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lunedì 28 marzo 2016

MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE EU - ITALY

To the north, Italy borders France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia, and its borders are largely naturally defined by the Alpine watershed. To the south, it consists of the entirety of the Italian Peninsula and the two largest Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia as well as around 68 smaller islands. There are two small independent states within Italy: the Vatican City in Rome, and the Republic of San Marino.

The most important sectors of Italy’s economy in 2014 were wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (20.1 %), industry (18.5 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (17.2 %).

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

Capital: Rome

Geographical size: 302 073 km²

Population: 60 782 668 (2014)

Population as % of total EU population: 12 % (2014)

GDP: € 1.616 trillion (2014)

Official EU language(s): Italian

Political system: parliamentary republic

EU member state since: 1 January 1958

Seats in the European Parliament: 73

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

Schengen area member? Yes, Schengen Area member since 26 October 1997

Presidency of the Council: Italy has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 12 times between 1959 and 2014.

Facts & figures about Italy in relation to other EU countries
Statistical profile of Italy
Government of Italy

Italy in the EU

European Parliament

There are 73 members of the European Parliament from Italy. Find out who these MEPs are.

European Parliament office in Italy

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 Italian 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 Italian presidencies:

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

European Commission

The Commissioner nominated by Italy to the European Commission is Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

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

Commission representation in Italy

European Economic & Social Committee

Italy has 28 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

Italy 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

Italy also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representation in Brussels. As Italy'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 Italy 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 Italy’s finances with the EU in 2014:

Total EU spending in Italy – € 10.695 billion
Total EU spending as % of Italian GNI – 0.66 %
Total Italian contribution to the EU budget – € 14.368 billion
Italian contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI – 0.89 %

More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:

EU-funded projects in Italy

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