chances of living in peace, freedom and prosperity in the future. We need innovative businesses, more investments, sound national budgets, stable banks, controlled migratory flows, a sustainable energy supply, climate protection and external security in an increasingly confrontational world. Those are massive undertakings that Europe can only overcome together.