The European Union (EU) is a unique partnership in which countries work closely together for the benefit of all their citizens. There are currently 27 EU member states with a total population of over 490 million. The UK joined the EU in 1973, the same year also Denmark and Ireland joined.

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.

The British government's vision of the European Union in the 21st Century is of an organisation that is confident, outward-looking and better equipped to respond to the opportunities and challenges of globalisation. We want to build an EU that delivers for its citizens by addressing the concrete challenges ahead, from tackling climate change, to fighting international terrorism and sustaining growth and jobs in the face of changing global economic conditions.

We also want to make the EU a genuine global player that reaches out to its southern and eastern neighbours, meets its responsibilities in the world and leads the way on the environment and human rights.

Joining the Euro is a big step and so the economic conditions have to be right before a political decision can be made.  In principle, the Government is in favour of UK membership of the euro but in practice the economic conditions must be right.

You can read more about Britain in the EU.

Here in Copenhagen, we are working to help deliver this vision by engaging with our Danish partners to shape the European Union today, tomorrow and in the long term.