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| :: The Netherlands and the European Union |
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The Netherlands was one of the six founding members of the European Union that created the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) on 1 January 1952 , to bring their coal and steel industries under common control. In 1958, the same countries formed the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC or Euratom) and the European Economic Community (EEC). In 1967, the institutions of these three Communities were merged (the 1967 Merger Treaty).
As one of the six "founding fathers" of the European Communities, the Netherlands has played an active part in European integration from the outset. As an exporting country and hub of European distribution services, the Netherlands has much to gain from an efficient internal market and the removal of trade barriers. On the eve of the Dutch Presidency of the Council in the first half of 1997, the Dutch government described the internal market as one of the EU's greatest achievements.
As a small country, the Netherlands has long favoured supranational decision-making in many areas. It believes that when decision-making is transferred to independent shared institutions, the smaller countries are less likely to be overshadowed by their larger neighbours.
Crucial decisions have been taken at two European summits held in the Netherlands . In December 1991, the European Council approved the Treaty of Maastricht, which laid the foundations for economic and monetary union. And on 17 June 1997 , it approved the Treaty of Amsterdam, which paved the way for the EU to enlarge eastwards.
The Netherlands currently enjoys 13 votes in the Council under the Nice formula. Whilst this weighting may change with adoption of the new Constitutional Treaty, the Netherlands has in the past and will in the future always need, by virtue of its relative size, to strike alliances within the Council in order to secure support for its national positions. It therefore has a strong reputation as a Member State that works constructively within the EU's institutional framework.
Holland is one of the richest countries in the world. GDP is 23 331$ per capita, inflation reaches 4,3 per cent, and unemployment is very low (only 2,3 per cent).
Not many people are employed in agriculture. More than 27% of the total land area of the Netherlands is under seasonal or permanent crop production. Grasslands account for about 54% of all agricultural lands. Most farms are effectively managed and worked intensively with mechanical equipment. The many cooperatives have added to the efficiency of production and distribution. The Netherlands is famous for its bulbs grown for export, principally tulip, hyacinth, daffodil, narcissus, and crocus. Holland is also famous for poultry products. Dutch farmers produce the largest number of eggs in the world. In Frisia and Northern Holland people keep cattle and make best quality cheese. Dutch agriculture is subsidised by the European Union within the framework of the common agricultural policy. However, the Netherlands is a netto payer - the amount of the membership fee is larger than the amount of the subsidies received from Brussel.
From the area of the North Sea, the Dutch exploit oil and natural gas, but the extraction do not cover the whole demand for these resources. Petrochemical industry, aluminium production and processing industry and food processing industry are developed as well as car, machine and electronic devices production. The Netherlands is a very important transportation centre of the European Union. Rptterdam, situated on the North Sea, is the biggest harbour in the world. 300 mln tones of different goods are loaded here annually. There can be found a lot of canals ,situated throughout all the country, which connect the sea harbours with the main European rivers. The air routs from the North and the South of Europe cross in the Netherlands. Holland is also a member of the euro zone.
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