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class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-icon--rotate-90 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg><span class="ecl-button__label" data-ecl-label="true">Next items</span></span></button><ul class="ecl-menu__list" data-ecl-menu-list><li class="ecl-menu__item" data-ecl-menu-item id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-0"><a href="/index_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Home" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-0-link" >Home</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--current ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-1"><a href="/principles-countries-history_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link ecl-menu__link--current" data-untranslated-label="Principles, countries, history" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-1-link" >Principles, countries, history</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-1-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/principles-and-values_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Principles and values" >Principles and values</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/facts-and-figures-european-union_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Facts and figures on the European Union " >Facts and figures on the European Union </a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-countries_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU countries" >EU countries</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU enlargement" >EU enlargement</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/history-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="History of the EU" >History of the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/symbols_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Symbols" >Symbols</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/languages_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Languages" >Languages</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-made-easy_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU made easy" >EU made easy</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/principles-countries-history_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-2"><a href="/institutions-law-budget_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Institutions, law, budget" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-2-link" >Institutions, law, budget</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-2-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Institutions and bodies" >Institutions and bodies</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/leadership_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Leadership " >Leadership </a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/law_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Law" >Law</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/budget_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Budget" >Budget</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/euro_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="The Euro" >The Euro</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/institutions-law-budget_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-3"><a href="/priorities-and-actions_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Priorities and actions" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-3-link" >Priorities and actions</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-3-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/priorities-and-actions/eu-priorities_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU priorities" >EU priorities</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/priorities-and-actions/actions-topic_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Actions by topic" >Actions by topic</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/priorities-and-actions/european-years_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="European years" >European years</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/priorities-and-actions/eu-support-ukraine_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU support for Ukraine" >EU support for Ukraine</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/priorities-and-actions_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use 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xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/living-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Living in the EU" >Living in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/travelling-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Travelling in the EU" >Travelling in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/participate-interact-vote_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Participate, interact, vote" >Participate, interact, vote</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/immigration-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Immigration to the EU" >Immigration to the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/working-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Working in the EU" >Working in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/doing-business-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Doing business in the EU" >Doing business in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/import-and-export_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Import and export" >Import and export</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/funding-grants-subsidies_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Funding, grants, subsidies" >Funding, grants, subsidies</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/public-contracts_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Public contracts" >Public contracts</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/studying-and-training-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Studying and training in the EU" >Studying and training in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/jobs-and-traineeships-eu-institutions_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Jobs and traineeships in EU institutions" >Jobs and traineeships in EU institutions</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/live-work-study_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-5"><a href="/news-and-events_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="News and events" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-5-link" >News and events</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-5-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/news-and-events/events_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Events" >Events</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/news-and-events/news-and-stories_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Featured news" >Featured news</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/news-and-events/press-releases_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Latest news from EU institutions and bodies" >Latest news from EU institutions and bodies</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/news-and-events_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-6"><a href="/contact-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Contact the EU" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-6-link" >Contact the EU</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-56965370-6-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/write-us_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Write to us" >Write to us</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/call-us_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Call us" >Call us</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/meet-us_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Meet us" >Meet us</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies/institutions-and-bodies-profiles_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Contact details: institutions, bodies and agencies" >Contact details: institutions, bodies and agencies</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/visit-european-union-institution_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Visit a European Union institution" >Visit a European Union institution</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/europe-and-worldwide-offices_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Europe and worldwide offices" >Europe and worldwide offices</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/make-complaint_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Make a complaint" >Make a complaint</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/press-contacts_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Press contacts" >Press contacts</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/social-media-channels_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Social media channels" >Social media channels</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/contact-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use 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data-inpage-navigation-source-area="h2, div.ecl-featured-item__heading" class="ecl-u-mb-l"> <article dir="ltr"> <div> <div class="navigation-lists-block"><div class="ecl-content-item-block"><div class="ecl-row"><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-4 "><article class="ecl-navigation-list__item ecl-navigation-list__item--no-border" ><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-navigation-list__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/principles-countries-history/principles-and-values_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" data-untranslated-label="Principles and values" data-level="1" >Principles and values</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description">The common principles and values that underlie life in the EU: freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law, promoting peace and stability.</div></div></article></div><div 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class="ecl-content-block ecl-navigation-list__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-countries_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" data-untranslated-label="EU countries" data-level="1" >EU countries</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description">Find out more about EU countries, their government and economy, their role in the EU, use of the euro, membership of the Schengen area or location on the map.</div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-4 "><article class="ecl-navigation-list__item ecl-navigation-list__item--no-border" ><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-navigation-list__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" data-untranslated-label="EU enlargement" data-level="1" >EU enlargement</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description">Enlargement happens when new countries join the European Union. This has taken place several times in the EU鈥檚 history, each time transforming both the EU and the countries that join. </div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-4 "><article class="ecl-navigation-list__item ecl-navigation-list__item--no-border" ><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-navigation-list__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/principles-countries-history/history-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" data-untranslated-label="History of the EU" data-level="1" >History of the EU</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description">The major events in the history of the EU, how the EU has developed over the decades, the men and women who have played a key role in the EU.</div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-4 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