EU three

In today's world, EU three has become a topic of great relevance and interest to a wide spectrum of society. Both on a personal and professional level, EU three has sparked numerous debates and discussions about its implications and consequences. From its origins to the present day, EU three has made a significant impact on the way we perceive the world around us. Over the years, EU three has evolved and adapted to the changes and challenges of the environment, demonstrating its ability to remain relevant and current in a world in constant transformation. In this article, we will explore in detail the multiple aspects and dimensions of EU three, analyzing its influence in different areas of life and its role in shaping the present and the future.

For other uses, see EU3 (disambiguation).

The EU three, also known as the EU big three, EU triumvirate, EU trio or simply E3, refers to France, Germany, and Italy; the three large founding members of the European Union (EU).[1][2][3] These countries are generally regarded as the three most politically and economically influential EU member states, with the largest populations, highest military expenditures, and largest economies by nominal GDP, collectively accounting for over half of the EU's economic output.[4]

Before Brexit, the term was also used to refer to the grouping of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, especially during the negotiations with Iran from 2003.[5][6][7]

EU-3 (EU founding states)

Konrad Adenauer, founding father of the European Union and Chancellor of Germany (1949–1963)
Robert Schuman, founding father and Prime minister of France (1947–1948)
Alcide De Gasperi, founding father and Prime minister of Italy (1945–1953)

Activities

Germany, France and Italy were part of the original Inner Six founders of the EU along with Benelux nations.

Negotiations for greater integration in the EU

Determined to keep the European project intact in the wake of the UK's vote to leave the European Union in 2016, France, Germany and Italy called for greater integration in various trilateral summits in Berlin, Paris and Ventotene.[8][9][10] More recently France, Germany and Italy have agreed a common position about the Paris climate agreement[11] they have led a draft EU law to restrain Chinese acquisitions of European firms and technologies[12] and they lead the EU sanctions on North Korea.[13]

Statistics

EU big three
Country Population Votes in the Council (pre-Brexit) Contribution to EU budget MEPs NATO Quint G7/G8/G20 P5 G4 nations Uniting for Consensus
 France 66,616,416 13.05% 17,303,107,859€ 16.44% 74 Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN
 Germany 80,716,000 16.06% 22,218,438,941€ 21.11% 96 Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN
 Italy 60,782,668 12.00% 14,359,479,157€ 13.64% 73 Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY

EU-3 (largest economies in the EU until UK left)

The UK joined the European communities in 1973 and voted to leave in 2016, formally withdrawing from the EU in 2020.

Negotiations with Iran

EU-3 ministers and Iran's top negotiator Hassan Rouhani, Sa'dabad Palace, Tehran, October 2003

In 2003, France, Germany and the UK launched negotiations attempting to limit the Iranian nuclear program, which led to the Tehran Declaration of 21 October 2003 and the voluntary Paris Agreement of 15 November 2004.[14][15][16]

EU 3 + 3, more commonly referred to as the E3+3,[17] refers to a grouping which includes the EU-3 and China, Russia, and the United States. It was coined when these states joined the EU diplomatic efforts with Iran in 2006. In the United States and Russia, it is more commonly known as P5+1, which refers to the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.[18]

Italy took part in a number of these meetings between 2006 and 2007.[19][20] In 2014, under the request of the Italian PM Matteo Renzi, Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini was named High Representative of the EU as the negotiations approached a conclusion and came to an end with the elaboration of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2015.[21]

See also

Part of a series of articles on
UK membership
of the European Union
(1973–2020)
Accession
1975 referendum
Treaty amendments
Single European Act, 1986 (UK ratification)
Maastricht Treaty, 1992 (UK ratification)
Treaty of Amsterdam, 1997 (UK ratification)
Treaty of Nice, 2001 (UK ratification)
Treaty of Lisbon, 2007 (UK ratification)
MEPs for UK constituencies
Members 1973–1979 (elected by parliament)
Members 1979–1984 (1979 election)
Members 1984–1989 (1984 election)
Members 1989–1994 (1989 election)
Members 1994–1999 (1994 election)
Members 1999–2004 (1999 election)
Members 2004–2009 (2004 election)
Members 2009–2014 (2009 election)
Members 2014–2019 (2014 election)
Members 2019–2020 (2019 election)
Officials and bodies
Issues and events
Withdrawal

References

  1. ^ Herszenhorn, David M. (16 June 2022). "Rhetoric and reality collide as France, Germany, Italy back Ukraine's EU bid". Politico. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  2. ^ "EU divided on answer to Brexit 'wake up call'". Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  3. ^ "Brexit: Germany, France, Italy vow no talks before Britain makes formal decision on EU - Brexit: UK EU Referendum - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  4. ^ "These are the EU countries with the largest economies". World Economic Forum. Archived from the original on 2025-04-04. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  5. ^ Bretherton, Charlotte; John Vogler (2006). The European Union as a Global Actor. Routledge. p. 174. ISBN 9780415282451.
  6. ^ Jovanovic, Miroslav (11 September 2002). European Economic Integration: Limits and Prospects. Routledge. ISBN 9781134866571. Retrieved 17 June 2017 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Capet, A. (10 October 2006). Britain, France and the Entente Cordiale Since 1904. Springer. ISBN 9780230207004. Retrieved 17 June 2017 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ "Merkel besucht Renzi Wie das Europa-Tandem zum Trike wurde". FAZ.NET. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  9. ^ "Europe Is Already Plotting A Future Without Britain". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  10. ^ "Italy joins Europe's big league, but is it primed to fail?". 1 September 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  11. ^ "Germany, France, Italy: Paris Agreement 'cannot be renegotiated'". Evening Standard. June 1, 2017.
  12. ^ "EU drafting law to restrain Chinese takeovers | DW | 28.01.2018". DW.COM.
  13. ^ says, Johan Stavers (September 4, 2017). "Germany, France, Italy seek tougher EU sanctions on North Korea".
  14. ^ Peter Crail, Maria Lorenzo Sobrado (1 December 2004). "IAEA Board Welcomes EU-Iran Agreement: Is Iran Providing Assurances or Merely Providing Amusement?". NTI. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  15. ^ Kjell Engelbrekt, Jan Hallenberg (2010). European Union and Strategy: An Emerging Actor. Routledge. pp. 94–97. ISBN 9781134106790. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  16. ^ Joachim Koops, Gjovalin Macaj (2014). The European Union as a Diplomatic Actor. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9781137356864. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  17. ^ "Nuclear talks between Iran and E3+3 to continue in November". Foreign & Commonwealth Office. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  18. ^ "You say P5+1, I say E3+3". Archived from the original on 5 September 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  19. ^ "Perché l'Italia non partecipa ai negoziati con l'Iran?". Linkiesta. October 16, 2013.
  20. ^ "...such meetings took place in Berlin and New York..."[permanent dead link]
  21. ^ Greco, Ettore; Ronzitti, Natalino (September 30, 2016). Rapporto sulla politica estera italiana: il governo Renzi: Edizione 2016. Edizioni Nuova Cultura. ISBN 9788868127138 – via Google Books.

E3 meaning for 3 strongest countries in European Union: France, Germany and UK (left in 2020 by Brexit)