Spain celebrates a quarter of a century of membership of the European Union this year. Spain joined the union with enthusiasm in January 1986 and the country has embraced warmly the benefits of membership of this economic and political club for over 25 years.

The investment in infrastructure, agriculture and job creation through the structural, cohesion and agricultural policy funds has been immense. For example in the period 2000-2006 the total aid was in excess of 100,000 million euros. As a result Spain in 2011 enjoys a better transport infrastructure and improved agricultural output, which have carried forward the Spanish economy, notwithstanding the current worldwide economic crisis.

The Spanish are largely pro-Europe. According to the most recent Eurobarometer survey (2009) 67% of the Spanish population are optimistic about the future of the European Union and 71% think Spain has power and influence in the world. The EU is the institution that inspires the most trust (51%) and 46% of Spaniards feel very or quite European.

¡Feliz aniversario!

© Paul Whitelock

Tags:  European Union, EU, investment, aid, Spanish economy, Eurobarometer, paul whitelock, www.a1-solutions-spain.com