EU, the Maastricht Treaty, and Comparisons of viewpoints.

             The Maastrich Treaty is the main single document holding the European Union together. It creates the backbone of the Union. "Article B outlines the heart of the Maastricht treaty. It also contains the issues that create the most division among the 15 countries participating in the Union." I will attempt to compare 3 different countries attitude as I see it on "developing closer cooperation on justice and home affairs." This, I feel is the matter which we, the normal workers, will notice the most after reduction of the VAT.

             Firstly I would like to discuss the meaning of developing closer cooperation on justice and home affairs. I believe it means that all countries within the European Union have to synchronize their laws and rights so that one can expect similar things in the whole Union. If it is found that the politicians and the businesses (they) cannot completely synchronize things such as retirement payments, health care, and taxes; it will be necessary to make them compatible. It also means that all government owned businesses will have to be verified in some way to create equality within the Union.

             First of all I would like to scrutinize Sweden. To me this country is interesting since it is my place of birth and I am currently situated here. It is interesting also in the sense that Sweden has many taxes, regulations, and laws which are so different from the rest of the Union. This will make the synchronization of the mentioned points difficult and very apparent. .

             I will begin by describing Sweden's economy. Sweden's important raw materials are iron ore and lumber. Of great importance also are the sulfide ores, which often contain important metals. The industry is mostly privately owned, cooperative enterprises are publicly owned, either by the state or by local authorities. Cooperative activity is relatively greater in the retail area.