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
• tackling  climate change and promoting energy security
• 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 .

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.

EU Council to focus on financial crisis

EU economy and finance ministers focused on measures to resolve the financial crisis, in a meeting of the ECOFIN Council on 4 November.

The meeting comes ahead of the international summit on the financial crisis on 15 November 2008 in Washington. The EU committed to a common approach to reduce the immediate impact of financial instability in the October European Council.

European Youth Week, 2 - 9th November 2008

This year's European Youth Week marks twenty years of EU programmes for young people, developing community participation, active citizenship, and social inclusion. Find out more here about events in the UK to mark the week.

Britain in the European Union

• Europe’s citizens of tomorrow decide today (27/10)
• Global Europe
• EU Policies
• Quick guide to the EU