Jill Moore

Reading some of the replies to my previous post, you’d think the European Union was one of the worst things ever to happen to Europe. Which makes me wonder: if the EU is such a disaster, why are so many countries still desperate to join it? Especially nations that know all too well what it means to lose their sovereignty, independence and national identity? Perhaps because the EU’s actual track record tells a very different story. Let’s appreciate for a moment what this extraordinary European project has accomplished, not just for its members, but for the continent as a whole. A continent that spent centuries tearing itself apart through wars, imperial ambitions and nationalism has built something unprecedented: a union of independent nations cooperating through common institutions, shared rules and economic integration. And the results are remarkable. Consider the ten countries that joined in 2004. Their average GDP per capita rose from 59% of the EU average to 81% by 2022. Real wages doubled between 2004 and 2023. Poverty declined dramatically. Millions gained opportunities to study, work, travel and build businesses across borders. But the EU’s positive influence extends far beyond its own borders. It has become an economic and institutional anchor for much of Europe, encouraging reforms, democratic development, infrastructure investment and regional cooperation. Consider the scale of its commitments: €50 billion in support for Ukraine through its 2024–2027 Ukraine Facility. €6 billion for economic development and reforms in the Western Balkans. €1.9 billion for Moldova’s development and European integration. And countless smaller programmes supporting education, civil society, cultural preservation and local development throughout Europe’s neighbourhood. Take Georgia, for example. The EU has supported cultural development and heritage preservation, including funding for Georgian cities such as Zugdidi, Kutaisi and Poti. Which brings me to another particularly absurd accusation: that the EU wants to erase national identities. Really? The EU explicitly protects cultural and linguistic diversity in its founding treaties. It recognises 24 official languages and has dedicated billions to supporting Europe’s cultural and creative sectors. It even finances the preservation of cultural identities in countries that aren’t EU members. The whole point of European integration is not that Germans, Poles, Italians or Georgians must stop being who they are. It’s that different nations can preserve their identities while becoming more prosperous, secure and influential through cooperation. Of course, the EU has plenty of shortcomings. Bureaucracy, questionable regulations, political paralysis and inconsistent policies deserve serious criticism. And not every success can be credited to Brussels. But there’s a difference between criticising an institution and ignoring its historical achievements. The EU has been a tremendous net positive, not just for its members, but for the wider European continent. Its influence has helped create opportunities, strengthen institutions, finance development and offer countries a path towards greater prosperity and democratic stability. Perhaps the greatest testament to its success is that countries outside the Union continue to see membership as a future worth pursuing. And perhaps that’s something Europeans themselves should appreciate a little more. The European Union isn’t perfect. But Europe, as a whole, is considerably better off because it exists.