Britain and the World

European Union. Britain’s closest links at the beginning of the new millennium are obviously with Europe. Britain signed the Single European Act at Maastricht, it elects members to the European Parliament in Strasbourg (*at present the European Parliament has 627 seats, 87 of which are British), its citizens are subject to European Union (EU) laws, and more than 50 per cent of trade is with EU members. There is free movement of labour (there are 450,000 young EU citizens living and working in London alone). (*The EU is an association of 15 countries which developed from the European Community or the Commonmarket (i.e. economic unity of European countries). Now it deals with: 1) integration in foreign and security policies; 2) cooperation on justice and home affairs.)

But the EU membership is still not the answer to all Britain’s foreign policy questions. Europe remains a trading partnership, not military alliance, because Britain likes to feel free to do things on its own.

European Economic Community. The British entry to the European Economic Community (EEC) was problematic. Although the UK was keen on the idea, it failed to enter the EEC both in 1957 and 1961, because of its links with the USA and the Commonwealth were too strong. Britain finally joined the EEC in 1973, but public opinion on membership has been divided ever since. However, regardless of the differences in the opinions, the UK has consistently been against greater European integration, and in favour of enlargement: the addition to the EU of Eastern European countries, to produce a bigger and looser community.

The Commonwealth. The Commonwealth (also British Commonwealth) is an organization of about 50 independent states, which were previously parts of the British Empire, established to encourage trade and friendly relations among its members (*with the re-admission of Pakistan, which had left in 1972, and the entry of Namibia). The Queen is the titular head of the Commonwealth (*she holds the title but doesn’t have duties and responsibilities, or power of office): representatives of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, Jamaica, and other Commonwealth countries (e.g. Sri Lanka, Sudan, Cyprus, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Zimbabwe and many more).

It started when the British Empire colonies began to gain their independence. Because of the impact the UK had on the ex-colonies, as well as the strong economic and military links, Britain offered to make a unity of the UK and the ex-colonies.

The heads of government of all Commonwealth countries meet every two years, and sometimes issue a Declaration of Intent (Декларация Намерений), which sets the agreed ideals and principles. In 1971 the Singapore Declaration stated, “We believe in the liberty of the individual, in equal rights for all citizens regardless of race, colour, creed or political belief, and in their inalienable right to participate by means of free and democratic political processes in framing the society in which they live.” However, today there is no longer the strong sense of Commonwealth purpose that there still was thirty years ago. For Britain this is partly because the Commonwealth is not much less important economically than the European Community.

The UNO. Britain is a founder member of the United Nations Organization (UNO), which was set up in 1945. She is one of the five permanent members of the Security Counsel, together with France, the USA, China, and Russia. Britain is the country that maintains the international forces and both protects and defends security if it comes to it. (*to protect = to keep safe; to defend = to make safe).

The Group of Seven. (of Eight). It comprises leading industrial countries, which was set up as early as 1975. at present it doesn’t only discuss economic issues (for which it was originally meant), but such political issues as international crime and terrorism as well. Russia has participated in the discussions since 1994, but Russia is not a fully-fledged member.

NATO. Britain also participates in the activity of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which consists of 19 countries (members of NATO); however, Poland as well as the Baltic Republics is going to join it. it has its headquarters in Brussels. The decision making body is the North Atlantic Counsel which meet twice a year at foreign minister level. Defense Ministers also meet twice a year (they are Senior Ministers).

Date: 2016-03-03; view: 1423