7+unit+7+European+Union+Yes

Member states and candidates
http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries/index_en.htm ==| [|Candidate countries] || || [|Croatia] || || [|Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia] || || [|Turkey] ||==



=T he European flag is the symbol not only of the European Union but also of Europe's unity and identity in a wider sense. = = The circle of twelve gold stars on a blue background represents solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe. Both symbols represent perfection, unity. The number of the stars does not correspond to the number of EU Member States, the flag therefore remains unchanged regardless of EU enlargements. || = = = = = = = = The European Anthem = = = = For the final movement of this symphony, Beethoven set to music the "Ode to Joy " written in 1785 by Friedrich von Schiller. = = This poem expresses Schiller's idealistic vision of the human race becoming brothers - a vision Beethoven shared. = = = [|**http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/anthem/index_en.htm**] = || = = = = = = = = = On the 9 May 1950 in Paris the first move was made towards the creation of what is now known as the European Union. On that day, after the 2nd worldwar, the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. =
 * = The melody of the European Anthem comes from the Ninth Symphony composed in 1823 by Ludwig van Beethoven =