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lunedì 28 marzo 2016

MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE EU - GERMANY

With a landmass that stretches from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in the north to the Alps in the south, Germany has the largest population of any EU country. Germany borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, France and Luxembourg to the southwest, and Belgium and the Netherlands to the northwest.

The most important sectors of Germany’s economy in 2014 were industry (25.9 %), public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (18.2 %) and wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food service activities (15.5 %).

Germany’s main export partners are France, the US and the UK while its main import partners are the Netherlands, France and China.

Capital: Berlin

Geographical size: 357 340 km²

Population: 80 780 000 (2014)

Population as % of total EU population: 15.9 % (2014)

GDP: € 2.904 trillion (2014)

Official EU language(s): German

Political system: federal parliamentary republic

EU member country since: 1 January 1958

Seats in the European Parliament: 96

Currency: Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999

Schengen area member? Yes, Schengen Area member since 26 March 1995.

Presidency of the Council: Germany has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 11 times between 1958 and 2007.

Germany in the EU

European Parliament

There are 96 members of the European Parliament from Germany. Find out who these MEPsare.

European Parliament office in Germany

Council of the EU

In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the German government, depending on the policy area being addressed.

Presidency of the Council of the EU

The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.

During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.

Dates of German presidencies:

More on the current presidency of the Council of the EU.

European Commission

The Commissioner nominated by Germany to the European Commission is Günther Oettinger, who is responsible for Digital Economy and Society.

The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".

Commission representation in Germany

European Economic & Social Committee

Germany has 30 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.

Committee of the Regions

Germany has 24 representatives on the Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.

Permanent representation to the EU

Germany also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representationin Brussels. As Germany's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.

Budgets and Funding

How much does Germany contribute and receive?

Member countries' financial contributions to the EU budget are shared fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa. The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather to focus on the needs of all Europeans as a whole.

Breakdown of Germany's finances with the EU in 2014:

Total EU spending in Germany – € 11.484 billion
Total EU spending as % of German GNI – 0.39 %
Total German contribution to the EU budget – € 25.816 billion
German contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI – 0.87 %

More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:

EU-funded projects in Germany

The money paid into the EU budget by Germany helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.