European Member States - a summary

Austria. Austria entered into the EU in 1995. A prosperous country, it entered the European Monetary Union in 1999.
Population: 8.1 million
MEPs: 25

Belgium. Belgium has propered in the last half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU.
Population: 10.2 million
MEPs: 25

Cyprus. The third largest island in the Mediterrean.
Population: 0.8 million
MEPs: 6

Czech Republic.
Population: 10.3 million
MEPs: 24

Denmark. Since joining in 1973, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation. It has opted out of the EU's Maastricht Treaty, the European monetary system (EMU), and issues concerning certain internal affairs.
Population: 5.3 million
MEPs: 16

Estonia. Leads the EU for internet connections per capita. Its islands and inlets have been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Population: 1.4 million
MEPs: 6

Finland. A member of the EU snce 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999.
Population: 5.2 million
MEPs: 16

France. France is at the forefront of the European states seeking to advance a more unified and capable European defense and security apparatus.
Population: 59 million
MEPs: 87

Germany. One of the original founding member states in 1957. In January 2002, Germany and 11 other EU countries introduced the euro as a common European currency.
Population: 82 million
MEPs: 99

Greece. Greece joined the European Community in 1981.
Population: 10.5 million
MEPs: 25

Hungary
Population: 10.1 million
MEPs: 24

Ireland. Joined the European Community in 1973.
Population: 3.7 million
MEPs: 15

Italy. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the EEC. It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the European Monetary Union in 1999. Population: 57.6 million
MEPs: 87

Latvia. Gained its independence from the Soveit Union in 1991.
Population: 2.4 million
MEPs: 9

Lithuania. The first Baltic State to restore independence from the Soviet Union in February 1990.
Population: 3.7 million
MEPs: 13

Luxemburg. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (EEC) and in 1999 joined the euro.
Population: 0.4 million
MEPs: 6

Malta. At a crossroads between Europe and Africa, Malta is a melting pot for civilisations in the heart of the Mediterrean.
Population: 0.4 million
MEPs: 5

Netherlands. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EC, and participated in the introduction of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in 1999.
Population: 15.8 million
MEPs: 31

Portugal. Portugal entered the EC (now the EU) in 1985.
Population: 10 million
MEPs: 25

Poland. Joined NATO in 1998 and began negotiating full EU membership.
Population: 38.7 million
MEPs: 54

Slovakia. The Republic of Slovakia came into existence on 1 January 1993.
Population: 5.4 million
MEPs: 14

Slovenia. The only EU member from the former Yugoslavia.
Population: 2.0 million
MEPs: 7

Spain. In 1986, Spain and Portugal joined the European Community, making it the Community of Twelve.
Population: 39.4 million
MEPs: 64

Sweden. Indecision delayed Sweden's entry into the EU until 1995, and waived the introduction of the euro in 1999.
Population: 8.9 million
MEPs: 22

UK. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy. Remains outside the European Monetary Union.
Population: 58.3 million
MEPs: 87