Part 2/9:
The EU comprises 27 member states and carries an ambitious agenda with directives spanning diverse policy areas, including the Single Market, the Schengen Area, and the Eurozone. These frameworks regulate the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people—essential features of life within the Union.
However, there are notable discrepancies even among the EU members. For instance, not all EU countries are part of the Schengen Area or the Eurozone. While most countries participate in the Schengen agreement, some—including Cyprus and Ireland—remain outside. Additionally, there are non-EU European nations—like Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland—that enjoy various levels of association with EU frameworks through agreements such as the European Economic Area and a series of bilateral deals.