The European Union is a group of 25 countries whose governments work
together. It's a bit like a club. To join you have to agree to follow
the rules and in return you get certain benefits. Each country has to
pay money to be a member. They mostly do this through taxes. The EU
uses the money to change the way people live and do business in
Europe. Countries join because they think that they will benefit from
the changes the EU makes. These are the five top aims of the EU: 1)
Promote economic and social progress through helping people to earn
enough money and be treated fairly.  2) Speak for the European Union
on the international scene. 3) Introduce European citizenship. A
frontier-free area has been created within which people, goods,
services and money can all move around freely.  4) Develop Europe as
an area of freedom, security and justice which will help Europeans to
live in safety, without the threat of war.  5) Maintain and build on
EU law with legislation that protects people's rights in the member
countries.